It has always been the aim of all prosthetic dental treatment to restore natural conditions in the mouth as naturally as possible when teeth have decayed or been lost. The fewer teeth remaining, the more difficult it is to achieve this aim.
With large prostheses, it is frequently impossible to achieve perfect functioning in the long term, due to changes may occur in the jaw and the gums of the mouth as a result of the situation. The prostheses no longer fit well and it does not hold.
In many cases, tooth implants offer a better solution. Implants replace missing teeth, including the root. They are implanted in the jaw in place of the old missing teeth. While the implant is healing, the bone adheres to it, so eventually it is firmly anchored in the bone.
During the healing or incorporation period, which lasts at three months, the implant lies under the gum, which protects it against stresses during this phase. Then a peg is screwed into the implant, on which the "new tooth" is firmly fixed in place like a traditional crown. The implant takes on the pressure from chewing instead of the root, and gently introduces it into the jaw, almost like the natural tooth.

  

ANKYLOS implants are manufactured from biologically compatible neutral titanium. Titanium is accepted by the human organism. The body does not react by rejecting the material.
ANKYLOS implants have roughened surfaces. This provides favourable conditions for firm incorporation and anchoring of the "new root" in the jaw.
The particular shape of ANKYLOS implants promotes firm anchoring immediately after implantation (primary stability) and helps to protect the jaw from stress induced by chewing.

 

The Tapered Screw-Vent implant is designed to exceed your expectations in every implant case. Time saving features like the patented Fixture Mount/Transfer minimize valuable chairtime, while the internal hex connection with friction-fit abutments assures a reliable restoration. The tapered body enhances initial stability while allowing placement in even the most challenging locations.
 
Why Dental Implants?
We all feel that our teeth are important. But, when your smile begins to affect your quality of life, the health, function and appearance of your teeth take on a whole new meaning.
Nobody needs to endure unhealthy or missing teeth, or the embarrassment of slipping dentures. Now, with dental implants, we can restore your missing teeth without needing to grind down adjacent teeth (crown & bridge) or employ traditional dentures (ridge supported and retained).
With dental implants, we can provide you with ideal function and esthetics. You will again smile with confidence. No other dental procedure can give you a more natural look or anchor crowns more securely.

How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants act as artificial roots. They are surgically placed into your jaw, and are the closest substitute to natural teeth in form and function. Once a dental implant is firmly integrated into your jaw, it can be used to support single crowns, bridges and dentures. Whether you are missing one tooth, several teeth or all of your teeth, dental implants may be an option for you.
 
What is the Implant Procedure?

The first step in the process is the development of an individualized treatment plan. The plan addresses your specific needs and is prepared by our professional who is specially trained and experienced in oral surgery and restorative dentistry. His team approach provides coordinated care based on the implant option that is best for you.
Next, the tooth root implant, which is a small post made of titanium, is placed into the bone socket of the missing tooth. As the jawbone heals, it grows around the implanted metal post, anchoring it securely in the jaw. The healing process can take from 3 to 6 month.
Once the implant has bonded to the jawbone, a small connector post ­ called an abutment ­ is attached to the post to securely hold the new tooth. To make your new tooth or teeth, your dentist makes impressions of your teeth, and creates a model of your bite (which captures all of your teeth, their type, and arrangement). Your new tooth or teeth are based on this model. A replacement tooth, called a crown, is then attached to the abutment.
Dental Implants are a Functional and Desirable Alternative to Conventional Bridges and Dentures
 
How Do I Care for My Dental Implants?
Caring for dental implants is the same as caring for natural teeth. Simply follow the oral hygiene basics, which include brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups. Our dentist or hygienist will show you how to keep your new teeth clean.
 
Can Anyone Get Dental Implants?
There are no relative health contraindications to dental implants. Patients should have healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implant. They also must be committed to good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. In most cases, anyone healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery can be considered for an implant procedure. Heavy smokers, people suffering from uncontrolled chronic disorders ­ such as diabetes or heart disease ­ or patients who have had radiation therapy to the head/neck area need to be evaluated on an individual basis. If you are considering implants, talk to us to see if they are right for you.
 
What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?
There are many advantages to dental implants, including:

* Improved appearance. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. And because they are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent.
* Improved speech. With poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within the mouth causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that your teeth might slip.
* Improved comfort. Because they become part of you, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.
* Easier eating. Sliding dentures can make chewing difficult. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favourite foods with confidence and without pain.
* Improved self-esteem. Dental implants can give you back your smile, and help you feel better about yourself.
* Improved oral health. Dental implants don't require reducing other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving your long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene.
* Durability. Implants are very durable and will last many years. They require the same care as real teeth, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.
* Convenience. Removable dentures are just that; removable. Dental implants eliminate the embarrassing inconvenience of removing your dentures, as well as the need for messy adhesives to keep your dentures in place.
* Infection is uncommon with dental implant surgery.
 
How Successful Are Dental Implants?

At our dental clinic, dental implants have a success rate of 98%. With proper care, implants can last a lifetime.
 
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is a titanium metal rod which is placed into the jawbone. It is used to support one or more false teeth. In practice, both the false teeth and their supporting rod are known as 'implants'.
 
Are implants safe? How long will they last?
Implants are a well-established, tried-and-tested treatment. 90 per cent of modern implants last for at least 15 years.
 
I have some of my own teeth. Can I still have implants?
Yes. You can have any number of teeth replaced with implants ­ from one single tooth to a complete set.
 
Can implants always be used to replace missing teeth?
It depends on the state of the bone in your jaw. Your dentist will arrange for a number of special tests to assess the amount of bone still there. If there is not enough, or if it isn't healthy enough, it may not be possible to place implants without grafting bone into the area first.
 
Do implants hurt?
Placing the implants requires a small operation. This can be carried out under local anaesthetic with sedation or with a general anaesthetic. You will not feel any pain at the time, but you may feel some discomfort during the week following the surgery. This is usually due to having stitches in place, and the normal healing process.
 
How long does treatment take?
Your dentist will be able to give you a provisional timetable before the treatment begins.
Usually the permanent teeth are fitted 6 ­ 9 months after the implants are put in.
 
How soon can I have the new teeth?
The implants need to bond (integrate) with the bone after they have been put in. This takes at least 3 months in the lower jaw and 6 months in the upper jaw. Sometimes the implants may be stable enough when they are fitted for the artificial teeth to be attached much sooner than this.
If you are having one, two or three teeth replaced, you will have a temporary restoration in the meantime. If you have complete dentures, then these can be worn throughout the healing period once they have been modified after the surgery.
 
Are the teeth difficult to clean?
Cleaning around the teeth attached to the implants is no more difficult than cleaning natural teeth. However, there may be areas that give you problems and you'll be shown methods to help.
 
If I had gum disease when I had my own teeth, will I get it with the teeth attached to the implants?
Yes, if you don't care for them well enough. If you keep them clean, and don't smoke, then you should not have any problems.
 
Can I take the teeth out if they are fixed to implants?
Most artificial teeth attached to implants can only be placed and removed by the dentist. However, if you have complete dentures fixed to the implants by bars, then you'll be able to take them out for cleaning.
 
Do the implants show?
Your dentist will make sure that the implants won't show during all normal movements of the mouth and lips. You will need to be able to see them, so that you can clean them properly.
 
Do I have an implant for each missing tooth?
No, unless you're only having a single tooth replaced. Normally, five or six implants are used to replace all the teeth in one jaw, as each implant can usually support two teeth. For a few missing teeth, two or three implants may be used.
 
What if I get hit in the face?
Implants and the teeth they support can be damaged by an accident in the same way that natural teeth can. However, if the false teeth are damaged then the remnants are left in the bone and they may be more difficult to remove than natural teeth would be. After healing, new false teeth can then be placed alongside the fragments.
 
What happens if the implant does not bond (integrate) with the bone?
This happens very rarely. If the implant becomes loose during the healing period or just after, then it is easily removed and healing takes place in the normal way. Once the jaw has healed, another implant can be placed there. Or, the dentist can make a bridge, using the implanted false teeth that have 'taken'.
 
Is the treatment expensive?
Unfortunately, yes. However, in many situations, the cost of the treatment is only a little more than the cost of more conventional treatment with crowns and bridges.
There are advantages to it, too. An implant to replace a single tooth avoids the need to cut down the teeth either side for crowns to support a bridge. Normal dentures often mean you can't eat or speak well, due to the dentures moving about. But teeth attached to an implant don't cause this problem.

7.11.07