SERVICES - Dental Implants

What are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a small titanium fixture that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. The implant is placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw and allowed to bond with the bone, serving as an anchor for the replacement tooth. Dental implants can be used to replace a single lost tooth or many missing teeth. Dental implants are a proven restorative option that preserves the integrity of the bone and facial structure.

Most modern dental implants are generally all the same: pure titanium screw-shaped cylinders that act as roots for crowns and bridges, or as supports for dentures.

Implants are generally made of hardened titanium that is capable of bonding to bone, a phenomenon known as "osseointegration." This bond is very strong and durable. Pure titanium is bio-inert, meaning there is no reaction in tissue and no rejection or allergic reactions.

The three parts of most implant supported structures:
  • Implant fixture:
    A bone, anchored by a process of osseointegration
  • Abutment:
    Placed over fixture to hold the crown, after 2-6 months
  • Crown:
    Cemented or screwed to abuntment (or denture retention clasp)

There are variations in the overall shape of the implant, as well as the surface of the titanium. Early implant designs required 2 surgeries to allow healing under the gum (implant placement and implant recovery).

Variations on implant shape:

The original root form implant design was a pure titanium screw, a 2-stage design with a small "external-hex" or top-bolt that was used to connect abutments. Now there are 1-stage and 2-stage designs available. Note that 1-stage implants do not require a second surgery to find the buried implant.

  • 2-stage implants are placed in bone and hidden under the gum to allow healing. Examples are the 3i external hex and Biocare external hex implants.
  • 1-stage implants have the top of the implant exposed during healing. Examples are the 3i TG, Biocare replace and Straumann implants.
Variations on surfaces:
The original root form implant was made of "smooth" machined titanium, just like regular wood screws. Newer designs have treated the surfaces with etching or sandblasting to increase the grip of the implant on the bone. These provide better total bone contact and have led to the opportunity of reduced healing times ( 6 weeks vs 16 weeks )