Dental implants are made of titanium, which is biocompatible. This means the implants will not cause any reaction when they come into contact with body tissue. Titanium is a strong, light, safe, and non-allergen material that fuses with the bone perfectly. This titanium screw is surgically fixed into your jawbone so that your natural bone grows around it. Over this implant, a temporary cap-like structure is placed to protect it, this is later replaced by the dental prosthesis which will be visible (crown or bridge). There are various options when it comes to implant prosthesis. From fused porcelain to metal, to more aesthetic and better quality materials like Zirconia, E-max, Lithium Di-silicate, etc., there are many options to choose from. Dental implant materials are robust and resistant to corrosion and fracture. 

There are several options available to replace missing teeth, but implants are considered the best. Implants are permanent and fixed prostheses. They replace and mimic a natural tooth without harming the adjacent healthy teeth. They are stable and fixed in the jaw bone and feel just like your own teeth, which isn’t always the case with other alternatives. Implants are the most efficient way to create a natural look combined with stability, providing a lifelong and durable alternative to removable dentures or fixed bridges. While the titanium screws replace the roots of the missing teeth, the final prosthesis replaces the crowns. These custom prostheses are made of ceramic materials and are designed to provide the look and feel of your natural teeth. While dentures have to be replaced every several years, implants are permanent.

Conventional implants have two parts and require 3-5mm of bone width to be surgically inserted. But for many people, thinning of the bone may have occurred due to aging, missing teeth, or periodontal problems. Mini implants can still be placed into these deteriorated jaw bones. Mini implants are made of a one-piece screw that’s less than 3mm in diameter and includes a ball-shaped end that protrudes from the jawbone. These (mini) implants can be placed in a non-invasive way over the gum as compared to conventional implants which are surgically drilled under the gum. Treatment using mini implants requires less time than conventional implants and can be provided in just one visit. No stitches and only a local anesthetic are needed. Mini implants do not use screws like conventional implants. They are held in place by elastic O-rings on a ball at the top of the implant. These Mini implants can also be used to stabilize dentures, helping to keep them securely in place.

The success of implant surgery depends upon the blood circulation in the particular region of the jaw where the implant is fitted. Smoking causes the gum tissue to dry up and blood flow to decrease. This can cause a delay in healing. When combined with alcohol, this effect is even more pronounced and results in severely reduced circulation. Both of these issues, combined with the fact that cigarette smoking can actually burn mouth tissue, create less chance of successful implant surgery. Smoking and drinking should be avoided during the whole process of fitting implants. 

Implant surgery involves several steps that are undertaken at specific time intervals. Before starting the therapy, your dentist will perform a comprehensive examination to check the health of your mouth. This may include X-rays and full mouth 3D scans to confirm that the health of your gums and jawbone is sufficient to support an implant, and formulate your treatment plan. Your dentist will then fix the titanium implant into your jaw bone. This usually takes about 1-2 hours for each implant. After this step is completed, most dentists wait about 3 months before fitting the new crown onto the implant. Time is needed for the implant to fuse into the bone and create a strong base to support your new tooth. The last step, after the implant is healed, is the fitting of the crown to the implant. 

The healing period is very important in making sure that the procedure is a success. It is essential to allow time for the implant to fuse into the bone so that it can support the final prosthesis. The time period between the implant surgery and the fitting of the crown/bridge is vital. This healing period is generally around 3 months, but depends on how quickly your gums and bone heal. It normally takes an average of six to eight months after an implant surgery for the tissues to fully heal. However, it can take longer, depending on other factors like bone grafts or comorbidities.

Implant surgeries are considered to be one of the safest surgical treatments that exist. The risk of failure of an implant is 1-2%. The outcome of a dental implant surgery and the period of its sustainability depends on various factors. These include general health, immunity, presence of other systemic diseases like diabetes and habits like smoking or drinking. Implants are made of titanium or titanium alloys. These are also used in orthopedic implants and even artificial hearts due to their impressive biocompatibility. Being biocompatible means that the material isn’t toxic or harmful to living tissues. It also means that implants do not harm the adjacent teeth. Dental implants are also designed to promote jawbone growth in the areas where they are placed.

Implants may be the best option for tooth replacement, but the treatment can be long and expensive. There are other options which take less time and are more affordable. These include tooth supported bridges, partial dentures, resin-bonded bridges, temporary dentures (flippers), etc. Dentures are removable appliances that rest on your gums and derive support from your existing teeth and gums. These are removable and are not as stable as implants. They may also alter the taste of food. Tooth-supported bridges are fixed appliances. For these, your dentist will cut or reduce the size of two or more adjacent healthy teeth and fix an appliance to these teeth just like a bridge does. 

However, all of these have their own drawbacks and can never be as aesthetically pleasing as an implant. It is advisable to thoroughly discuss your options with your dentist before formulating a treatment plan.