Dental Implant Frequently Asked Questions Part 2

More of the most commonly asked Dental Implant questions asked and answered:

Is there an age limit to implants?

For the most part there are no age limitations when it comes to dental implants, however they are not ideal for young patients. Implants are placed in the jawbone, and younger patients that have not finished growing, can experience additional bone growth in this area, which can compromise an implant. Age itself is not a deterrent; rather bone growth as well as the state of your health will determine whether or not you are a proper candidate for the procedure.

What is the success rate for implants and are there any guarantees?

Success with implants can never be guaranteed, but the treatment has been extensively tested and patients, in general, experience a 90-95% success rate over a 5 to 10 year period. That being said, some implants have been known to last more than 30 years. Minor maintenance may be needed from time to time, but if the proper aftercare is taken, patients can experience long-term success.

Are there any known complications?

When it comes to surgical procedures, there are always potential risks and complications, and dental implants are no exception. The most common complications with implants are the failure of the implant to successfully integrate with the jawbone, and damage caused to surrounding teeth. Instances of these complications are rare, and with careful pre-treatment planning, can be kept to a minimum.

Immediate failure of implants is most often due to an unfavorable bone pattern or the presence of infection. When this occurs, the site can often be left to heal for a few months, after which the implant can be successfully reinserted. Implants have also been known to fail after several years of initial success. This is most commonly due to too much stress being placed on the implant, or an insufficient number of implants initially placed (sometimes done to save on cost). Through appropriate assessment and treatment however, this risk can be minimized.

Another complication often associated with dental implants is a condition known as perimplantitis. Similar to periodontitis (gum disease), this condition is for the most part painless and is associated with inflammation of the gums and progressive loss of bone at the implant site. Daily brushing can prevent this, as well as frequent implant cleaning and regular visits to your dentist.

Do you have more questions about dental implants? Check back soon for our third installment of frequently asked dental implant questions.

Dental Implant Frequently Asked Questions – Part 1

Dental implants are a safe and effective long lasting solution for men and women who are looking to replace broken, damaged, decayed or missing teeth. While this treatment can provide patients with a naturally beautiful smile, the procedure can be quite involved, and it is recommended that patients are well informed before undergoing treatment.

Here, some of the most commonly asked dental implant questions are asked and answered.

What are implants?

Dental implants are titanium alloy posts that are designed to act as a tooth’s root. These ‘roots’ are used to support crowns, fixed bridges or dentures. Titanium is a strong, lightweight material that effectively bonds with the bone of the jaw, making it both safe and long lasting.

What are the advantages over conventional tooth replacements?

Bridges, crowns and dentures can provide patients with adequate tooth replacement, but implants provide comfortable, stable, long-lasting support. Providing stable support for dental prosthetics allows patients to speak and chew with ease. Because implants do not rely on support from surrounding teeth, patients also see an increase in overall oral health.

Is everyone a candidate for dental implants?

Simply having missing teeth does not automatically qualify a patient for dental implants. There are specific criteria that need to be looked at before a patient can be considered for implantation:

General oral health. The condition of the remainder of a patients teeth and gums needs to be stable in order for dental implants to be successful. Areas of the mouth that may have gum disease, broken teeth or dental decay will need to be treated before an implant can be placed.

Oral health maintenance. Will a patient be able to maintain their oral health?  An implant’s success rate will depend on the patient’s ability to keep their teeth and gums clean. Your dentist will provide you with a suggested cleaning schedule and will advise you on how to care for your implants once they are placed.

Sufficient quantity and quality of bone. Implant success relies most on the quality and quantity of bone present in the jaw. Without the right amount of bone, placing implants can be difficult. If the sufficient amount of bone is not present, there is a range of techniques that can be used to increase bone quantity for successful implantation.

Do you have additional questions about dental implants?  Check back soon for our next installment of dental implant frequently asked questions.

Bone Augmentation for Dental Implants

Dental implants are a revolutionary procedure used to replace missing teeth, but unfortunately, not all men and women are candidates for the treatment. Dental implants, whether traditional or mini, require a certain amount of bone in the jaw for successful implantation—both the quality and quantity of bone material will determine overall success. If patients are not initially candidates because they do not have enough bone in their jaw, there are alternatives. One of which is bone augmentation.

Bone augmentation for dental implants allows patients that are not candidates to undergo implant treatments. Due to advancements in medical and dental technology, today there are several augmentation treatments available to increase bone in the jaw.  These include endogenous bone grafting, which is bone taken directly from the patient (from a different area of the body), cultivated bone tissue, and synthetic bone grafting.

There are pros and cons to each procedure and patients success rates will vary based on the individual. Endogenous bone grafting is often the most successful, however the transplanted bone should not exceed a certain size. This is because when the bone is transplanted it contains different cells. As soon as it is removed from its original location, it is cut off from its nutrient supply. Endogenous bone will successfully transplant when the block is small, as nutrients will reach the transplanted bone faster and allow for higher success rate.

Cultivated bone tissue and synthetic bone augmentation can be successful in patients, but both have a higher rate of rejection. Because of this, the overall state of a patient’s oral health, including remaining teeth, as well as the dental objective will ultimately determine which type of bone augmentation procedure to use for dental implants.

Discussing all of your options will allow you to determine the best course of treatment as there are often procedures and treatments that accompany bone grafting, in order to increase success rate. Bone augmentation for dental implants is not something that will work for everyone, but there are other treatments available that can help you to replace missing teeth. Partial and full dental prosthetics are viable alternatives and help patients to achieve a natural smile.

If you are not currently a candidate for dental implants, find out if bone augmentation procedures can help you to enhance your smile.