About Dental Implant

Dental Implant Devices

The actual dental implant devices have tow parts: a titanium rod which is inserted into the jawbone in the socket left by the tooth being replaces, and a ceramic prosthetic tooth which is bonded to the titanium rod once it has fused into the jawbone, usually within three to six months after having been inserted.

The dental implant risks associated with the use of titianium are virtually nonexistent. Titanium is one of the inert metals, meaning that it is compatible with human tissue, so the implant rods will not trigger the body’s rejection response common in organ transplant patients. Titanium, in fact, has been the material of choice in prosthetic hip joints for over four decades.

The ceramic used in dental implant prosthetic teeth is no different from the ceramic used in normal tooth crowns, and poses no dental implant risk except in cases where the prosthetic tooth has not been correctly fitted to the titanium rod. The dental implant risk resulting in such a instances is that the ceramic tooth will dislodge from the titanium rod, but it can easily be refitted, and there is no physical risk to the patient.

Medical Dental Implant Risks

Any medical dental implant risks can be minimized with a careful pre-operative dental exam, during which the patient provides a detailed picture of his or her health and dental histories. The dentist will use this information to assess the possibilities of complications both during and after the dental implant procedure, and will consider not only the state of the patient’s oral health but the dental implant risks associated with the use of general anesthesia.

The dental implant risks which are inevitable with the implant procedure itself are the risks of infection, nerve damage, and the chance that inserting the titanium rod into the jawbone will rupture the sinus membrane. There are also risks associated with the post-procedure period, especially if the patient is lax about following the dentist’s followup care instructions. Patients who are diabetic or smoke have higher dental implant risk because they may be slower to heal and less able to ward off infections.

Less serious dental implant risks are that the patient may experience temporary swelling, tenderness, and pain in the site of the implant. Some patients have also suffered from temporarily slurred speech or developed gingivitis, which should be brought to the dentist’s attention as soon as possible.

In spite of there being a number of dental implant risks, the reality is that over ninety percent of all dental implants result in the permanent replacement of diseased or missing teeth with prosthetics which are not only safe, but completely natural in appearance.

[A true story.]

The oral surgeon in New York promised to give a patient a set of perfect teeth. All he needed to do was get 10 dental implants on his upper jaw, and 10 dental implants on his lower jaw. The patient, who never had implants before, agreed. He wanted a beautiful set of teeth. It had been many years since he had good healthy natural teeth, and when he arrived in the oral surgeon’s office for that first consultation, he had only seven decaying teeth remaining in his mouth.

WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT?

It is usually a titanium screw that gets screwed into the jaw. It creates the foundation upon which a permanent bridge or crown will sit. Once the implant is screwed into the jaw, it takes months to heal. After the healing period, a healing collar is placed around the implant, and then a post is placed on top of the implant. Once a post is put on, a fixed bridge or cap (also known as a crown) can be attached to the post.

THE COST TO PLACE IMPLANTS

My client had been to a few different implant dentists and was told that for six implants it would cost anywhere from $35,000 to $50,000. Since this man did not have the money to pay for these implants, he held off, and continued to use his ill-fitting denture that would fall out at the most inopportune times.

One day, while at work, my client saw an ad by this oral surgeon promising inexpensive dental implants and great results. The ad was intoxicating and held the promise of a great set of teeth for only a fraction of the cost that most other dentists were charging.

“IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE…IT IS”

This patient was quoted a price of $22,500 to put in 10 implants on his upper jaw, and 10 implants on his lower jaw. Twenty implants total. All for the low, low price of $22,500. That price also included the restoration for full porcelain fixed bridges on both upper and lower jaws. What a bargain.

What the patient got instead was botched dental treatment. To begin with, the oral surgeon failed to properly evaluate whether this patient had sufficient bone for all these implants. He failed to identify where the nerves were in relation to where he was going to insert the implants. Unfortunately for the patient, the implants were put in too close together; they were improperly angled; there were too many implants; he put an implant into the patient’s sinus and never realized it; he created a hole in the sinus and despite trying to fix it twice, failed.

THE RECORDS DON’T LIE

The doctor’s dental records were worse than scribbles. They had no useful information. The notes reflecting the doctor’s comments after the dental implant surgery simply said “Observe.” That’s it. No notes about patient complaints, what type of examination he performed on that visit or any other visit for that matter. No notes about what his treatment plan was. Incredibly, while the patient was having the implants inserted the doctor claimed that he would take one to two intra-operative x-rays to determine if the implants were in the correct place. Once he decided they were in the right place, he would then inexplicably throw away the x-rays he had taken. The doctor attempted to explain that he had no use for the intra-operative x-rays once the implants were embedded into the jaw.

The fact that the x-rays were technically the patient’s property had no impact on this oral surgeon.

A DENTIST ABANDONS HIS PATIENTS

Months after the patient had his implants placed into his jaw, he received a letter from this New York dentist announcing that he could no longer continue to provide dental services, giving various excuses. Incredibly, the dentist failed to refer this patient, or any other patient, to another oral surgeon to continue their dental implant care. As a result, this dental victim remained without any teeth in his mouth for two full years.

Calls and letters to this oral surgeon requesting a refund of cash that had been paid went unanswered. All efforts to recoup money for the improper work and unfinished work were ignored.

THE PATIENT FILES A LAWSUIT

This dental malpractice victim sued this New York dentist for failing to properly insert his dental implants. A dental implant expert was prepared to explain to the jury how this New York dentist’s planning, execution and post-operative care deviated from good and accepted dental standards here in the State of New York. As a result of those departures from good care, this patient suffered significant dental injury, requiring extensive sinus surgery to correct the hole, and the implant lodged in the sinus. He will require most of the implants to be removed, and will have to start over again. All at an astronomical price. Removing the implants may also cause damage and injury to the jaw and nerves running through his upper and lower jaw.

This patient agreed to settle his case on the day jury selection was scheduled. The successful settlement will now allow this traumatized man the chance to surgically correct the botched dental treatment he received from this oral surgeon. Hopefully in the near future, after all of his dental treatment has been completed, he’ll be able to look in the mirror, and for the first time in many years, smile and say “Good morning,” without feeling self-conscious and worried what someone will think of a man without teeth.

Dental implant surgery is common these days. The whole process, from evaluation to completion, in general takes six to eight months. During this period, most patients do not experience disturbances in their normal business and social activities.

For most patients, the placement of dental implant involves two surgical procedures. Implants are placed surgically under slight sedation in a dentist’s office. For the initial three to six months subsequent to surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums, gradually bonding with the jawbone. Once the implants have bonded to the jawbone, the second phase of the procedure starts. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon uncovers the implants and attaches small posts which act as anchors for the artificial teeth. Like any other surgery, a significant period of recuperation at home or in the hospital is necessary. During this period, the patient requires complete rest and care.

A basic requirement of implant surgery is, it requires time for adequate healing. This is more often than not three to six months. There are certain factors that are connected with the recuperation period. Recovery period depends on the type and number of implants placed and the condition of their oral health before surgery. The dental implant recuperation period is normally short for most patients. Recuperation periods tend to vary from one patient to another. Patients having serious oral health problems need lengthy recuperation periods. It may range from several weeks to months.

After healing of the implant in the bone the prosthetic phase of treatment can be carried on. In several cases this can take from a few weeks to a few months. A positive attitude towards the surgery, as well as, adequate foods and fluids after your surgery will surely reduce the recuperation period.

Compared to dentures and bridges, dental implants are stronger and more durable. The solution it offers to tooth loss is permanent. To have maximum effectiveness, implants can be used together with the other procedures in restoring your tooth. Dentures can be stabilized more using implants. This will also lessen gum irritation. More than ever, people give higher consideration to implantation to acquire procedural advancement. But it is still best that your dentist will give the recommendation if you will need such alternative. And even though your dentist dentist need not have a license to perform implant dentistry, prosthodontist are more qualified to perform such complex procedures.