What is a Ceramic Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a titanium and ceramic structure that is fixed permanently into the jaw bone to replace a tooth that has been lost due to dental trauma or decay, they are made from highly durable materials, so that they can look and perform almost exactly like the real thing. Titanium is used to create the rod that sits in the socket, beneath the gum line, and a porcelain tooth is fitted on top of it, to function as a natural one. The ceramic tooth has to match the remaining teeth in both colour and proportion, and it often has to be replaced throughout its lifespan, as the patients jaw and teeth change with age. Dental implants are quite revolutionary in that they offer a permanent solution to the problem of missing teeth, they are durable, natural-looking, and they are easy to take care of, when compared to other dental devices, such as bridges or dentures.

Why are dental implants necessary?

Anyone who has ever lost an adult tooth can tell you that it’s not a simple thing to deal with, the positioning of the empty socket, gum trauma, and structure of the jaw bone can all affect treatment, but it’s comforting to know that there is a lasting solution; dental implants. Most dental patients would probably agree that a missing tooth is unsightly and somewhat distressing, so it’s not surprising that implants are highly sought after in the world of dentistry. As long as the tissue is healthy and the jaw bone structurally sound, then dental implants can benefit people who have been living with a gap-toothed smile for years not realising that there is available treatment.

Leaving sockets empty after a tooth falls out might not seem like a big problem, particularly if you don’t consider their appearance an issue, but they can have a detrimental effect on the rest of your teeth, without you even noticing at first. Spaces on the jaw bone put more pressure on the surrounding teeth when you are chewing, as the weight distribution alters to make up for the missing tooth. This will eventually lead to changes in the way the mouth functions, even causing orthodontic problems, such as twisted teeth, crowding and protrusions.

Something else to consider is that the human jaw bone needs teeth sitting in it to stay in a healthy condition; teeth are not just for eating and smiling, they also encourage bone growth, which keeps the structure of the face solid. Without any roots attached to it, and no messages to keep replenishing minerals, the jaw will begin to break down underneath the tissue, and this can alter the outward appearance of the chin significantly. Fitting dental implants will not only create a more attractive smile, it will also help improve the structure of the face.

Dental implants can be helpful with dental devices too, if the anchoring teeth are not strong enough to support a bridge or partial dentures. Some patients cannot afford to have an entire jaw line replaced with dental implants, so the dentist will work with a combination of surgical and non-surgical techniques, in order to rebuild their smile. Supporting teeth that hold up an appliance have to be strong and solid, but if they are in a state of decay or they are very weak, they may be replaced with implants, in order to avoid further problems down the line.

How are implants fitted?

Before any implants can be placed, your dentist will have to carry out an x-ray on your jaw, to make sure there is enough bone remaining to support the titanium roots; if it has started to break down after years of neglect, you will have to have a bone graft. This surgical procedure involves taking a section of bone from another area of the body or from a donor, and attaching it to the skull, to form a new jaw. Over time, the new bone will fuse with the human tissue and form a supporting structure for the new teeth. Although this is normally a very effective process, it does stretch the overall treatment time out, by at least several months.

When your jaw is sufficiently stable, the rods can be implanted. This operation is performed under local anaesthetic, so you will be awake and aware of movement, but you won’t feel any pain as the surgeon cuts into your gums. In order to properly fit the titanium rods, a new socket has to be created underneath the soft tissue; to do this the dentist must cut into the gums and use a tiny drill bit to drill a hole into the bone. This part of the treatment is very delicate; if the socket is too small, it will be too tight and painful, but if it is too large, it won’t hold the implant upright properly. When the socket has been prepared, the rod can be fixed in place; most titanium implants will already have a screw thread cut into them, so that all the dentist has to do is turn it until it is held fast in the hole, with a small portion protruding.

The implanting process is quite invasive, and it is for that reason that most patients are fitted with a temporary veneer, to protect the healing implants while they attempt to bond with the jaw bone. It normally takes around six months for the roots to be stable enough to attach the ceramic teeth on top; there’s no point doing it before the implants are strong enough to withstand the daily wear and tear of chewing. You have to have to be patient with this type of treatment, otherwise you won’t get far; don’t put your new teeth under any undue stress, and don’t expect to get results overnight.

If you are interested in getting ceramic dental implants, you can book an initial consultation with one of the surgeons at the Pearl Dental Clinic; the professional team can provide various treatments at reasonable prices, in a comfortable, safe environment.