Do you have a missing tooth or a set of teeth? While it does not hurt or cause discomfort, that gap in your smile can significantly impact your oral and overall health. A missing tooth can increase your risk of tooth decay, cause premature aging, and affect self-confidence and esteem.
Instead of concealing your smile when talking with your peers or in a public space, you should consult your dentist to know the appropriate remedies. Modern dentistry offers a variety of solutions for missing teeth, and one of the best and most preferred is dental implants.
If you have heard of “dental implants” and are unsure what they are or what options are available, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about endosteal implants, including what they are and why they are the most preferred type of implants for most people with missing teeth.
What You Need to Know About Endosteal Implants
Also known as endosseous implants, endosteal implants are the most famous and preferred dental implant type. These implants include small titanium screw-shaped posts that your dentist surgically places on your jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots for holding a new replacement tooth or dental crown in place.
The titanium screws are implanted in your jawbone, usually through your gums, to hold and anchor your new artificial tooth, restoring the beauty of your smile and teeth functions. Oral surgeons prefer using titanium screws for a reason, and that is because they are lighter, stronger, and less resistant to corrosion compared to stainless steel.
How Endosteal Implants Differ From Subperiosteal Implants
As mentioned in the previous sentence, the endosteal implants are titanium screws that your oral surgeon surgically fuses with your jawbone, allowing them to protrude through your gums to hold artificial tooth replacements. However, your oral surgeon could recommend subperiosteal implants if you do not have a healthy jawbone to hold these implants in place.
Instead of surgically placing them into your jawbone, the oral surgeon will place the subperiosteal implants above or on the jawbone. Your oral surgeon can also place them below your gums and allow them to protrude through the gums to anchor and hold an artificial tooth.
Advantages of Endosteal Implants as an Option for Teeth Replacement
Endosteal implants offer several advantages that make them an excellent choice for anyone who wants to replace missing teeth. Here is why it is worth considering them if you want to fix the gap caused by a missing tooth:
They are Durable and Long-Lasting
With proper care, endosteal implants could serve you for a lifetime. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the titanium screw posts that your oral surgeon uses are resistant to corrosion and can also integrate with your jawbone seamlessly.
Improved Oral Health
Unlike a traditional dental bridge, your oral surgeon does not have to file the adjacent healthy teeth before the placement of the endosteal implant, preserving your tooth structure. Indosteal implants also stimulate your jawbone, lessening the risk of bone loss.
They Feel and Appear Natural
Once fused and anchored in your jawbone, the oral surgeon will top the endosteal implant with a teeth-colored crown that resembles and feels like your natural teeth, giving you a seamless smile.
They Help Boost Your Confidence
Endosteal implants can give you a complete and appealing smile that can significantly help boost your confidence.
Improved Functionality
Once they are in place, endosteal implants provide the stability and strength to chew food and speak confidently.
Am I an Excellent Candidate for Endosteal Implants?
Generally speaking, endosteal implants are an excellent tooth replacement option for many patients. However, scheduling an appointment with an oral surgeon is essential to help determine whether you are an ideal candidate for these dental implants. Excellent candidates for dental implants must meet the criteria explained below:
Have Healthy Gums
For the stability of your implants, you must have healthy gums to anchor them into your jawbone. That means if you have an active periodontal disease, treating the condition first is advisable before receiving your endosteal implants.
Have Enough Bone Density
Since the endosteal implants are surgically fused to your jawbone, you must have sufficient bone density to support the implant. If you have insufficient bone mass, your oral surgeon will likely recommend a bone graft before the implant placement.
As the name suggests, a bone graft involves removing a compatible bone from any part of your body and placing it where the implant is needed. Doing that helps build the bone mass required to support your implant for the longest time possible.
Additionally, you should have a fully grown jawbone to qualify for endosteal implants, meaning they are not an excellent teeth replacement option for children and young teenagers.
Have an Excellent Overall Health Routine
Having excellent overall health is essential because implants require you to have a firm jawbone. Additionally, your oral surgeon will ensure that you do not have any underlying medical conditions that could affect your healing after the surgical placement of your endosteal implants.
Be Committed to Excellent Oral and Dental Hygiene
For the implant's success and durability, you must be ready to practice excellent oral and dental hygiene, including brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice daily and scheduling regular check-up appointments with your dentist.
Patients who smoke or have chronic illnesses might not be excellent candidates for endosteal implants because they increase the risk of complications and dental implant failure. In this case, your oral surgeon could recommend a supplemental procedure or a different teeth replacement option.
If you are not an ideal candidate for endosteal implants, your oral surgeon will likely recommend the following solutions:
- Subperiosteal implants
- Bone augmentation
- Ridge expansion
- Sinus augmentation
The last three remedies above help make your jawbone large and strong enough to support endosteal implants.
What the Endosteal Implant Placement Procedure Entails
The endosteal implant placement is a multi-step process. Here is an overview of what to expect during your endosteal implant placement process:
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Initial Consultation and Evaluation
Your journey to a complete and healthy smile you deserve begins with scheduling a consultation with your dentist for an initial assessment to determine whether you are an excellent candidate for the endosteal implants. During this initial examination, your oral surgeon will do the following:
- Evaluate your oral health — Evaluation of your oral and dental health is vital to determine the condition of your existing teeth and gums
- Take CT scans and X-rays — The imaging techniques help the oral surgeon evaluate the bone structure of your jaws and determine whether you have sufficient bone mass to support the implant. If necessary, the dentist will recommend bone grafting before the procedure
- Create your treatment plan — Based on these findings, the oral surgeon will create a tailor-made treatment plan that outlines the expected steps, timeline, and costs
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Removal of Your Damaged Tooth and Bone Grafting
Once the oral surgeon finds you an excellent candidate for an endosteal implant, he/she will schedule you for the first step of the endosteal placement process. If necessary, the dentist will extract the damaged tooth and perform a bone grafting procedure to strengthen your jawbone for the implants.
A thorough cleaning of the incision site is also necessary to minimize the risk of infection during the procedure. The dentist will administer local anesthesia to prevent discomfort during the procedure, which numbs the incision site. If you have dental anxiety, your oral surgeon could also use sedatives to make you fall asleep and unconscious during the procedure.
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Preparation for the Endosteal Implant Placement
Once the incision site is numb, the oral surgeon will make a small incision into your gums and use specialized tools to drill into your jawbone, where he/she will place a titanium screw post or implant. The implant acts as your tooth roots for the new tooth replacement.
After this procedure, the oral surgeon will allow your jawbone to grow around the implant through a process known as osseointegration. The osseointegration process could take two (2) to six (6) months. Oftentimes, the oral surgeon will use a temporary denture to fill the gap as your jawbone fuses with the implant.
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Placement of Your Abutment
Once your implant is anchored in your jawbone, the oral surgeon will require you to schedule another appointment for the abutment placement. The abutment is the post that protrudes above your gums to hold your new tooth replacement. For placement of this piece, your oral surgeon will have to perform another incision to reopen your gums and expose the implant.
Afterward, the dentist could place a temporary cap on top of the abutment as your gums heal to protect it.
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Final Crown or New Artificial Tooth Attachment
Once your gums heal completely, usually after about two weeks, the oral surgeon will require you to schedule an appointment for the placement of your new tooth replacement, also known as a dental crown. Depending on your desires, the tooth replacement could be fixed or permanent. Here is what to expect during this final step of your endosteal implant placement process:
- Impression making — The oral surgeon will take the impressions of your mouth to aid him/her in creating your new custom dental crowns that match the size and shape of your teeth for a seamless smile
- Crown placement — Once your dental crown is fabricated, the oral surgeon will attach it to the abutment using dental cement or screws
- Final adjustments — Your oral surgeon will make the final touches and adjustments on your new artificial tooth to ensure that the alignment feels natural and comfortable
While endosteal implant placement is time-consuming, your patience will pay off because the results are life-altering. The rule of thumb is to work with a dedicated and experienced oral surgeon who understands the entire endosteal implant placement process and the best way to achieve the desired results.
Possible Risks Associated With the Endosteal Implant Placement Process
While endosteal implants boast an excellent success rate among most patients, like any other surgical procedure, some complications could occur during and after the treatment. Awareness of these risks can help you make an informed decision and thoroughly prepare for the treatment. Here is an overview of these possible risks and complications
Infection
One common risk of the endosteal implant placement is the possibility of infection after the procedure. An infection is more likely if your body rejects the implants or fails to maintain top-notch oral hygiene after the procedure.
Implant Failure
Your implant can fail if it does not properly integrate with your jawbone and the surrounding tissues or when it becomes loose. Some of the factors that can increase your chances of endosteal implant failure include the following:
- Improper placement of the implant
- Lack of adequate bone density
- Poor oral hygiene
When your endosteal implant fails, your oral surgeon could recommend removing it to avoid further complications.
Mechanical Issues
Mechanical issues are also possible after the placement of your implants. Examples of these mechanical issues include the breakage or loosening of your titanium screws. Generally speaking, implants topped up with a single dental crown are more likely to loosen compared to those restored with multiple crowns (at least five)
Peri-implantitis
As the name suggests, peri-implantitis is a form of periodontitis that occurs around your implant due to bacterial infection and could lead to implant failure and bone loss when left unchecked or untreated. An excellent oral hygiene routine is vital, including regular dental check-up appointments to minimize the risk of developing peri-implantitis.
Sinus Issues
Sinus complications are possible when the dentist places the endosteal implant on your upper jaw to replace missing teeth. That is particularly true if the implant protrudes into your sinus cavity, causing sinusitis.
Your dentist can notice the possibility of these risks during your routine dental appointments for appropriate treatment. That is why missing or skipping your biannual routine dental appointment is not wise, especially if you have endosteal implants.
Find a Skilled Oral Surgeon Near Me
Endosteal implants offer an effective and permanent remedy for a missing tooth or set of teeth, restoring your smile aesthetics and teeth functions. If you feel that you could be an excellent candidate for endosteal implants based on the information explained in this article, you should schedule an appointment with a licensed oral surgeon.
We invite you to call our professional dentist and oral surgeons at Lasting Impressions Dental Spa at 818-751-5100 if you or a loved one is looking for a remedy for missing teeth in Encino.
