Dental Implants
When searching for a solution to replace missing teeth we are no longer limited to just dentures or partial dentures, there are now highly sophisticated dental implants available.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium ‘roots' which, when placed in the upper or lower jaw, bond with the bone, thus acting as anchors for the replacement teeth (implant crowns and bridges).
Dental implants look, feel and function like your natural teeth and have the highest success rate for tooth replacement (over 95%). They prevent bone loss and shrinkage of the jawbone which can make the face look older and therefore implants gives you a younger looking appearance.
Why Dental Implants?
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Eat What You Want
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Improved appearance
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Improve Speech
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Taste Food Again
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Comfortable and Permanent
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Look Younger
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Improve Self Esteem
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Long Lasting
Single implants
If you are missing only one tooth, a dental implant is often the best choice. The dental implant replaces the lost tooth root and acts as post for the implant crown. Grinding the neighbouring teeth is not needed. The implant transmits the chewing force to the jaw bone. This natural stress keeps the keeps the jaw bone vital so that it does not loose contour.
Multiple Implants
An implant-supported bridge is similar
to a regular dental bridge, but it is supported by implants and not by natural teeth.
It is used when more than one tooth is missing. It also may be used when you put too much pressure on individual implants to share excessive forces when joining the crowns together.
For example, clenching or grinding your teeth can put a lot of pressure on your implants.
This can increase the chances that they will loosen from the bone and fail.
An implant-supported bridge reduces the pressure on the individual implants as it is a joint structure and spreads the load across the entire bridge.
Full Arch Implants
The full arch dental implant bridge is a popular solution that can permanently replace an entire arch of teeth - either upper or lower.
The essence of procedure takes only one day.
It only takes 4 – 6 dental implants
to support an entire arch of teeth
(instead of the usual 8-10 implants).
Dr Benson recommends the Prettau Zirconia Bridges
for maximum aesthetics and long lasting results.
As an alternative, hybrid solutions are also available.
Both solutions deliver bright, natural-looking teeth and smile.
Traditional Full Arch Treatment Options
All-on-4
Full Arch Bridge
In 1993, Dr Paulo Malo established the All-on-4 concept. The design of the "All-on-4" immediate implant bridge was developed in 2003 by Malo and colleagues. The "All-on-4" concept is based on the principle that four implants, a combination of two straight anterior and two tilted posterior, placed within the upper or lower jaw, would provide enough support to maintain a full-arch fixed prosthesis.
Many long term studies and published data on the "All-on-4" concept reported cumulative survival rates between 92.2% and 100%.
The "All-on-4" concept can be successfully used with Hybrid (titanium bar reinforced acrylic) and Full Contour Prettau Zirconia bridges.
Precision Bar Supported Removable Denture
Implant supported overdenture with milled bar is an alternative option for some cases. In these cases the implant acts as retainer and a rigid anchorage system holder (bar) under the overdenture, so the denture is not needed to be held on soft tissues.
The real advantages of implant supported milled bar overdentures over "All-on-4" fixed bridges are with severe bone loss cases . When there is a loss of soft and hard tissues, especially in the upper jaw.
Locator Implant Abutment Supported Denture
Traditional dentures can be uncomfortable, can become loose and affect your speech. They can also spoil your enjoyment of eating – affecting both your options and the taste of food. Implant-supported dentures, are much easier to wear. They are firmly held in place by implants, so you can laugh, eat and speak with confidence. They are easily removed for cleaning. The dentures can be attached to implants using locator attachments. The denture than will click tightly on to the implants and gives patients the security and confidence to smile, talk and eat.