What are tooth implants? The tooth implant is a structure that is used to replace a missing tooth. These are the screw-like devices that are inserted into the jawbone by a surgeon. The tooth implant acts as an anchor for the artificial tooth called a crown. The artificial tooth is connected to the tooth implant by a device called an abutment. Implants are the replacement of the tooth roots. Tooth implants provide a stronger foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth. The advantages of tooth implants include improved appearance, improved speech, and improved ease for the patient. Types of tooth implants There are three main types of tooth implant: endosteal, subperiosteal, and transosteal. Endosteal tooth implants: Endosteal tooth implants are the most common type. It involves the piercing of only one cortical plate of the maxilla and mandible. A dental surgeon embeds these tooth implants in the jawbone, and each can hold one or more artificial teeth. Subperiosteal tooth implants: The subperiosteal tooth implant consists of an implant substructure and superstructure where the custom cast frame is placed directly beneath the periosteum of the jawbone. A dental surgeon affixes a subperiosteal type of tooth implant on top of the jawbone. The surgeons choose this type of implant for people who do not have much height to their jawbone. Transosteal tooth implants: Transosteal tooth implants are the type that crosses through both of the cortical plates. Types based on materials used for tooth implants Tooth implants can be divided into three types depending on the material. These include metal tooth implants, ceramic tooth implants, and polymer tooth implants.

Why there is a need for a tooth implant Some of the indications of needing tooth implants include the following: *In the partially edentulous patients who have intermediate gaps or free-end edentulism. *When a patient is not satisfied with the existing unstable and non-retentive conventional complete dental prosthesis. *To preserve the existing removable partial prostheses. *To improve the maintenance of bone in an edentulous site. *When there's a need to decrease the sensitivity of the adjacent teeth. *To reduce the risk of dental caries and endodontic problems of adjacent teeth. Procedure of getting a tooth implant Initial Consultation: In order to get a tooth implant, the patient will first have to undergo a consultation with a prosthodontist before initiation of any procedure. Comprehensive Examination: The dentist will first take the medical and dental history of the patient, and then he will thoroughly examine the patient’s mouth. Then the dentist creates the impression of the patient's gums and teeth. X-Ray and CT Scan: The dentist will take the dental x-rays of the jaw, particularly the area where the tooth or teeth are missing. A CT Scan will assist the dentist in determining how much jawbone is available for implantation. Bone Grafting: It is done if there’s not enough bone present in the jaw to hold the implant. Initial Incision: A small part of the gums is cut where the implant will be placed (the tooth socket that the gum tissue is covering). The incision is necessary to gain access to the tooth socket where the missing teeth used to be. Cutting and Drilling: After the small incision in the gum tissue has been made, the dentist will then drill right into the jawbone. This is done to place a metal implant or post itself into the hole in your bone. After implantation is complete, the incision on the gums is then sutured and allowed to heal. Healing Period and Second Procedure: After three to six months of healing has taken place, the dentist will then proceed with the second part of the traditional tooth implant procedure. This step involves making a new cut to expose the implant. From that area, a healing cap or collar is then screwed atop the stud. Healing Cap Removal: The healing cap is designed to induce healing of the surrounding gums. After a few weeks have passed, the healing cap is taken off. Abutment and Crown Placement: The abutment is now put into place to be a supportive element to the final crown. The placement of an abutment is necessary to ensure a tight fit for the crown so that it won’t easily get dislodged due to biting and chewing forces.

Recovery after tooth implant The recovery procedure is a crucial part of ensuring that the tooth implants bond with the mouth properly. The patient must allow the proper healing so that the implants can do their job when it comes time. In the first 24 hours, gums and teeth will be sore and extremely tender. The patient may experience a lot of swelling, bleeding, and even pain during the first 24 hours after the surgery. The pain and swelling start reducing after that time period. Generally, the oral surgeon will prescribe the painkillers immediately after the surgery to help manage the pain. The use of an ice pack or cold compress can help with the swelling and pain too. Because the wound was open and will continue to heal, the patients must keep their mouth extremely clean. If the teeth or gums aren’t kept clean properly, they are likely to cause accumulation of bacteria which could cause an infection within the wound.