The dentist here explains the dental implants problems that can occur, although not often seen, with porcelain veneers. He then goes on to give reasons for the failure of the veneers and implants. He also explains remedies that can be used to recover the situation. The dentist explains the deeper causes of failure of the implants and the risks involved.

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The girl in this video explains the choice she made to get her smile improved. Since she did not want visible braces, she chose porcelain veneers to improve her smile. Though it took her some time, she is happy with the result.

The advantages of opting for this procedure are explained here by the girl. She explains how she feels after the surgery as the process hid most of the gums that used to become visible earlier during her smile.

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The model in this video describes her experience with porcelain veneers. She explains how she feels with the false teeth on and how she had to get used to it. She explains the after effects of the anesthesia as well as the large crowns that have been placed.

She describes the difficulty she faces in talking, eating and some other simple tasks after getting temporary crowns. She also describes her excitement at getting teeth that make her look better.

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This is a video about a cosmetic procedure used for dental implants. Since appearance matters here, fine surgery is done using dental laser. Watch closely as the dentists directs the laser deftly to cut away pieces of the gum.

After removing the existing teeth, the well shaped false teeth are put in place. This procedure enhances the look giving a good smile as all the teeth are perfectly aligned. The final scene will show why laser is so important in cosmetic dental surgery.

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Invisible Braces

Invisible braces, as the name suggests, are an invisible tool to correct and improve the alignment of your teeth. Perfectly aligned and white teeth behind the lips allow for an attractive smile. But many people do not have perfectly aligned teeth. They benefit immensely from these invisible braces. How these braces improve your smile is explained in the paragraphs below.

How invisible braces improve your smile

These braces are made after a 3D mapping of your mouth. A time frame is determined which will be required to correct the position of the non aligned teeth. Then a set of braces are prepared, each for a period of about two weeks. When fixed over the teeth, the braces force the teeth into the new pattern making them look well placed.

The procedure followed is the same as the normal metal braces. However metal braces can mar the looks of the person. Moreover they can cause injury to the teeth and the gums leading to infection. As against this, invisible braces are made of highly transparent but strong material. They can be worn tightly over you teeth for long periods. You must remove them while eating and brushing. They can also be greased well to avoid scratches and chipping of the teeth. Since they remain invisible they are hardly noticed and do not interfere with the natural looks of the wearer.

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Invisible Braces

A set of braces are prepared for a particular time frame. Each piece is worn for a particular period and then replaced by the next in series. The next sets of braces are designed to further align the teeth. This procedure slowly moves the teeth into the right position. Once the teeth are aligned properly, you have a better smile than before.

Advantages of invisible braces that help improve your smile

* There is little pain while wearing the braces, so they do not affect your smile. They can be slid easily over the gum. If sores develop, then wax can be applied to prevent them.

* Unlike the metal braces, they do not cause allergies, cuts and infections. Thus they are the best cosmetic fit to align your teeth and improve your smile.

* Oral hygiene is easy to maintain with these invisible braces as they can be removed easily for washing. This prevents accumulation of plaque which can affect your teeth and your smile.

* The problems of tooth injury and decay are reduced as there are no cuts. This help in maintaining the health of the teeth. Healthy teeth are good for your smile.

* The teeth can be flossed, brushed and cleaned with a thread normally allowing for better looking teeth. This only improves your smile.

* When you do not need them, they can be easily removed. This is very important to maintain the natural look of your teeth.

* The problem of cross biting can be corrected smoothly by using invisible braces. Moreover there is greater level of comfort with these braces compared to metal braces.

* The problem of muscle soreness that happens with some types of braces is much lesser with invisible braces. When your muscles are normal, you smile naturally without any difficulty.

Over a period of time, these invisible braces improve the arrangement of mal-aligned teeth to give you better looking teeth and smile. But the best part is that all this is done without the use of ugly looking metallic braces. The dentist can plan your treatment according to your comfort and order braces that suit your teeth.

Periodontal Disease,

Not many people may be aware of or understand what the term periodontal disease means, but most people certainly understand what gum disease is. Gum disease is progressive and occurs in stages – gingivitis, periodontis and advanced periodontist. The gum slowly wears out from around the teeth causing severe pain and ultimately the loss of the teeth itself. Hence it is necessary to know the symptoms of this disease. The paragraphs below provide a list of these symptoms.

Symptoms of periodontal disease

* Painful gums – the infected gum will be soft, swollen and painful. Pain can be felt while brushing, chewing (mastication) and when you drink hot or cold liquid. Some food items that contain spices or hot substances will cause severe burning and irritation during eating.

* Bleeding gums – the infected gums become loose and tear easily. As they tear easily, they will bleed, especially when brushing. Often severely affected gum will result in blood in the toothbrush and in the foam that you spit out while brushing. These are tell-tale signs of periodontal disease.

* Loose teeth – As the gum tears away from around the teeth, it become loose. This will also give rise to misaligned teeth and can be noticed by dentists.

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Periodontal Disease,

* Difficulty chewing – the loosened teeth will wobble during chewing causing you discomfort. You will feel something different while chewing food and will have to chew carefully and slowly to avoid pain.

* Bad breath – the infected gums cause bad breath. This may also increase as the disease progresses and may become severe. This condition is called Halitosis.

* Sores in the gums – the infected gums become soft and get easily infected. This gives rise to sores in the gums. These sores also develop pus as the white blood cells die while fighting infection. The sores will slowly spread and cause more teeth to get infected if not identified and treated immediately.

* Receding gums – the gum slowly peels away revealing a larger portion of the teeth. Your teeth may suddenly look larger than normal. This can be taken as an important symptom of periodontal disease. The edges of the gums will look red as they recede and will be painful to touch. You will notice deep valleys between the teeth and the gums where plague may accumulate.

* Gap between teeth – this happens as the gums recede and the teeth begin to move away from each other. As the teeth move away, gaps appear in between them. This will keep on increasing and result in weakened gums and the teeth. At a later stage you may also loose your teeth.

* Loose dentures – when the gums recede as a result of infection, they cause the dentures to become loose. The dentures will need to be adjusted frequently. If this happens, tell your dentist to check the health of your gums.

* Persistent bad taste in the mouth – this is a result of periodontal disease. The bacteria that accumulate in the infected sores affect the sense of taste in your mouth.

To avoid gum disease you need to follow a strict dental hygiene. The symptoms given here will help you check and prevent this disease.

This video is a demonstration of the mini dental implant insertion procedure. The mini dental implant can be used to stabilize dentures as well as crowns. As this animated video plays out, you learn how the implant is inserted and screwed into the bone.

This video shows the fine drilling piece used for the purpose and how finer alignment is done. It shows how the mini dental implants are inserted in the gingibule tissue.

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Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is an irreversible process. Therefore it is done in extreme cases and in those cases where the extraction is absolutely necessary to ensure the health of the surrounding teeth and the gums. This article explains when tooth extraction becomes necessary and how it’s done in practice.

Why is tooth extraction done

Reasons for the extraction of the tooth:

* Chipped tooth – a tooth is removed if it’s damaged beyond repair. Sometimes the tooth may become chipped, broken or twisted. This affects its proper usage and necessitates its removal.

* Crowding of the teeth – this condition can lead to misaligned teeth and an improper bite. To correct this problem, a severely misaligned tooth is extracted and the rest are brought in line with the help of braces. Such an extraction is an orthodontic treatment.

Tooth Extraction

* Rotting tooth – this condition happens when the tooth and the gum are severely infected. In this condition the tooth will also be loose and wobble while chewing. This is also done when the tooth has developed severe cavity which cannot be repaired through filling or capping.

* Baby tooth – this problem is seen more in children than adults. Sometimes it is necessary to remove the baby tooth to allow the adult tooth to emerge out safely. If the baby tooth is not extracted then the underlying adult tooth will cause it to bend abnormally leading to scratches on the gum and chin as well as loosening of the surrounding teeth.

* Failed root canal implant – some root canal surgeries and implants can fail. This can happen due to various reasons. When this happens, the site usually becomes infected and develops an abscess. This necessitates tooth removal to help the wound to heal.

* Impacted tooth – this usually happens where the wisdom tooth emerges through. This condition leads to Pericoronitis, which is a bacterial infection of the impacted tooth’s crown. The bacteria flourish in the plaque which accumulates at the crown. This can lead to tender gums, development of cysts and the tilting of the neighboring teeth.

* Periodontal disease – not all cases of periodontal disease require tooth extraction. Only in those cases where the disease has eroded the gum severely and where it has affected the density of the bone at the jaw. If the gum is worn out and unable to support the tooth, then the tooth needs to be extracted to enable a trouble free mouth. This condition prevails mostly in the elderly.

* Health risks – people who have to undergo radiation therapy may be forced to remove some of their teeth which can become a hindrance for proper radiation delivery. Moreover those who undergo chemotherapy or are put on immunosuppressive medication following a major surgery may have all their infected teeth removed as they will not be able to fight a dental infection.

How is tooth extraction done

The most common tool used in tooth extraction is the extraction forceps. This is used to grasp the tooth and pull it out safely. However extraction of the tooth is not a simple process. Based on the method used in the extraction, it can be divided into either a simple extraction or surgical extraction.

* Simple extraction – This method is suitable for weak tooth or on ones that are already loosened due to weak and infected gums. It can also be used in people who do not have strong gums or those whose teeth can be easily pulled out. This procedure can be done by a dentist, a dental surgeon or a periodontist. The dentist grabs the tooth with the forceps tightly and rocks it sideways to make it loose in its socket. When the tooth is adequately loose, the dentist may twist is sideways to break the bonds of ligaments attached to the tooth. Once the ligaments are broken it becomes easy to pull out the tooth from its socket. Sometimes the dentists will be forced to use an “elevator” to create a wedge between the tooth and the surrounding gum. The elevator itself can be used to elevate the tooth out of its socket.

This is done under local anesthesia. Children or the elderly who cannot tolerate higher pain may be given general anesthesia to dull the pain during the extraction.

* Surgical extraction – This method is used in circumstances where it’s difficult to simply shake and pull out the tooth. It is often used to remove molars and pre-molars which can pose problems during loosening. Wisdom teeth and partially broken teeth or teeth with large cavities which can break when grabbed are extracted using this method.

After injecting a local anesthesia at the jaw joint to numb the pain, the surgeon will cut and separate the gums from around the teeth. The anesthesia used in this procedure is strong hence patients are advised to take rest after the surgery for a few hours. They are also advised not to drive vehicles. Though the patient will not feel pain when under the influence of the anesthesia, he will still be able to feel the pressure of the scalpel and the forceps grabbing the tooth.

Once the gum tissue has been separated, the surgeon breaks the tooth from the jawbone to extract it. Sometimes a hard set tooth or a large tooth may need to be broken into pieces to enable easy extraction. In some cases though, it will simply be enough to shake the tooth loose using extraction forceps and pull it out from its socket. Elevators can be used to expand the tooth socket and to break the ligaments holding it.

This video is the second part in the series on the bone grafting procedure. It shows the operation done to extract a piece of bone from the lower jaw. A part of the mandible (lower jaw bone) is sliced out. The excavated bone is used to fill up the gap on the upper jaw bone.

This procedure involves deep cuts and pulling away of the gum tissue around the mandible. Precise measurement and cutting is required as is shown in the video. Since there is a lot of slicing of the skin, viewer discretion is advised. But if you want to know how the operation is carried out, then this is a nice video to find out.

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This video shows the basic first step of the process of bone grafting. The dentist peels back the gum and then slices the skin back to reveal the upper jaw bone. You can watch the various types of tools used in this procedure and get an idea of how much cutting and slicing is involved in the process.

Since this procedure involves deep cuts and some bleeding, viewer discretion is advised. But otherwise this video is a good way to learn about bone graft procedure.

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In this video a dentist explains how to select a good dental surgeon to perform a dental implant surgery. He explains the points that you need to consider and how to find dentist who is capable of doing the work correctly.

He insists on proper preparation, both by the patient and the dental surgeon, prior to surgery for a good result. He outlines the importance of the comfort levels of the patient with the dental surgeon for a successful dental surgery.

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This video shows the tooth implant procedure used in the extraction and replacement of a single tooth. The dentist explains this with the help of a patient who suffers from a dead tooth which necessitated the replacement with an implant.

The dentist obviously uses the video as an advertisement but in the process shows how the implant is actually inserted into the empty socket. He screws it tight to allow it to get set. After a week the patient is back with a healthy implant in place which is now ready for a crown.

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This is a nice animated video about the procedure used to fix a dental implant. The various steps involved, the kinds of drills used and the insertion of the implant itself are all presented here in great depth. If you want to know how dentists fix false teeth then this video is a nice way to find out how.

Getting the implant seated tightly is very important for the success of the dental procedure. Hence this video is very important for those who plan to get an implant. It will help them clear their minds of all doubts.

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Dental Crown

The crown is the visible cover that is affixed to the dental implant after it has fused to the bone. Crowns come in various shapes and sizes. Given below in the following paragraphs are details of the various types of dental crown used by dentists.

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Dental Crown

There are two basic types of dental crowns – Temporary Crowns and Permanent Crowns.

Temporary Crowns are those that are prepared by the dentists themselves at their clinics. They are rough structures meant to last out till permanent crowns can be readied. These crowns are either stainless steel crowns or acrylic crowns. They are not reliable for the long term and their continuous usage will result in their fracture and breakage. They may even splinter when used to chew hard substances.

Permanent crowns can be made either of metal, porcelain (Porcelain Veneers are often used as crowns), ceramic, or resin. They are longer lasting and are made to resemble the surrounding teeth, except for the metal crowns which look shabby compared to the others. Given below are details of the different types of dental crowns.

1. Metallic Crowns – They are the strongest of all the crowns used with dental implants. They can withstand a lot of pressure generated during bite and can bear the pressure generated by repeated mastication. They cause minimal amount of wear and tear of the opposite teeth. They are made using alloys of metals like palladium, gold, nickel and chromium. An advantage of using metal crowns is that lesser quantity of gum tissue and surrounding teeth need to be removed for fixing them. They last the longest of all the crowns used. It is rare to find a metal alloy crown that fractures or gets chipped. The only disadvantage is that they look dark and unsightly. That is why metallic crowns are used as replacements for molar teeth, which lie at the rear end inside the mouth and where most of the food is chewed.

2. Ceramic Crowns – They resemble the natural teeth and hence are mostly used as replacements for missing front teeth. They are manufactured in a dental laboratory to match the color of the surrounding teeth. A disadvantage with ceramic crowns is that they induce a lot of wear and tear in the opposite teeth. This is another reason why they are used in the front row teeth which are thin and have little contact with the opposite teeth. People who may develop allergies to metal crowns are recommended ceramic crowns. They are not as strong as metal teeth and hence are not used in the molar region.

3. Porcelain Crowns – These crowns have similar characteristics as ceramic crowns. They are used for the front row of teeth and are similar in appearance to the natural teeth.

4. Resin Crowns –They are used as cheaper alternatives to metal crowns or porcelain and ceramic crowns. They are also weaker than these crowns. Though they are used as permanent teeth they can fracture or break apart after some time.

5. Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal Crowns – Off all the different types of dental crowns available in the market, these are the most preferred by dentists. They are not so strong as metal crowns but they are considerably stronger than resin crowns. They can be used to replace any teeth. They look somewhat similar to natural teeth but they can’t be compared in looks to ceramic crowns which look as real as natural teeth. Over a long period of time they can develop fractures or may get chipped in places or break completely. They tend to cause a greater degree of damage to the opposing teeth compared to metal teeth. Another disadvantage with this type of dental crown is that the metal base can sometimes appear as a dark patch near the base of the crown which can make them unsightly.

The various types of dental crown used in dentistry today are much advanced due to the developments in the field of ceramics and metallurgy. However each of these crowns has its own positives and drawbacks.

What Are Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers are cosmetic attachments to the teeth and are used to improve the smile. They are made as a fine layer of porcelain (ceramic) and are attached to the front side of the teeth. For this reason, the enamel in the teeth has to be removed a little and a veneer of appropriate size is glued in its place. Usually, a mould of the filed teeth is made and sent to the dental laboratory to prepare porcelain veneers of the appropriate size. The fabricated veneers are then pasted onto the patient’s teeth during the second visit. Such veneers can last more than 10 years. They retain their color and shine for a long time. They do not lose their color easily.

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Porcelain Veneers

The below mentioned points show how veneers can be useful.

* Veneers offer the quickest way to improve the appearance of your teeth. The procedure can be over in two or three visits to the dentist. The procedure takes one or two weeks which is much shorter compared to other dental processes.

* There is an immediate change in the way the patient appears. His smile improves and the whiteness of the veneers makes the teeth look beautiful.

* The effects are long lasting and can even last to 20 years. However veneers are not permanent fixtures and may need to be replaced over time.

* Many types of flaws and transfiguration in the teeth can be hidden with veneers. Problems like broken teeth, discolored teeth, and crooked teeth can be masked with veneers.

* Veneer does not get stained by food and drinks. They are resistant to stain from smoking. Veneers don’t get discolored as easily as the normal teeth. They retain their color for many years.

* The patient can start his normal diet within hours of the operation but is advised against chewing hard substances like bones.

* Veneers can be custom made to fit your teeth. They can be colored to match the neighboring teeth.

* This is little or no side effect of the operation and most of the tooth along with the root is retained. The operation is not as invasive as other types of dental repairs.

* Porcelain veneers do not react adversely with the gum tissue.

* People with slight tooth decay can use veneers instead of a crown.

The best advantage of using porcelain veneers is that you get instant results. But patients need to consult dentists before deciding on veneers.

Types of Dental Implants

Dental implants can be used as cosmetic measures or as replacements for teeth which have been lost, damaged or worn out. In either case, dental implants require extensive surgical intervention and a considerably long healing period. Since the dental implants take a long time to heal, it is important to know the different types of dental implants used by dentists.Mentioned in the following paragraphs are details about the types of dental implants.

The dental implants are divided into 4 types based on the procedure followed for their insertion.

4 Vital Types of Dental Implants

1. Subperiosteal Dental Implants
2. Root Form Dental Implant (commonly known as Endosteal Implants
3. Plate Form Dental Implants
4. Denture Supports – Intramucosal Implants & Ramus Frame Implants

1. Subperiosteal Dental Implants

This type of implant is used in people with highly worn out jawbones or with very thin jaw bones. In such conditions, the jaw bone is considered to be “resorbed” or attrited. The jawbone does not have enough width nor does it have enough height to hold the entire length of the titanium or titanium alloy implant. Instead the implant is placed “on” the bone and it is custom made for this purpose.

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The light weight metal implant has many posts to support it which is designed to fit snugly on the jaw bone. This removes the need of bone grafting. The implant is placed under the gums with the metal supports so that it is spread evenly and also to prevent the pressure from being directed at a single spot.

There are two ways in which these implants are placed on the bone.

1.1 Single Surgery Method

This method is used in weaker patients who can not tolerate repeated surgical procedures. A CAT scan of the proposed site is done and a computer model is used to create an implant that can be properly seated on the thin bone. Once the implant has been fabricated, the site is cut open and the implant is placed on the bone. Thereafter the site is sutured with several stitches to ensure a tight fit. After this the crown is fixed onto the implant.

1.2 Dual Surgery Method

In the dual surgery method, the dentist makes an impression of the jawbone by cutting open the gum and exposing the bone. Special dentistry materials are used to take the impression. This is then passed onto the laboratory where an appropriately sized dental implant is created. Once the implant is ready, the dentist reopens the gums and fixes the implant. The gums are then tightly sutured back to allow the gums to grip the implant tightly. Once the implant is set tight on the bone then the crown is fixed on the top.

2. Root Form Dental Implant

These types of dental implants are used in people who are in normal health and have high bone density. They require a jawbone of adequate width and height. They also look similar to an actual tooth root. For this reason they are also the most used dental implant. If this type of dental implant is to be used in a bone of low height, then bone grafting is done to provide enough bone mass to allow the implant to set properly.

A hole of short depth is drilled into the bone with the right diameter to place the implant. The implant is inserted and the hole is sealed. Since the root part of the implant is placed directly in the bone, this form of implant is called the Endosteal Implant. The root of the implant may be inserted with the abutment attached or without the abutment. After the completion of this step the open gum walls are sutured back tightly. The healing period with this kind of surgery may extend beyond 3 months to nearly 6 months. After gum has healed the operated area is reopened and the abutment and the crown are placed on the top. The process of healing or the fusion of the implant with the surrounding bone mass is called Osseointegration.

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3. Plate Form Dental Implants

These types of dental implants are used for people who have a narrow jawbone. Hence to make the implant fit easily into the bone; it is made flat narrow and long. Once an appropriate chunk of the bone is excavated, the implant is inserted into the opening and sealed tight. The opened gums are then tightly sutured together. The healing period in this type of surgery may extend up to 6 months and the next step can only be done when the implant has fused to the bone. After the operated area has healed the crown is fixed onto the root and the patient is discharged.

Some of the modern implants used under the plate form techniques can be placed immediately after the operation. They avoid the lengthy period of healing during the process of Osseointegration. Such plate form implants can be used to replace many teeth at the same time.

4. Denture supports – Intramucosal Implants & Ramus Frame Implants

Ramus Frame Implant – This implant is a large piece of metal which is embedded in the gums and it is used to support dentures. It is made flexible and can be moulded according to the jawbone in the mouth. Once it is fixed, it can support dentures.

Intramucosal Implant – These types of implants are actually a series of individual implants connected by a connecting rod to keep them in place. This is used in patients who require replacement for their teeth or who do not have teeth. These implants are embedded in the soft gum tissue. They make it possible to wear removable dentures.

There are several types of dental implants to be found today. A dentist decides the most suitable out of these by checking the patient’s bone strength and health. If the bone is weak then all implants will fail.

Dental implants can fail due to a variety of reasons. A failure can mean a lot of trouble for the patient as well as the dentist. Hence it is important to know what causes their failure. Given below are 6 critical causes for tooth implant failure.

1. Inadequate Diagnosis of the Jawbone & Improper Positioning Of the Socket

For a successful implant a patient should have proper bone depth and mass. The implant cannot be placed on a thin bone. A thin bone needs strengthening to provide the adequate depth and bone mass where the implant can be inserted. This can only be done when the bone depth is diagnosed correctly. The right position to place the implant has to be identified. This is done with a combination of x-rays and scans. The dentist must be able to build up a multidimensional image which will enable him to identify the right position for the implant. He must take care to avoid positioning the implant too close to the neighboring teeth or it will affect all. He must also take care to choose a socket position which does not affect the nerves and blood vessels in any way. The x-rays and scans are also necessary to determine the width of the jawbone at the point where the implant is supposed to be inserted. A narrow jawbone will require strengthening with bone grafting material. The diagnosis should also take into account if it’s possible to align the implanted artificial tooth with the neighboring teeth. This is absolutely necessary to distribute the pressure from bite evenly. An uneven alignment will result in tooth implant failure.

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2. Failure of the Osseointegration Process

Osseointegration is the process of attachment of the implant to the jawbone. This happens when the bone cells, the osteoblasts build new bone around the inserted implant. The process of formation of new bone can get affected due to a variety of reasons. They are – improper or loose positioning of the implant leaving a gap between the implant and the surrounding bone, the use of insufficient amount of bone grafting substance and pressure (due to lateral loading, immediate loading, overloading, uneven loading, biting and chewing).

3. Poor Quality of the Jaw Bone

The jaw bone should be strong and have good bone mass. A weak jawbone which is due to poor bone mass will take a long time to heal or it will fail to heal completely. Weak jawbone takes a long time to build new bone around the excavated hole (socket) where the implant is placed. Even if new bone is built it will not be strong enough to withstand the pressure from biting. Care must be taken to determine the strength of the bone. If it is weak then it has to be strengthened with proper bone grafting material. This material helps in building new bone faster.

4. Infection of the Implanted Area

If the implanted portion of the jawbone is infected then the implant will become loose. The infection prevents the formation of new bone mass at the implant socket. Infection leads to tooth implant failure and will necessitate a repeat of the surgery and a possible new implant. Infection can happen due to the bacteria which live in the mouth especially between the teeth and at the gum. Alternatively a contaminated implant or contaminated bone graft material will also lead to infection and disease. An infection at the implant can also damage the inferior alveolar nerve and blood vessels that lie below the implant. If this happens, the only remedy is to remove the implant and wait for the socket to heal. The oral mucosa around the jawbone must be healthy and strong. If it is infected or if it gets infected during the implant surgery, then it will result in a loose implant.

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Another point to note is the quality of surgery performed by the dentist or the orthodontist. An imperfect surgery will leave the implant loose leaving it open to infection. It will also damage the surrounding nerves, blood vessels or the neighboring teeth. In such a scenario, a large area gets infected and apart from the implant several other teeth will also suffer.

To prevent post surgical infection, the patient is administered proper medicine and is also prescribed some. The patient should take these medicines consistently as directed. Failure to take the medicine as directed will lead to infection and weaken the area around the implant socket. Apart from taking medicines as directed, the patient also needs to follow good oral hygiene practices.

5. Poor Quality of the Implant

Dental implants can be of good quality or poor quality. Quality implants cost more, perhaps several hundred times more than cheaper implants. That is why they are not preferred by many patients. Cheaper implants of poor quality pose several risks. They can break and fragment into pieces, complicating the healing process. A broken implant has to be removed as quickly as possible as it will lead to an infection. The broken implant will become loose and its parts will affect the surrounding teeth as well. Poor quality is another reason for tooth implant failure.

6. The Health Factors

The health of the patient undergoing the dental implant surgery should be normal. He should not suffer from diabetes, vitamin deficiency which weakens the bones. And should not be suffering from an infection of the gums. Soft, bleeding gums make the task of dental implants perilous and almost impossible. The patient should not have habits like Bruxism (grinding of the teeth or tightly clutching the teeth) and smoking (smoking not only causes yellow stains, it interferes with the healing process). The oral mucosa surrounding the jawbone must be healthy. A thin mucosa lining will not be able to absorb the pressure transferred from the teeth to the implant resulting in tooth implant failure.

Dental Implants Problems

Dental implants are costly jaw bone fixtures that are meant to last long and carry out the functions of the natural teeth. Hence they are inserted with care. But things can go wrong unexpectedly. Given below is a list of

11 Critical Dental Implants Problems.

1. Long Healing Period

Dental implants can take anywhere between 3 months to 6 month to set tight. The healing period and its success depend on the bone mass and its quality. The health of the patient receiving the implant must be at an optimum level to enable quick recovery. The long period of recovery forces many to opt for alternative methods.

2. Insufficient Bone Mass

If a patient has less bone mass then the osseo integration process will be delayed and the implant will not set properly. This process is the bonding of the implant with the surrounding bone mass and it occurs as the jaw bone slowly builds around the implant. In the absence of sufficient bone mass, there will not be enough building of jaw bone and the implant will become loose under pressure. Bone grafting will help to some extent in such cases.

3. Dental Implant Infection

Infections can be caused by the bacteria already residing in the bone, the surrounding gum tissue or introduced with the contaminated implant. Diseases like mucositis and peri-implantitis can ruin the implant requiring treatment and a possible re-implant. This can happen if the implant is used to support dentures. In such cases, strict oral hygiene regimen is required to be followed. Among dental implant problems infection causes the most damage.

4. Bruxism

The habit of grinding of the teeth or the clenching of the teeth is known as Bruxism. This habit applies pressure on the teeth sometimes laterally or at an angle that can loosen the implant. This process can also crush the crown on the implant. Some people often grind their teeth or clench them tightly while sleeping which can affect the implant. In such cases, the dentist may place a splint along the implant or may advise the use of mouth guards to reduce and distribute the pressure and to protect the implant.

5. Smoking

Smoking interferes with the post surgery recovery phase. It impedes the flow of blood to the affected part thus slowing the healing process and increasing the time required for healing. The slow healing process opens the risk of failure of the osseo integration process.

6. Overloading

Overloading occurs when a single or fewer implants are used to support a large denture or bridge. This applies immense pressure on the implant which disrupts the osseo integration process. This can also result in inflammation around the implant and ultimately the breakage of the implant. Dentists and orthodontists sometimes use cheap implants or lesser number of implants to save costs and to make a better, affordable offer to their patient. When cheaper implants made of inferior quality are used, they may break as may not be able to withstand the pressure of biting.

7. Immediate Loading

If the orthodontist places the crown on the implants immediately after laying it then it’s called immediate loading. This is not an advisable process as it will force the newly laid implant to bear a lot of pressure. If this process is adopted, then the dentist must lay the crown in such a manner that it does not lay pressure on the newly laid implant. The crown must be aligned correctly with the surrounding teeth to distribute the pressure equally. Immediate loading often results in the disruption of the bonding of the implant with the jaw bone which leads to a loose implant.

8. Poor Health of the Patient

A person who is in poor health will have difficulty in recovering from the dental implant surgery. Health issues like improper blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and any other form of illness that impedes blood flow to the implant, delay the healing process.

9. Incorrect Positioning

If the implant is laid tilted or if the crown is laid at an angle then it results in pressure on the implant and the crown. This will result in loose implant. This can also lead to the breakage of the implant as well as the crown. Hence care is needed while inserting implants.

10. Fractured Implant

An implant may fracture as a result of pressure applied on it. Even strong implants may suffer from stress fracture. A fractured implant will be loose or might break into pieces. Such an implant must be removed and replaced with a new implant which means additional cost to the patient and repeat work for the orthodontist.

11. Rejection of the Implant

Rejection of the implant often occurs after an infection. Other factors that can lead to the rejection of the dental implant are – bruxism (the habit of grinding the teeth), overloading, insufficient mass of the jaw bone or impeded blood supply to the implant region.

All these dental implants problems may necessitate of repeat surgery.

Dental Implants Procedure

Dental implants are used for both aesthetics and for functionality. Given below are the steps involved in dental implants procedure.

1. Preparing the site for the dental implant

A local anaesthetic is injected into the jawbone muscle to numb the sensory nerves. The surface of the gum is cut open to reveal the bony structure below. If there is a thick jawbone a special drilling machine is used to drill an appropriate sized hole into the bone. If the bone is thin then it has to be prepared for placing the implant. This preparation process is harder for the upper jawbone as it lies below base of the sinus cavity.

To make a thicker jaw bone, extra bone grafting material must be placed in the maxilla. This has to be done in patients suffering from atrophic upper maxilla. To do this, the surface of the upper jaw bone is cut open and the bone is chipped out till the sinus membrane is reached. A little amount of bone graft material is pushed into the cavity and this is then pushed upwards. More such material is added till a desired depth of bone is achieved. This procedure is called the Sinus Lift. This surgery strengthens the mandibular bone that holds the teeth in between the lip and the tongue.

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Several types of bone grafting material can be used for this purpose. The most suitable material is the bone from the body of the patient. The process of harvesting the bone from the patient’s body is called autograft and the piece of bone is removed either from the jawbone or the hip region. Alternatively a piece of bone from a cadaver can also be used. But this is not possible every time. Hence other substances are used. These are – Calcium Sulphate or the artificial bone also known as HA, or pieces of coral or bovine bone.

2. Placing the dental implant

An implant is fixed into the drilled out portion of the jawbone. Such implants are known as endosteal implants as they are inserted into excavated bone cavity and hold a portion that projects outwards. These endosteal implants have to tolerate a huge pressure during a bite. Hence they are made of Titanium or its alloy. The advantage of using Titanium is that it does not react with the surrounding tissue.

Once the implant has been placed appropriately a cover screw is placed on it and the cut portion of the gum is stitched back around this implant. The wound is then left to heal. In the case of lower jawbone, the healing period will be of 3 months while for the implants in the upper jaw, the healing period can be as long as 6 months.

Sometimes the dentist may place a crown or an artificial tooth immediately on the implant. This is called immediate loading. This is prone to damage as it transfers the pressure of the bite to the implant loosening it. This is not advisable as the mononucleate osteoblasts (bone cells) need time to grow and form new bone around the implant. It is believed that Calcium Sulphate speeds up this process hence HA is used. But this is not proven.

The patient can be sent home after the surgery but is asked to return after 2 weeks to get the sutures removed. The sutures do not stay for months and can break if not removed as planned. They are made either of dissolvable or non dissolvable materials and are designed to hold the portions for a certain period of time.

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3. The Healing Period for the Dental Implants Procedure

The new implant is left alone for 3 to 6 months to heal and for new bone to form around the implant. This process of healing is called Osseointegration. Such a long period is necessary to allow the osteoblasts to grow new bone around the implant.

4. Attaching a temporary post

This is done after a period of 3 to 6 months depending on the healing period required by the patient after the implant surgery. This phase is the penultimate phase before the final prosthetic crown is placed. The sutured tissue is cut open to reveal the crown. The cover screw is removed and a temporary crown resembling a real tooth is placed in the implant. This is also called an abutment as it serves as a connecting element between the implant and the yet to be placed prosthetic tooth.

This crown resembles a prosthetic tooth which is to be placed later. Hence it allows the surrounding tissue to grow and fill the gap. This abutment is left in place for a period of 2 months so that the healing process completes.

5. Placing the final Prosthetic Tooth

This is the final step in the dental implants procedure and is done after the surrounding tissue has grown around and tightly gripped the implant. To prepare a proper looking prosthetic tooth an impression of the area is taken. Based on this impression a prosthetic tooth is prepared to the right shape and size. This tooth must match the surface of the implant or it will fail. It must be a close fit.

The prosthetic tooth is then cemented onto the abutment and filed slightly to resemble the right shape. Or it can have a golden screw inside it, which enables it to be screwed onto the abutment. The dentist can then file the edges for a smooth finish.

This is the complete dental implants procedure. The problem with this procedure is that the total time taken for it can be of 8 to 9 months. Most people are reluctant to wait this long and go in for immediate loading which is an unreliable method. The right procedure is lengthier but it gives a lasting fit.

Cosmetic Teeth

Cosmetic surgery has improved the look of many people and brought a smile on their faces. One of the popular appearance enhancement surgical procedures is the cosmetic dental implant insertion. This is favoured by people who are unhappy with their teeth. The following paragraphs provide you with information about cosmetic teeth implants and how they can be of immense help.

What are cosmetic teeth implants?

A cosmetic dental implant surgery is performed in the same way as the usual dental implant. But its purpose is different. It is used to enhance the appearance of the person. This is done by rearranging the alignment of the teeth or by replacing a deformed tooth through implants. As part of this process, some ill-shape teeth may be extracted and replaced by good looking artificial teeth. False teeth are also used to replace broken teeth or teeth which are highly attrited.

What are the types of cosmetic teeth implants?
Since cosmetic teeth implants are used to enhance the look of a person. Several types of implants can be used. They are:

* Endosteal Implants or Root Form Implants – This form of implant is the closest to the form of a natural tooth. A cavity is drilled into the jawbone and a metallic root for the artificial teeth is inserted into it. Once bone forms around this root, the artificial tooth is gripped tightly. This is a common form of implant and is also popular.

* Plate Form Implants – This implant is used in patients who have a thin jawbone. The implant is flat and narrow. It can be driven like a wedge in a narrow opening. A small flat rectangular cavity is dug into the bone and the implant is inserted within it. A crown is pushed on top of the flat plate after the implant has bonded with the bone.

* Subperiosteal Dental Implant – This type of implant is used in patient’s whose jawbone has suffered from atrophy and damage is to such an extent that bone grafting will not be sufficient. The implant has multiple roots instead of one thick root. This is a large lightweight implant and is designed to distribute the pressure of the opposite jawbone over a large area. It can take the weight of dentures and remain stable. Many artificial teeth can be fixed on this implant. It provides a strong stable tooth once the bone has bonded with it.

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* Intramucosal Implant – This type of dental implant is used to improve the stability of removable dentures. The implant is inserted into the gum. It then provides a grip to the dentures. This type of implant is used only in those patients who have a need for such an implant. Hence it is not a widely known implant.

* Ramus Frame Implant – This implant is used exclusively with the lower jawbone or the mandible. It is used in patients whose lower jawbone is severely resorbed. A jawbone like this fails to provide adequate retention to the denture. The implant projects inside the mouth towards the tongue to provide retention mechanism to the denture.

Advantages of cosmetic teeth implants

Cosmetic dental implants provide multiple advantages. They are –

* Enhanced Looks – The primary factor behind cosmetic dental implant is aesthetics. Cosmetic dental implants improve the facial appearance of the patient. A person is identified by his face and the teeth form an important feature of the face. Hence people who have misshapen teeth naturally feel discomfort. Their discomfort can be relieved through cosmetic dental implant.
* Improved Confidence – People with un-shapely tooth hardly smile. They have a low confidence level and they are hesitant to interact with others. They fear that people will notice their misshapen teeth and point those out. In their case cosmetic dental implants can improve their teeth structure and enables these people to smile freely without worrying about how their teeth look. The implant provides them with confidence which they lacked earlier. A person with dentures will feel discomfort while interacting with people. Cosmetic dental implants can replace the dentures and free him from his embarrassment.
* Protection from teeth damage – A badly shaped tooth will affect the neighbouring teeth. The surrounding teeth will suffer from wear and tear due to the force exerted by the ill shaped tooth. This can be rectified by a cosmetic dental implant and it will correct the anomaly in the mouth. The implant saves the neighbouring teeth from damage. This not only allows the patient to eat properly, but it also enhances the comfort level of the patient.

Teeth Implants

The teeth implants are made of titanium and are inserted into the gum by a periodontist to replace missing teeth. The implant may be inserted into the jaw bone or placed above it. It is the base into which the abutment and the crown (which looks like a real tooth) are placed. Implants restore the function of the jaw besides improving the smile on one’s face. Implants are used only after the bone has stopped growing or during the adolescent phase of an individual.

The implant process in brief

Implants are drilled to the bone and hence do not require any support from the teeth beside. This is an advantage that makes implants and their crowns very important. But implants do more than supporting a crown. They can also support dentures and bridges and do away with the need for removable dentures.

Types of Teeth Implants

There are two types of teeth implants in use today. They are – Endosteal (drilled into the jaw bone) and the Subperiosteal (fixed on the jawbone). Each may be used according to the need. The former is used when the patient has enough bone height allowing the periodontist to drill a hole for the implant. When the bone height is less, the implant is placed on the jaw bone instead.

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The most common implant

The tooth implant used most of the time is the Root-Form Endosseous Implants. The advantage it offers is that it has real looking tooth which is fixed into a titanium post that is placed in the jaw bone. This implant is also called the root form implant as it looks similar to the natural tooth with a tooth root. The crown resembling a real tooth is then screwed into the implant in a process known as the Osseo-integration.

Before the modern tooth resembling implants became common, the blade endosseous implants were used. These resembled a flat metallic blade. Hence it was named blade endosseous implants. They were considered as subperiosteal implants.

Types of treatment used for implants

Implants can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth or all the teeth in the mouth. Inserting implants in the upper rear jaw is the most difficult hence this form of treatment is kept as a last resort.

Surgery procedure for the implants

The surgery procedure used for the implants can be of two types – One Stage Surgery and the Two Stage Surgery. In the one stage surgery no healing abutment is required and the artificial tooth is fixed directly into the implant. The process is over in just one sitting. Hence it is known as “immediate loading”. A prosthetic tooth which looks similar to a real tooth is placed over the implant. In some cases though, a healing abutment may be placed over the implant over which the crown would then have to be placed. This process is called as the two stage surgery process. This process is used where aesthetics or looks are important. The tooth implant is allowed to fuse with the bone and then a matching tooth is placed over the implant. Before the artificial tooth is placed, the abutment serves to keep the implant still and protected from any vibration.

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Healing time required with implants

How soon the patient recovers and begins to use the implanted teeth varies from person to person. A periodontist may work with a dentist during the period after the surgery to ensure that the implant fastens perfectly. He may allocate a time of 2 to 6 months. In some cases the periodontist may even advise up to 18 months for the entire process. The time required for the healing process depends on the quality of the material used, the skill of the periodontist and the density of the bone of the patient. Many periodontists refrain from fixing in the provisional or the prosthetic tooth soon after the surgery. If it is fixed too soon the implant may become loose and fail. This may require a repeat surgery to fix a new implant.

Advantage of Teeth Implants

* Teeth implants do not disturb the neighboring teeth in any way. This way the surrounding teeth are safe from any damaging effects which can be seen in dentures and bridges.
* Implants restore the beautiful look of the teeth when a person smiles. This also improves the confidence of the person. A person wearing dentures may feel embarrassed to smile which will reveal that he is wearing dentures.
* Implants allow the person to eat without hassle. Dentures and bridges can be annoyingly disturbing or noisy while eating.

Points to note

* Teeth implants should only be used after the adolescent phase or when the bone has stopped growing. It is for this reason that Periodontists refrain from inserting implants in children.
* If a person is suffering from periodontal disease, cancer or diabetes then the surgery is avoided or done only when the condition has stabilized.