If you have missing teeth and you want a fixed solution then you may have to seriously consider either fixed bridgework or dental implants. If you wear dentures then dental implants can also be used to secure them and prevent them from moving around when eating.
Dental implant placement first of all requires bone quantity and quality which requires a clinical examination followed by a CT Scan (3D X-ray) to allow assessment of the bone. If there is adequate bone then the number and position of implant placement can also be planned.
For accurate positioning of implants a surgical guide can be constructed using special software and a 3d printer which can be used on the day of the surgery. Guided surgery is accurate and allows efficient, quicker placement of dental implants with no guesswork. This enhances the final result and is becoming the gold standard of implant dentistry today.
Loose dentures are a common problem especially in the older population. When there is little remaining bone left in the lower jaw it can be very difficult to eat as there is nothing to stabilise the denture. Although many patients learn to control their denture it can have a significant impact on their quality of life. In these scenarios dental implants can be life changing as even a minimum of two dental implants can greatly increase the stability and retention of the denture.
There are an abundance of implant sizes available today allowing dentists to treat even the most challenging of cases. Narrow and short diameter implants allow placement in cases where there is little bone remaining without the need for additional bone grafting.
Dental implants can also be used to create a fixed solution for edentulous patients or in the terminal dentition. A minimum of 4 implants can help secure an implant bridge and can all be done on the same day. These types of procedures are now very common as the increased technology and wide variety of implants available has made the procedure very safe and predictable.