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| Who
is suitable for dental implants? |
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Some
people are interested in getting implants to replace teeth
that have been missing for a number of years. Others may
need implants to replace teeth that were extracted recently
because of severe decay, periodontal (gum) disease, infection
of injury.
In some cases, the teeth can be extracted and the implant
placed at the same time.
However, if you have a severe infection in a tooth root
or your gums, your dentist may wait a few months after
removing the teeth to allow the area to heal.
Not all people are good candidates to get dental implants. A person who is most suitable
is someone who is in good health, has healthy gums, and
has enough bone in his of her jaw to allow an implant
to be placed in the jawbone. To determine if you are suitable
to get an implant, you will have to be examined by a dental
professional. |
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| Some people
may not be good candidates for implants. They include: |
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• Young patients whose jawbones have not developed completely.
• Pregnant women.
• Heavy smokers – Smoking impedes healing in the mouth
and can reduce the likelihood that implants will be successful.
• Alcohol or substance abusers.
• Patients who have received high – dose irradiation of
their head or neck.
• People with chronic diseases or systemic problems, including
high blood pressure, diabetes, connective – tissue diseases,
hemophilia and significant immune deficiencies, among
others – You still may be a good candidate for implants
even if you have
one of these conditions. It depends on the extent and
severity of the condition.
• Patients who take certain medications such as steroids
or drugs that suppress the immune system.
• People who severely grind or clench their teeth – These
habits can place too much pressure on the implants and
increase the
risk of failure. |
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| Do you need
to have a healthy mouth? |
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When
you first enquire about dental implants it is often in
response to an awareness of ongoing dental problems or
the recent loss of teeth. Each of these problems will
need to be diagnosed and treated in a logical manner,
often placing implants in order to establish healthier
conditions.
Although it is tempting to focus on the more glamorous
aspects of teeth supported by implants, basic dental health,
which includes the treatment of gum disease, repair of
decay and the elimination of abscesses will be just as
important of the long-term success of your treatment.
If you are aware of bad breath, loose teeth, or have noticed
excessive bleeding,
particularly when your teeth are cleaned professionally,
you may have gum problems.
Periodontal (gum) disease is a major cause of bone loss
and with reduced bone;
dental implant treatment can be more complicated. |
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| Will I feel
pain during or after the procedure ? |
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Routine
dental X-rays show large amounts of detail, but in only
two dimensions. From these views it is generally possible
to judge the height of bone available for implant
placement, however, more advanced imaging techniques are
sometimes needed to determine the equally important bone
width, which can otherwise only be estimated from clinical
examination.
Dental CT scans - There are now a number of advanced x-ray
techniques which allow your jaw bone to be looked at in
all three-dimensions. The most accurate and widely available
is known as the CT (computed tomography) scans. Images
obtained by CT scanning will normally be able to show
all of the information required about your bone, including
quantity and quality, but most importantly the presence
of anatomical structures that must be avoided. |
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| Will the
tooth need any special care or additional treatment ? |
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implant is placed, you may need to have the bone in the area
built up to increase the chance of success. This is a common
procedure called bone grafting or augmentation. You may have the bone graft done and get the implants at the
some time, but your dental specialist may decide to do the bone-graft
procedure first and give the bone time to heal before placing
the implant. If the bone graft is done first, you will need
4 to 12 months to heal before having the implants placed in
you jawbone. However, you can wear your dentures or bridge during
this time, so you won’t be without teeth. |
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Sinus augmentation – In the upper
jaw above the back teeth, it is possible to increase the height
of bone available by creating new bone in the sinus. This procedure
is called a ‘sinus augmentation’. A skilled surgeon can deliver
very predictable results in this location and without the general
success of this technique many patients would be unable to have
implants in a part of the mouth where teeth are so commonly
missing. |
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Onlay grafting – There are many
ways in which bone can be added to, however one simple concept
is to take a piece of gone from somewhere else and secure it
as an ‘onlay graft’ to a deficient area. The new piece of bone
will slowly join to the underlying region and when healed and
mature, and implant can be placed in a more favorable position. |
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How long does treatment take?
The time frame for completing the implant
and crown depends on many factors. When the traditional method of
placing an implant is used, the shortest time frame for a complete
implant (including surgeries and placing the permanent crown) is about
four months in the lower jaw and four to six months in the upper jaw.
However, the process can last up to a year of more, particularly if
bone needs to be built up first.
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