Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements that were first developed half a century ago by a Swedish scientist named Per-Ingvar Branemark. Implants arose from the patient’s need to secure loose-fitting dentures. Since the advent of the implant, engineering and enhancements to the implant have enabled dentists to expand the implant’s usefulness, including the replacement of missing or lost teeth. Today, implant techniques provide a wide range of tooth replacement solutions including:
- Single Tooth Replacement
- Anterior Replacement
- Posterior Replacement
- Full Upper Replacement
- Implant supported dentures
- mini implants
- MIMI implants by Champions®
- Single piece implants
- Two piece implants
Types of Implants
There are three main types of implants used at our office:
- The root implant
- Mini Implants
- MIMI implants
The root implant—by far, the most popular—is the most effective because it mirrors the size and shape of a patient’s natural tooth. This implant is often as strong as the patient’s original tooth. The implant or artificial root is placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia, then allowed to heal and integrate with the bone. These implants can often be placed at the time of an extraction decreasing the time the patient has to wait to have a new tooth. Once the healing process is completed and the jawbone is attached to the implant, the patient returns to the dental office where the implant is fitted with the new tooth. This process generally takes anywhere from three to eight months. These implants can be one or two piece depending on each patients needs. One piece implants have a root shape that is placed in the bone with a pre shaped post that sits above the gum tissue. The crown is placed on this post in 3-4 months. Two piece implants have a root shape that is placed in the bone and covered for 3-4 months. At 3-4 months it is uncovered and a post placed in the implant that sits above the gum tissue. The crown is attached to the post at this time.
Mini Implants have a small diameter and can be placed in narrow spaces as well as used to support dentures. No bone is removed in the placement of these implants. These implants can be loaded immediately and the denture secured at the same appointment. Typically 2-4 of these mini implants are placed to stabilize a denture. It is inserted by placing a small pilot hole and screwing the implant into the bone. They are immediately loaded without waiting for the healing process to run its course.
MIMI is a technique that stands for Minimally Invasive Management of Implant placement. These implants are placed with little to no bone removal. The bone is expanded and compacted using a series of expanders to widen the socket site. It is the least invasive technique for placing implants and can be used in many cases to restore the mouth. Dr McEowen is one of the first doctors in the United States to place these implants.
Preparation for Implant Placement
Implants require accurate information prior to placement. Our Office uses the latest technology available, CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) to assess the patients conditions. We use The PreXion 3D CBCT® a 3 dimensional scan similar to cat-scan to analyse the available bone and nerve structures. This scanner uses a greatly reduced amount of radiation over medical CT and gives our doctors all the information they need to best treat the patient.
Post Implant Care
Although proper oral hygiene is always recommended for maintaining good dental health, it is especially important when a patient has received a dental implant. Bacteria can attack sensitive areas in the mouth when teeth and gums are not properly cleaned, thus causing gums to swell and jaw bones to gradually recede. Recession of the jawbone will weaken implants and eventually make it necessary for the implant to be removed. Patients are advised to visit their dentists at least twice a year to ensure the health of their teeth and implants. Dental implants can last for decades when given proper care.