What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are medical devices surgically implanted into the jaw to restore a person’s ability to chew or their appearance. They provide support for artificial (fake) teeth, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures.

If a person loses a tooth or multiple teeth due to trauma (Accidents), dental caries or periodontal disease, the tooth may be replaced with a dental implant.

Dental implant surgery is a procedure that replaces tooth roots with either a titanium screw or a Zirconia (Ceramic) screw.

Dental implants typically are the ideal option for a missing tooth or teeth that’s an alternative to removable complete or partial dentures or bridgework.

In general, dental implants may be possible if,

1. one or more missing teeth.
2. The jawbone that’s reached full growth (Not under 18 years of age).
3. Have adequate bone to secure the implants or are able to have a bone graft (Adding artificial bone).
4. Healthy oral tissues.
5. Healthy oral hygiene habits.
6. Don’t have health conditions that will affect bone healing.
7. Are unable or unwilling to wear dentures.
8. Want to improve your speech.
9. Are willing to commit several months to the process.
10. Don’t smoke or chew tobacco.

Like any surgery, it poses some health risks. Risks may include:

1. Infection at the implant site.
2. Injury or damage to surrounding structures, such as other teeth or blood vessels.
3. Nerve damage, which can cause pain, numbness or tingling in your natural teeth, gums, lips or chin.
4. Sinus problems, when dental implants placed in the upper jaw protrude into one of your sinus cavities.

Because dental implants require one or more surgical procedures, you must have a thorough evaluation to prepare for the process, including a:

1. Dental examination.
   • Intraoral Examination of entire dentition.

• • Digital Periapical Radiographs (Small Intraoral X-Rays).

• • Digital Panoramic Radiography.

• • Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (3-D Radiograph)

1. • • At Al Bahri Dental and Orthodontic Center, we made it a policy for the safety of the patient, and for the ease of the doctor that every Implant surgery is done with a CBCT of the Jaws.

• • Casts of the teeth or 3D scan of the teeth

2.Medical history.

• • Thorough review of any medical issues
  • Review of any surgeries or procedures that were done within the past 5 years.
  • Any medications taken currently or previously, even if it is over the counter supplements.

Typically, most dental implants are done under local anesthesia as these days there has been many advances in technology and equipment that makes the surgical aspect pleasant for the patient and decrease chairtime.

Alternatively, the surgery may be done under IV sedation or general anesthesia under hospital conditions.

Al Bahri Dental and Orthodontic Center is in partnership with Specialized Medical Care Hospital, where we perform any of the complex procedures under the care of our medical doctor colleagues to provide the patient with the most comfort.

Dental implants involves multiple steps, including:

1. Damaged tooth removal
2. Bone preparation (Bone grafting), If lacking bone for the implant to sit in.
3. Dental implant placement
4. Bone growth and healing (typically 2-3 months).
5. Abutment placement
6. Artificial tooth placement

The entire process can take from 2 to 6 months from start to finish depending on the case.

1. If the tooth is already missing or removed. (Total time: Approximately 2-3 months)

• Visit 1: Comprehensive Examination (Including CBCT and Digital Scan).
• Visit 2: Dental Implant Surgery.
• Visit 3: Implant Scan for final prosthesis (After 2-3 Months).
• Visit 4: Implant Prosthesis Insertion.

2. If the tooth is already missing or removed, minimal bone present (Total time: Approximately 9-11 months)

• Visit 1: Comprehensive Examination (Including CBCT and Digital Scan).
• Visit 2: Bone grafting procedure (healing period 6-8 months)
• Visit 3: Dental Implant Surgery (healing period 3 months)
• Visit 4: Implant Scan for final prosthesis.
• Visit 5: Implant Prosthesis Insertion.

3. If damaged tooth is already present. (Total time: Approximately 3-4 months)

• Visit 1: Comprehensive Examination (Including CBCT and Digital Scan).
• Visit 2: Immediate Implant Placement (Tooth removal and Implant placement in the same day).
• Visit 3: Implant Scan for final prosthesis (After 3-4 Months).
• Visit 4: Implant Prosthesis Insertion.

4. If damaged tooth is already present and immediate implant not possible. (Total time: Approximately 6 months)

• Visit 1: Comprehensive Examination (Including CBCT and Digital Scan).
• Visit 2: Tooth Removal (healing period 3 months).
• Visit 3: Dental Implant Surgery (healing period 2-3 months)
• Visit 4: Implant Scan for final prosthesis.
• Visit 5: Implant Prosthesis Insertion.

Whether you have dental implant surgery in one stage or multiple stages, you may experience some of the typical discomforts associated with any type of dental surgery, such as:

• Swelling of your gums and face
• Bruising of your skin and gums
• Pain at the implant site
• Minor bleeding

You may need pain medications or antibiotics after dental implant surgery. Typically patients experience more swelling after any type of bone augmentation.

Most dental implants are successful. However sometimes, the bone does not integrate into the implant causing some complications. Most commonly, smoking may contribute to implant failure and complications.

If the bone fails to fuse sufficiently, the implant is removed, the bone is cleaned up, and you can try the procedure again in about three months.

You can help your dental work — and remaining natural teeth — last longer if you:

• Oral hygiene.

• • Brushing and flossing is critical for the future success of any implant procedure.
  • There exist specially designed brushes for implants teeth.

• Regular dental checkups.

• • At Al Bahri Dental and Orthodontic Center, we recommend 6-month visits to check up on any implants and assess any cavitations present.
• Avoid Certain Habits.
  • Avoid eating and chewing on any hard foods
  • Avoid tobacco and caffeine products with dark staining potential
  • Fabrication of an occlusal guard if you grind your teeth.

After healing of the bone and gums after implant placement, the doctor either needs to go through a minor procedure of exposing the implant that is under the gums or not, depending on the day of the implant placement.

An impression needs to be made of the implant, either with impression material or through the digital scanner.

At Albahri Dental and Orthodontic Center, we have been fully digital since January 2021, where we had created the most seamless protocols for efficiency and predictability.

Absolutely! We sometimes perform Computer-guided Implant Surgeries, where we pre-plan the implant position in a software and we generate a 3D printed surgical guide that minimizes time and extensive gum opening.

The device looks like the image below.

References

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/about/pac-20384622
2. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/dental-devices/dental-implants-what-you-should-know

Written by:

Dr. Rami Albahri DDS, MMSc.

Prosthodontics and Implant Surgeon.

Harvard & NYU Educated.

Medical Director.

For consultations contact us

Abu Dhabi – +971 2 575 1856

Al Ain – +971 3 7643273

Email: info@albahridental.com