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Osseointegrated dental implants are the state
of the art in modern dentistry. It is a safer way of replacing missing
teeth, as the patients remaining teeth does not need to be involved
.It also gives the highest aesthetic and functional comfort.
Implant therapy means that a small screw-like
unit made of Titanium fits in the jawbone and when the screws have
anchored to the jawbone, permanent teeth (crown, bridge or a denture)
that is custom designed, shaded to aesthetically suit each patients
distinctive facial requirements are then built and connected to
the screws.
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the small screw-like unit |
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Implants provide additional support where
teeth are missing without putting force onto the remaining natural
teeth. They may be used to support the replacement of a single missing
tooth or a complete set for persons who have lost many or all of
their teeth. Implant therapy is especially suitable for those who
have lost all their teeth as it can improve their life stile and
give them a better self-confidence.
Sophisticated research for over thirty years has
shown that titanium is compatible with the human body and studies
have shown that patients previously treated with these osseointegrated
implants continue to enjoy healthy stable smiles. There are no age
limits as dental implants can range from age 9 to 99.
Types of Implant Application
This is dependent upon the span and the location
of the missing tooth.
Single tooth implants:
Used in cases where just a single tooth is missing and the conventional
method of sacrificing the tooth structure to place a bridge is not
desired.
Partial prosthesis:
Used to replace two or more missing teeth. Here the implants are
placed and used as abutments for a fixed bridge.
Complete fixed bridge:
Used when the entire teeth are missing from the jaw as a fixed,
permanent alternative.
Complete dentures:
Used when the entire teeth are missing from the jaw (removable,
or semi-fixed alternative).
The success rate of implants is over 90%.
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