About Dental Implants
Dental implants have become the preferred choice of treatment for missing teeth which includes aesthetics, convenience and durability. Plus there is the fact that implants look and behave in a similar way to your natural teeth.
This section contains all the information you need about dental implants. Here at Caliber we only use the highest quality materials and our treatments are based on the latest technology and research. Our skilled implant dentists are committed to excellence and collectively place thousands of dental implants every year. This section is organised as follows:
- What are dental implants?
- Why dental implants?
- Am I a suitable candidate for dental implants?
- Benefits of dental implants
- Types of dental implants
- Dental implant procedures
- Latest advances in dental implant technology
This section is designed to educate you about dental implants so that you are able to make an informed decision. If you are worried about not being suitable for implants then don’t be as the chances are that you will be an ideal candidate for this treatment. Our implant dentist will discuss this and any other issues you may have in more detail at your initial consultation. He or she will explain the procedure in full before recommending the most suitable type of implant for you. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to implant dentistry.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are one of several advances in dentistry recently which have become very popular for a variety of reasons. A dental implant is a replacement for a missing tooth or teeth which will last for many years to come.
Did you know that dental implants have been used since the 1960’s as a solution to the problem of missing teeth? Their popularity has grown since then as have advances in implant technology and they have become a much sought after form of treatment.
A dental implant consists of the following three parts:
- The implant: a titanium rod which acts as a ‘root’, ready for a replacement crown.
- Abutment: the part which connects the implant to the crown
- Crown: the replacement for a natural tooth which is also known as a ‘restoration’.
The implant fits into a whole prepared in the jawbone and fuses with it over time in a process called ‘osseointegration’. Dental implants are typically manufactured from titanium, a hard wearing material which is well tolerated by the body and enables ossoeintegration to take place easily.
The abutment is a locking device which fits over the top of the implant that extends beyond the gum line. The lower part fits onto the implant whereas the top part acts as a connector for the crown or a bridge. The abutment is only visible to the naked eye as part of a two stage delayed loading process in which the implant is fitted in a separate procedure from the crown. The abutment is no longer visible once the crown is attached.
The crown or restoration is a synthetic version of a natural tooth. It is fitted onto the abutment to give a realistic looking appearance and is usually made from porcelain.
A dental implant is a solid, reassuring fixture. Once it has been inserted and has fused with the surrounding jawbone then it will remain firmly in place.
Dental implants do not affect adjacent natural teeth, unlike bridges. They don’t degrade or move out of position – so no need for denture adhesives and they will last you an entire lifetime if properly cared for.