Dental implants or implant roots are materials shaped like tooth roots made from titanium, which is a material compatible with the human body. They are used for embedding into the jawbone to support fixed and removable dentures. Currently, dental implants are considered one of the best methods for tooth replacement.
Components of dental implants
- The implant body or fixture embedded into the bone: This part resembles a screw or bolt that is embedded into the jawbone to integrate with the bone, functioning like a tooth root.
- Implant abutment: The connecting part between the implant body and the prosthetic dental part, made from titanium or ceramic, acting as the tooth portion.
- Prosthetic component: The denture part such as crowns, bridges, or removable dentures attached to the implant abutment using dental cement or screws.
Advantages of dental implants
- Increases confidence and improves quality of life
- Provides the most natural-looking and functional teeth close to natural teeth
- No need to grind adjacent teeth
- Allows good chewing ability
- No speech problems compared to other types of dentures
- Improves comfort and stability of removable dentures
- Prevents loss of adjacent teeth and bone
- Offers the most natural and aesthetic appearance
- Enhances oral health
- Durable and permanent
- When combined with removable dentures, eliminates problems of denture movement during talking or eating
Types of dental implants
Dental implants are mainly divided into 3 types: Conventional, Immediate implant, and Immediate loaded implant. The choice depends on the oral condition, patient needs, and dentist’s experience.
Conventional Implant
This involves implant placement with general steps: first, the dentist performs diagnosis, impressions, and X-rays; in some cases, a CT scan is also required for treatment planning. Then, the patient is scheduled for minor surgery to embed the implant into the jawbone. After implant placement, a healing period of about 3-4 months is needed for the implant to fully integrate with the bone, depending on bone quality. Afterward, the dentist will attach the prosthetic tooth to the implant, which usually takes 1-4 weeks depending on the type of prosthesis.
Treatment limitations are minimal if well planned. The most common limitation is insufficient bone volume at the implant site, which may require bone grafting or in some cases, bone grafting may not be possible.
Immediate implant
This is the placement of an implant immediately after tooth extraction. The advantage is reducing steps and treatment time, minimizing bone resorption, and lowering the risk of gum recession. Suitable teeth for this method are usually front teeth or premolars, with no pathology at the root tip of the extracted tooth and sufficient bone volume to support the implant.
Immediate loaded implant
This involves attaching the prosthetic part, such as a crown, either temporary or permanent, to the implant immediately after implant placement. This significantly shortens treatment time and provides aesthetics since the patient has teeth at all times. However, this method has many limitations.
Types of prosthetic components
Dentists can use dental implants to replace teeth in various ways, such as replacing a single tooth.
- For cases with only 1 or 2 missing teeth, fixed dentures can be done by either implants or bridges. Implants are considered the most successful method and have advantages over bridges, such as no need to grind adjacent teeth, easier cleaning, and bridges involve connected crowns, so if one tooth has a problem, the entire bridge must be removed. Also, in weak teeth, bridges may damage the supporting teeth.
- For multiple missing teeth in different locations, implants can support crowns. For several adjacent missing teeth, implants can support bridges, reducing the number of implants needed or accommodating areas where the number of implants cannot match the number of missing teeth.
- For many missing teeth, implants can help stabilize removable dentures, eliminating the need for denture clasps or shortening the denture base.
- For full-mouth tooth loss, implants can support both fixed and removable dentures. Fixed dentures require 4, 6, or 8 implants per jaw, while removable dentures require 2-4 implants. The methods and complexity vary.
How to choose the right dental implant
There are many brands of dental implants on the market. Choosing the right type or brand should consider:
- Continuous research and development
- Widely used worldwide
- Established in the market for a long time
If you encounter cheap implants, to determine if they are worth it, check if reputable clinics or hospitals commonly use them. If not, be cautious, especially with unfamiliar brands unknown to general dentists in Thailand. Such brands may be like imported cars of unknown brands that cannot be repaired easily and require exclusive service from the seller. Moreover, brands that fail to establish in Thailand may withdraw, leaving no service or spare parts, causing difficult problems that dentists often face.
Who should and should not get dental implants
Anyone who has lost natural teeth can receive implant treatment regardless of age, but it is not recommended for children under 18 because their jawbones are still growing. Pregnant women should wait until after childbirth. Patients with certain conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, cancer patients undergoing radiation to the face and jaw, severe periodontitis, leukemia, or hyperthyroidism should receive additional treatment before implant placement. Patients on immunosuppressants or heavy smokers may have reduced treatment success. Patients with schizophrenia, severe arthritis, or muscle control problems who cannot maintain oral hygiene should not undergo implant treatment.
When do doctors consider dental implants
The key factor is that the patient wants the most natural denture, desires confident smiling and speaking, good chewing ability, or needs to replace remaining teeth that are weak and unsuitable as abutments for other dentures. Even patients with unsuccessful removable dentures can benefit greatly from implants.
Currently, dental implants are considered the best method for replacing missing teeth, whether 1-2 teeth or to improve the effectiveness of removable dentures. Implants play a role in almost all denture cases.
Preparation for dental implant treatment
Patients undergoing implant treatment must be thoroughly examined and evaluated by a specialist dentist to prevent future complications that are difficult to fix. The dentist must have knowledge and expertise to select the appropriate implant, understand chewing function, and prosthetic procedures. Patients with underlying diseases or on medication should inform the dentist. Importantly, patients should maintain good oral hygiene before treatment.
Implant lifespan and care
Dental implants are made from highly durable titanium. Their lifespan depends on the patient’s oral health care. Implants do not decay but can develop gum inflammation if not properly cared for. Care is similar to natural teeth: brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups. With proper care, implants can last a lifetime.
