Implants are a fantastic option to replace missing teeth. They nearly mimic natural teeth anatomy and function, especially considering that the adjacent teeth in the mouth are not “shaved” or modified to assist in an implant placement. But, despite so many advantages, there are several important factors that can determine the success of an implant in the mouth. Just like any other prosthetic in your body (artificial knee, shoulder, pins or screws in the spine), an implant is also a prosthetic which is fabricated with surgical grade materials. Most commonly titanium. There are ceramic implants being manufactured as well, but titanium is generally used more due to the higher biocompatibility and success spectrum.
If a patient is considering getting implants, they need to know their systemic and health history well enough to be translated to the dentist or surgeon. It is extremely important to know the health history in detail, especially if there is a history of bone diseases like osteoporosis, osteopenia, arthritis, cancer to name a few. Certain medications can also hinder the integration of implants to bone – for example medications that are clubbed under the group of “bisphosphonates”. And if a patient is on “blood thinning” medications like Warfarin, Coumadin, Xarelto, the dental surgeon will work with the patient’s physician or cardiologist to tailor the medications accordingly to ensure proper clotting during the surgery. Radiation is a huge contraindication to placement of implants in certain situations because it can affect the “quality of bone” that the implant needs to bind into. Especially if radiation and chemotherapy has happened in the head and neck area.
The other big factor is the thickness of bone in the region of the implant placement. The dentist or the treating surgeon will take a 3D scan called the Cone Beam CT Scan to see the cross section of bone in the area in question, and evaluate if there is enough bone to place the implant in. If there isn’t, then grafts are usually recommended and done beforehand as part of “site preparation”.
Recent studies have also revealed a higher failure in implant integration in patients with penicillin allergy. So is a history of smoking cigarettes or recreational drugs.
All these pointers are not to deter a patient for a consultation for an implant with the dentist. These are parameters in place after years of research that have been laid out there to ensure the best possible outcome for the surgery. Please reach out to the dentists at Advanced Dental Care for a detailed discussion and referrals to the surgeons that they closely work with to get a customized care plan.