Developments in Implant Dentistry

                                                                                         

An implant is a replacement root which is used to replace a missing tooth or to act as an anchor to support numerous teeth or even a denture. It can be made of titanium or zirconium.

In my many years working with implants there have been numerous changes in materials and techniques.
The latest and the most exciting advance in implant dentistry is CT guided surgery. This entails me taking a three dimensional scan of the area of interest. I am then able to accurately visualise the position of nerves, blood vessels, surrounding teeth roots as well as potential problems such as a thin area of bone which is inadequate to support the implant. This alerts us to whether there is a need to rebuild the area with bone grafting. This can be done simultaneously or as a separate procedure, to the implant placement, depending on how much bone is missing.

The CT’s obvious advantages are that a surgical site can be investigated and the optimal number, length and type of implants can be planned even without touching the patient. This is a much safer way to undergo implant surgery as the majority of potential problems can be visualised on the scan and so eliminated.
With the information gleaned from the CT scan I am able to commission a custom made surgical guide which fits onto the patient’s jaw. This has guide cylinders which direct me during the placement of the implants. The obvious benefits of this are the surgery becomes a whole lot safer, quicker and thus less traumatic. In some cases, provided the CT scan shows sufficient bone width, it is possible to place the implant(s) without having to cut the gum first.

This further enhances the implant dentist’s ability to produce a restoratively driven treatment plan. This is now the gold standard of implant dentistry. I decide with the patient the position of the teeth and how they look; which is ultimately all that the patient is really interested in. I am then able to work backwards to plan the surgery and design a suitable prosthesis. In this way there are no surprises regarding the final outcome.

There are techniques now available which allow a set of screw-in teeth to be made and fitted at the same appointment as the implant placement. However, there is not much long term data as to what the longevity of these procedures would be. Perhaps it is more prudent to go with procedures that have shown a good track record whilst being aware of the developments which will improve our patient’s quality of life.

About the author:
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