Dental Implantology is the study and use of dental implants — a surgical component that interfaces with the bone of the jaw or skull to support a dental prosthesis such as a crown, bridge, denture, or facial prosthesis, or to act as an orthodontic anchor. The basis for modern implantology is a biologic process called osseointegration, in which materials such as titanium form an intimate bond to the bone. The implant fixture is first placed so that it is likely to osseointegrate, then a dental prosthetic is added. Adequate healing time for osseointegration varies from person to person before either the dental prosthetic (a tooth, bridge, or denture) is attached to the implant or an abutment is placed which will hold a dental prosthetic or crown.
Alveolar Implants
A dental implant is a surgical fixture that is placed into the jawbone and is allowed to fuse with the bone within a few months. It acts as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth. They are made of titanium, which allows them to integrate with the bone without being recognized as a foreign object in our body.
Immediate Implants
Called so because they are placed immediately after the extraction of the tooth. The advantages of immediate implant placement are fewer surgical interventions, less treatment time, and less soft and hard tissue loss. Immediate implants also give psychological satisfaction to the patient.
Sinus Lifting
Sinus lifting is commonly done during dental implant placement. It is the procedure that aims to increase the amount of bone in the posterior part of the upper jaw. This provides extra support and better osseointegration of the dental implant.
Bone Augmentation
Bone augmentation is the procedure done in place of insufficient bone during dental implant placement. It is usually performed in cases of bony defects or loss, for longevity and stability of the dental implants. A variety of grafts are available for this.
Full Mouth Rehabilitation with Dental Implants
All-on-4 Implants
This involves placing two implants vertically in the anterior region and two at an angle of 45 degrees in the posterior region, totaling 4 implants in the upper jaw and 4 in the lower jaw. Placing them this way makes it possible to achieve good bone anchorage for the dentures.
All-on-6 and All-on-8 Implants
All-on-6 has 6 dental implants in the upper and 6 in the lower jaw. Similarly, All-on-8 has 8 in the upper and 8 in the lower jaw. The main difference is that All-on-6 and All-on-8 are done for fixed full mouth prosthetic replacement.
Zygomatic Implants
The implant that gets anchorage (support) from the zygomatic bone (cheekbone) and not from the upper or lower jaw is the zygomatic implant. A common site for zygomatic implant placement is the atrophic maxilla (upper jaw). It is also recommended in place of a failed implant or failed sinus lifting or augmentation procedures. This type of implant provides great stability in some complicated cases.
Related Services
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery — surgical procedures supporting implant placement
- Dentures & Prosthodontics — crowns and prosthetics for implants
- Periodontics — gum health essential for implant success