| Single
& Multiple Tooth
Implants
Nothing can take the
place of a healthy set of teeth. But when you lose a
tooth through disease or an accident, it's good to know
you have options in restoring your smile. A dental
implant feels and looks like your own lost tooth.
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 Here's how it works. Your dentist inserts
a metal post or frame beneath your gum. It fuses to the
bone in your jaw just like the root of a tooth. Then
your dentist mounts a replacement tooth on the implant,
where it's most likely to blend in with the way your own
teeth look and feel.
Most patients find that an implant is
secure and stable, a good replacement for their own
tooth. If you're interested, talk to your dentist. Make sure you have the necessary bone and structures to
support an implant.
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Partial
Dentures
Similar to other unsecured multiple tooth restorations and
dentures,  typical
partial dentures compromise comfort and fit. Implant supported
fixed partial dentures provide a comfortable solution that is
simple to maintain and last for many years. As shown in the
presentation, there are typically 2-3 implants placed with
abutments on top of the implants for the restoration to be
secured to. Using implants eliminates the need to use existing
teeth for support, prolonging the useful life of your natural
teeth. Function is also improved giving peace of mind eating.
Any type of food can be enjoyed.
Over-Dentures
An implant overdenture may be defined as a removable dental
prosthesis that covers the occlusal surface of a remaining
root or implant. Such prostheses have become quite popular in
general populations which shows that trends are changing.
Patients are m ore educated and are demanding better treatment.
41% of senior citizens in the US are edentulous. Among these
people, many wear complete dentures and rely on the soft and
hard tissue of the residual alveolar ridge for support,
retention, and stability of their prosthesis.
With the advent of dental implants, the benefits and
advantages of using overdentures have become a reality for
edentulous patients. Implants have a reported success rate of
over 97% and preserve the mandibular alveolar ridge while
increasing retention and stability of removable prostheses.
The overall success rate is 94% on these patients with
functional and aesthetically compromised prosthesis making
this mode of treatment a viable option.
There are two types of implant overdentures. One type is
classified as implant retained and tissue borne, the other is
implant retained and implant borne. The implant retained,
tissue borne overdenture relies on the hard and soft tissue of
the residual alveolar ridge for support. The implants only
offer support in that area of the arch where they are placed.
An implant retained, implant borne overdenture does not rely
on the tissues for support. The pressures of occlusal loading
is on the implants completely. The denture itself will touch
the tissues at its border only to prevent accumulation of food
underneath.
Advantages of using an implant supported overdenture are
that you have high patient acceptance; less trauma to tissue
by the prosthesis; improved retention and stability of the
dentures; improved support of facial soft tissue and therefore
improved esthetics; preservation of remaining alveolar bone;
and improved function.
There are many factors to consider in the treatment
planning of implant overdentures. The size of the implant to
be used, the location of placement, the number of implants to
be used, and the types of attachments to be utilized. Other
considerations include quality of the bone, space available,
and patient’s oral health and systemic medical condition.
Retention can be considered as the force that resists
withdrawal along the path of insertion. There are many
different types of retention systems used to secure
overdentures to the implant. These attachments must be
selected carefully with their design clearly in mind. Small
screws have been used for years and have their place, but not
without difficulties. Retaining devises can also act to
provide occlusal support and stability, whether or not they
were initially designed to withstand these forces. If the
attachment apparatus is strong enough, these loads will be
transmitted further down the chain.
Stud shaped attachments have been used for decades. Few are
entirely rigid, since their size makes it difficult to prevent
a small amount of movement. Stud devices are among the
simplest of all attachments. They provide stability, retention
and support, while positive lock of certain units can maintain
the border seal of the denture. These do require adequate
space for vertical and buccolingual dimensions so diagnostic
casts are very important. The precise space requirements must
be checked after the trial insertion stage and occasional
change of attachment may be required. Stud attachments are
available in a variety of sizes and configurations.
An impressive number of prospective and retrospective
studies confirm the high success rate that can be achieved
with a variety of implant systems.
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