Dental Implants

What is a dental implant?

Dental implant is a structure made of titanium which is surgically inserted into the bone as a foundation of the tooth.

It is in the shape of tooth root. It is left inside the bone to Osseo integrate for 3 - 6 months. It means that a direct contact is established between the bone and the surface of the implant. Once secured, it can be used as a support to attach the crown and replace a missing tooth.

How is the dental implant placed?

There are 3 different ways of placing an implant

•  One-stage.

  • In this method the implant is placed below the soft tissue along with a metal attachment.This projects into the oral cavity. After 3 months a crown can be put on top of it.

• Two-stage

  • In 1st stage, implant body is placed below the soft tissue until bone healing occurs. After 3 – 6 months a second stage procedure is done where in a metal attachment is attached to the implant. Finally, after healing has happened, an abutment (A portion of implant system which retains a prosthesis (crown / cap) is attached to the implant. Abutment gives retention to the dental cap / crown.

•  Immediate procedure

  • In this the implant body and prosthetic attachment are placed together. And a temporary crown is given.

What type of crowns(cap) can be put on the implant?

This abutment can be

•   Screw retained – where a screw is used to retain the cap to implant

• Cement retained – where a cement is used to cement the cap to the implant

What to expect during the implant placement surgery

• Local anaesthesia is given to the patient.

• A flap is elevated at the site where dental implant is to be placed taking care of all the appropriate flap designing.

• A pilot hole is drilled at the site.

• X-Ray is taken to conform the position and angulation of implant.

• If satisfactory, then sequential drilling is done with wider drills, which is lesser than the width of the implant. This is done with continues irrigation to preserve the bone. Bone tap might be used if the cortical bone is too dense. 

• Implant is placed in the bone.

• Bone grafting is done to replace missing bone if indicated.

• Finally, the flap is re-approximated and sutured back.

This is minimally painful even during the post-surgical phase. Antibiotics and painkiller medications are prescribed.Patient is recalled after 7 days for check-up /stitch removal.

What happens after 3 months of implant healing?

In the second phase which is normally 3-6 months later.

• Implant top is exposed again with minimal surgery.

• A healing abutment is placed to guide the soft tissue well around it.This takes about 10-15 days.
• Then the impression of the teeth and implant is taken to record the position of implant.
• The lab then makes the Dental crown/cap which can be attached to the implant.

What is the cost of dental implant in Bangalore?

There are multiple systems available for implants ranging from ₹15000- ₹60000 per implant. The difference in the price is because of the company and the quality of the implant. Always ask the clinic which system they use before finalising the implant for yourself.

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Is implant placement painful?

Placement of implants is done after giving anaesthesia, so it is a painless procedure.

Post operative antibiotics and painkillers are advised so that the post op healing is smooth.

What is the advantage of Dental implant over bridges?

Dental bridges can also replace a missing tooth. They take support from adjacent teeth. The adjacent teeth need to be trimmed, which can damage them.  Over time food and micro-organisms can enter the tooth from the margin between the tooth and crown and eventually cause caries. This might need a root canal in the future.

Advantages of dental Implant are:

•  Dental implant takes the support from the bone, there is no damage to the adjacent teeth.

• Dental implant also preserves the bone as the bone receives direct proprioception from the chewing forces.

• Implant also maintains the oft tissue and prevents it from recession.

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