A Wholesome Smile: Dental Implants Fill the Gap

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A Wholesome Smile: Dental Implants Fill the Gap
Dr. Alan A. Jeroff, Dentist
Canadian Healthstyle Online
By the age of 28, the average British Columbian is missing at least one tooth.
At one time, the only solutions to replace missing teeth included dentures and fixed bridgesǃÓtreatment plans focusing solely on the presence or absence of natural teeth.
Today, however, dental implants are becoming a popular choice for replacing one or more teeth.
Few developments have had the positive effect on the clinical practice of dentistry as endosteal (within the bone) dental implants. The scope of treatments provided patients has significantly broadened as a result.
Implants act as the root of a missing tooth. TheyǃÙre usually around 5 mm to 7 mm in diameter and about the same length as a small fingernail. Generally made of titanium, implants are surgically placed in the jawbone under the gum tissue. After the bone has integrated with the implant, posts are secured to the implants to provide strong anchors for the artificial replacement teeth (usually porcelain). These teeth may then be permanently attached, while others will snap or clip on to a bar supported by implants. Long-term studies show implants lasting well past 10 years, perhaps up to 20.
Patients requesting implants range from car accident victims to scrapping hockey playersǃÓor just those with a fondness for sugar.
A big advantage to implants over bridgework is that they donǃÙt require the alteration of healthy teeth. In order to insert a bridge to replace one tooth, the dentist needs to whittle down two good teeth. Most people would prefer to avoid this.
A disadvantage to implants is the expense. Dental plans and third party insurance often donǃÙt cover implants. Just to put an implant into the bone runs to about $1000. Add $2000 to put an artificial tooth on top. ThereǃÙs no volume discount: additional teeth cost $2000 each. It varies in the individual, but as a rule of thumb, one implant can support about two or three teeth.
And not everyone is a candidate. While implants are generally successful, rare complications can occur in the lower jaw. This is because of the nature of the anatomy of the area and the physiology of the bone. The lower jaw doesnǃÙt have as much blood supply as the upper jaw and sometimes can be very thinǃÓtoo thin for the small spike-like implants.
Another disadvantage to implants is they require special care. Patients need to be almost more meticulous with their implants than with their regular teeth; they need more regular cleanings and special cleaning tools to avoid scratching the dental work.
The highest patient satisfaction is typically seen in those who have lost all their natural teeth. Implants and artificial teeth can affect the look of the faceǃÓthe cheeks fill out, the lips are properly supported. A patient can have renewed confidence in facing the world.
Most people are attracted to dental implants because of their stability, but they also have the advantage of looking more natural than dentures.
And patients can go about their daily lives and even sleep while wearing their new teeth in perfect comfort.