Mini Implants
Mini implants are used exclusively to secure loose dentures, but especially lower dentures. They can be fitted to an existing or new denture. Their Major Benefit is Time Unlike conventional implant treatment which is very prolonged, after an initial consultation, treatment can be complete in a single two hour visit. Using a painless minor surgical procedure, the mini implants are placed in the jaw, attachments fitted to the denture and then the denture is fitted and adjusted. Beneficial results are immediate. The denture is secure and the patient can eat, drink, smile and laugh confidently straight away without the fear of the denture falling out. Normally six mini implants would be needed to secure a full upper denture and four mini implant used to secure a full lower denture. Dentures supported by mini implants must be removed daily for cleaning. N.B. If new dentures are to be made prior to placing mini implants, then several appointments over a number of weeks will be needed to make them beforehand. Convention Implants Implants are a means of replacing missing teeth without the use of dentures, although in certain circumstances implants can be used to secure dentures and so overcome the problems associated with normal denture wearing. As implants are totally self supporting, they do not require other teeth to aid them. Well Established Technology
Available Bone An implant is a metal post made from titanium which is a metal rarely rejected by the body. Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, several, or all missing teeth provided there is enough bone available. When teeth are lost, there is immediately set into motion a natural, lifelong, but completely irreversible process of bone and gum loss. The most rapid loss is in the first 3 - 6 months after teeth are missing, but thereafter the process only slows down and continues throughout life. Once lost, bone and gum cannot grow back naturally. For the latter reason, it is ideal to consider implant treatment as soon as possible after teeth are lost, as several years later, there may be insufficient bone available to place them. The degree and rapidity of bone loss varies with the individual. Bone Augmentation
If there is insufficient bone available to place implants, but the loss has not gone beyond a certain point, new bone can be regenerated in the intended implant site using a technique called Bone Augmentation. This requires using either irradiated powdered human bone or an artificial substitute and can take up to six months to complete. If Bone Augmentation cannot be used, then the only other possible alternative is to transplant bone from the hip to the jaw, but this can only be provided privately in hospital. Treatment The full course of implant treatment is provided here at Fremington Dental Practice and this includes placing the implants to fitting the final permanent restoration. Treatment is divided into three stages. The first stage is a surgical procedure provided under local anaesthetic to open up the gum and place the implant(s) into the bone of the jaw. Intra-venous or oral sedation is available should a patient request their use. The number of implants used is governed by the number missing teeth to be replaced, plus the quantity and quality of the bone available. Once the implant(s) are placed, stitches are removed 10 - 14 days later and then everything is left for six months during which time the bone grows and bonds itself onto the metal of the implant by a process called osseointegration, so that in time the implant becomes incorporated into the jaw and its function is to finally support a crown, bridge or denture.
Six months after the implants are placed, the second stage procedure involves uncovering the implant. In the case where crowns and bridges (more than one crown joined together in one unit) are required to replace missing teeth, a special post is fitted to each implant onto which is initially attached a lightweight temporary crown or bridge. This is worn for 2 - 4 months to gently harden the new bone around the implant after which time it is replaced by the heavier permanent restoration which marks the third and final stage of treatment. A simple case takes between 10 - 12 months to complete and a more complex case can take up to two years. Implant Retained Dentures Implants can be used to support dentures and it us usually full lower dentures that cause most problems, although they can equally be used to support full upper dentures. The underside of full lower dentures are designed to fit over a ridge of bone. However, the ongoing bone loss that occurs when teeth are missing causes this bony ridge to eventually disappear so that the curved underside of the denture cannot fit onto the flat surface of the gum. At this point there is absolutely nothing conventional dentistry can do, other than to suggest using fixatives which may have to be applied several times daily. At this stage the denture is often so loose that most patients simply cease to wear it. To solve this problem, a minimum of 2 - 3 implants can be placed into the lower jaw. Six months later at the second stage of treatment, either a gold bar or precision fittings are fitted to the implants onto which a new full denture clips into place. Although a denture is still maintained, for many patients this is a very acceptable solution as they are comforted in the knowledge that their denture is securely attached to the implants and cannot fall out during eating, drinking or socialising. For those patients who want to eliminate their full dentures all together, providing there is enough bone available, possibly between 8 - 12 implants could be placed in either jaw to support a bridge containing up to 12 - 14 crowns. Age Limitations? Implants can only be used when all bodily growth has stopped which is normally age 16 years for girls and age 18 years for boys. There is no upper age limit for implant treatment provided there is enough bone available. Certain medical or psychological conditions may prevent implant treatment. Benefits of Implant Treatment At present, implants are the best that technology can offer in replicating the function and aesthetics of natural teeth. Equally, implants are totally self supporting and do not require other teeth to aid them. In comparison, conventional bridges require teeth to support them. Irreversible damage is caused to these supporting teeth, plus the stresses of supporting a bridge can also shorten their expected life span. If the proposed supporting teeth for a bridge are already very heavily filled or slightly broken down, then crowning will strengthen them and improves their cosmetics. The presence of implants stabilises bone loss at the implants site as it tricks the body into thinking tooth roots are present. Many implants are still functioning well after 20 years, although no guarantee can be given as to their longevity as dentistry is not a precise science. Long-Term Predictability Long term success of implant treatments requires keeping the mouth as clean and plaque free as possible on a daily basis. Regular ongoing professional care and maintenance is also required. Implant retained dentures should be removed daily for cleaning together with the gold bar and/or precision fittings. Any accumulation of plaque or calculus (hardened plaque) can allow bacteria to tract down and destroy the bone surrounding the implants and cause them to fail together with the restorations they are supporting. Implants
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