Dr. Myers is one of the most experienced restorative dentists in Maine Implant Dentistry.
A dental implant is a medical device that interfaces with the bone of the jaw or skull to support a dental restoration such as a crown, bridge, denture. The basis for modern dental implants is a biological process called osseointegration, in which the implant made of titanium forms a bond to the bone. The implant is first placed so that it is likely to osseointegrate, then a restoration is attached after initial healing.
Success or failure of implants depends primarily on the thickness and health of the bone and gingival tissues that surround the implant, but also on the health of the person receiving the treatment. The amount of forces that will be placed on the implant and fixture during normal function is also evaluated. Planning the position and number of implants is key to the long-term health of the implant restoration. The position of implants is determined by the position and angle of adjacent teeth, by lab computer software or by using cone beam radiography simulations and surgical guides. The prerequisites for long-term success of dental implants are healthy bone and gums. Since both can be damaged after tooth removal, some surgical procedures such as bone and tissue grafts are sometimes required to create ideal bone and gums.
The final restoration can be either fixed, where a person cannot remove the denture or teeth from their mouth, or removable, where they can remove the prosthetic.
The risks and complications related to implant therapy divide into those that occur during surgery (such as excessive bleeding or nerve injury), those that occur in the first six months (such as infection and failure to osseointegrate) and those that occur long-term (such as gum issues and mechanical failures). In the presence of healthy tissues, a well-integrated implant with appropriate biomechanical loads can have 5-year plus survival rates from 93 to 98 percent.
