Dental Implants

a periodontist shows an implant model to an elderly man

Invented in 1952 by a Swedish surgeon named Per-Ingevar Branemark, dental implants today offer a highly effective, long-term solution for replacing missing teeth to reestablish a fully functional and attractive smile. Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth or all of the upper and/or lower teeth.

A dental implant is a small, biocompatible post that is surgically positioned by means of a minimally invasive procedure into the jawbone beneath the gums. Once healing takes place and the implant integrates with the bone, it behaves in much the same way as the root of a natural tooth to provide support for an aesthetically appealing dental crown or bridge. A period ranging from 3 to 6 months is required for the jawbone to fuse with the implant via a process known as osseointegration.

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Single Tooth Implant

Multiple Teeth Implant

Zirconia Implants

Mini Implants

a periodontist holds a model denture with single tooth dental implant

Single Tooth Implants

In cases where a single tooth is missing, a dental implant supported crown is an effective replacement that replicates a natural tooth in almost every way. This approach can offer several benefits as compared to a traditional three unit fixed bridge by preserving the integrity of the adjacent natural teeth and preventing the progression of bone loss where a tooth has been lost. Additionally, a dental implant does not decay and cleaning the area can be easier than maintaining a fixed bridge.

Implant Supported Fixed Bridges

As opposed to a traditional fixed bridge, an implant-supported bridge preserves the integrity of the adjacent teeth and virtually stops the bone resorption process that naturally occurs where teeth have been lost. By maintaining the bone in the edentulous areas (the space without teeth), normal facial contours are supported and there is no appearance of a sagging or caved in look. As they are permanently anchored in the jawbone, implant supported bridges fully restore one’s natural biting and chewing capacity.

the hands of a woman holding a pair of dentures

Implant-Supported Overdentures

When all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw are missing, dental implants offer comfortable, stable and cosmetically pleasing solutions to restore a functional smile.
An implant-anchored overdenture is essentially a removable denture that clips on to either a ball or bar attachment in the front part of the jaw. The implant supported attachments help to provide added stability to the denture, keeping it in place and ensuring optimal comfort as well as function. Because the dental implants keep the denture from slipping or dislodging, there is no need to deal with any messy denture adhesives.

Full Arch Fixed Bridge

As an alternative to full dentures, a full arch fixed bridge anchored to multiple dental implants can offer a permanent solution in situations where all the teeth are missing or have been deemed non-restorable and need to be replaced. A full arch fixed bridge anchored to dental implants is a highly stable and cosmetically pleasing solution that lets you eat and function as you would with a full set of natural teeth.

A woman holds a dental implant model while listening attentively to the dentist

Zirconia Dental Implants

Thanks to advances in care, candidates for dental implants today can receive either a titanium metal implant or a zirconia (zirconium oxide) dental implant. While titanium implants remain the most widely used type and have a strong track record for success, the latest generations of zirconia implants offer an equally effective, metal-free, and more cosmetic alternative.
Zirconia dental implants offer several benefits, including:● They provide a metal-free and biologically safe alternative to titanium implants.
● Optimal aesthetics. The white ceramic-like material does not show through any thin areas of overlying bone and gums.
● Pose a lower risk of gum inflammation and less susceptible to the buildup of plaque and debris.
● Have surface characteristics that support excellent osseointegration, or fusion with the surrounding bone, for improved retention and stability.

Mini Dental Implants

Mini implants behave just like a full-sized dental implant, acting as an artificial tooth root to support a customized dental restoration or prosthesis.
Just like its larger cohort, a mini implant is made of biocompatible materials and provides maximum stability for your restoration. However, because mini implants are much smaller than traditional implants, they can better accommodate the specific requirements of certain smiles and treatment considerations.
Mini implants offer an option for patients who have lost significant bone tissue or for medical reasons are not candidates for a bone grafting procedure. They also provide additional stability and support for dentures to prevent slippage and give patients the confidence their dentures will not dislodge when smiling, speaking, or eating.

| Honolulu periodontist |

Dental Implants FAQ's

Read our Dental Implant FAQs to learn more, and feel free to contact us if you have any other questions!

What are the benefits of replacing lost or missing teeth with dental implants?
Dental implants offer several advantages over traditional methods of tooth replacement including:
● Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of natural teeth.
● With precise placement, good oral hygiene and routine care, dental implants can last for many years.
● Dental implants provide continued stimulation to the underlying bone to prevent the bone loss that occurs when teeth are missing to preserve natural facial contours.
● Since implants behave like natural teeth, there is no chance that they will slip or dislodge like removable dentures when speaking or eating.
● With dental implants, it is possible to speak with ease as well as eat and taste all types of food with virtually no restrictions.
● Dental implants do not decay and will not develop cavities.
● Unlike a fixed bridge, dental implants do not require any preparation or crowning of teeth adjacent to the edentulous area.
Who is a candidate for a dental implant procedure?
According to clinical studies, dental implants have a demonstrated long-term success rate of well over 95%. One key to the success and longevity of a dental implant is that sufficient bone is present to provide stable support for the implanted surgical post. If insufficient bone is present, a bone grafting procedure is often recommended prior to the placement of a dental implant.
Additionally, candidates for dental implants should be free of periodontal disease and be aware that a continued, effective oral hygiene routine and care is necessary to maintain a strong and functional implant.
Treatment planning for dental implants
Treatment planning for a patient for the precise placement of a dental implant involves advanced scanning technology and software to map out the details of care from both a prosthetic and surgical perspective. In this way, a case can be planned and meticulously executed from the beginning with the final restoration in mind. With advances in implant dentistry, multiple approaches to care are now being offered. In certain cases, an implant can be placed at the same time a dental extraction is performed.

This procedure is known as, “immediate dental implant placement.” Additionally, it is also sometimes possible to place “same-day dental implants.” With this procedure a temporary crown or bridge can be attached to the implants at the same time they are placed. In all cases, complete healing and osseointegration is required before the placement of the final prosthesis.
What are the types of dental implants?
Most dental implants are made of titanium but are also available in “metal-free” zirconia. Both titanium and zirconia are biocompatible materials, which integrate well with the hard and soft tissues in the jaw. Depending upon the requirements of the case, a single dental implant can be restored with a crown to replace one missing tooth, or multiple implants can be used to support a fixed bridge.

In cases where all of the upper and/or lower teeth are missing, a full-arch, implanted supported bridge can be placed. Special implants can also be placed for added support and stability for removable overdentures or as anchorage devices in orthodontics called “TADs” or Transitional Anchorage Devices.

an older woman is smiling at the sight of her new teeth shown to her by the dentist

At PerioCare Hawaii, we provide skilled and compassionate care to help patients enjoy optimal health and happiness.

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