Understanding Dental Implant Restorations
Hello, I'm Dr. Alex Matheson here at Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center. We get lots of questions about dental implant restorations. Today, I want to talk about some of the common questions we receive in hopes of helping you understand how dental implants are restored.
What is dental implant restoration?
A dental implant restoration is the teeth that sit on top of the dental implants. A dental implant is a titanium screw that gets inserted into the jawbone, and then we put either a tooth or teeth on that implant or implants. The restoration is the part of the implant that you'll see coming out of the gums that looks like a tooth.
What does a dental implant restoration entail?
An implant restoration entails first having the dental implants placed. The implants are the screws that go into the jawbone. They need to be placed and then go through a healing period, which is different for every situation but usually takes about three to four months.
Once the implant is healed into the bone and we've ensured it is well integrated, we take an impression. Usually, in our office, we'll take a digital impression to see in the lab what the surrounding environment looks like. We observe the teeth on either side and the gums to make a tooth that looks very natural coming out of the gums and fits with the overall scheme of all the other teeth.
How can I make my dental implants white again?
When you're getting a dental implant restoration, it's important to discuss the shade of the tooth with the dentist. We can make the dental implant restoration any shade, typically matching it to the surrounding teeth. If you want to whiten your teeth, the best time to do it is before we restore the implant so we can match the new tooth to the surrounding teeth.
Once you have the dental implant restoration in, you can't make it whiter with bleach. The only way is to remove it and do another one that's whiter because it doesn't bleach on its own. If you're planning to whiten your teeth and haven't had a dental implant restoration yet, it's best to whiten first, then restore the tooth to match your bleached teeth.
Is it possible to do screw retained crown restorations of single implants?
When you have a single implant, you can restore it in a couple of ways: cemented on or screwed on. There are pros and cons to both. All things being equal, a screw-retained one is better because it's retrievable. If something happens down the road and we need to change the restoration, it's easier to unscrew and take it out than to cut something off, which is the case when cemented. It is possible to do a screw-retained restoration.
In some cases, especially in the front teeth, it can be tricky depending on the angle of the implant, but in most cases, you can do a screw-retained restoration.
How many years can you keep a dental implant?
Dental implants have a long life expectancy if placed and cared for well. There are two parts to making a dental implant restoration last: the dentist's role and your role in home care. The dentist selects the right parts, gets the bite right, and ensures it's cleansable. Your role involves flossing daily, brushing twice a day, and visiting the dentist every six months to check that everything looks good around your dental implant restoration.
How many times can dental implant restorations be replaced?
Dental implant restorations can be replaced multiple times. We try not to, but there are times when change is needed. For instance, if you decide to whiten your teeth, the restoration won't whiten, but your teeth will. If your dental implant restoration is darker than the other teeth, we might replace it.
It's also possible if you lose adjacent teeth and want to switch from a single tooth implant to a bridge. Although possible, frequent replacements aren't recommended as parts can wear down over time. You can do it a few times, but it's best to avoid constant changes.
How common is dental implant failure?
Dental implants are very successful, though sometimes an implant will fail. Depending on the study, dental implants are about 98 to 99.7% successful. If a dentist places 100 implants, it's normal to have one or two failures where the implant doesn't integrate with the bone as desired. This doesn't necessarily mean anything went wrong; it's just statistical.
At Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center, if someone has an implant failure—which is rare—we usually replace it without extra charge and continue as planned.
What is the most common reason for implant failure?
There can be a few reasons for implant failure. One significant reason is micro-movement. We typically don't put the implant restoration on until about 3 to 4 months later, allowing integration into the bone. The first couple of months are critical, and we avoid stress or micro-movement.
However, certain actions, like playing with the healing abutment with your tongue or fingers, or chewing on it, can cause micro-movement. It's crucial not to touch or play with it. Infection is another cause of implant failure, so following the dentist's post-surgery guidelines, including taking antibiotics and using antiseptic mouth rinse, is vital. With precautions, implant failure is rare.
Can you save a failing dental implant?
There are instances where we can save a failing dental implant. If there's an infection, implant-saving surgery may be possible. We might use lasers or certain chemicals to clean the tooth's surface. So, a failing implant isn't always doomed. However, in some cases, it is. If you suspect problems with your implant, visit us promptly so we can assess it.
How can you prevent dental implants from failing?
Preventing dental implant failure involves maintaining good hygiene. Keeping teeth, implants, and anything in the mouth clean is crucial. Proper brushing, flossing, and following any additional recommendations from your dentist or hygienist are essential. Sometimes, we suggest using a proxy brush, which is like a little pipe cleaner on a stick. Keeping your dental implant restoration clean is one of the most important things you can do.
How long does implant restoration take?
Creating a dental implant restoration can take anywhere from two weeks to a couple of months, depending on the type of restoration. A single tooth implant restoration typically takes about two to three weeks from the digital impression to delivering the implant restoration. More complex restorations, like full arch implant restorations, can take longer, sometimes three to four weeks, due to their complexity in the lab.
How do I know when my implant is ready to restore?
The best way to know when your implant is ready to restore is time. Implants need time to integrate into the bone. We generally wait about 3 to 4 months before restoring your implant. There are other methods, like using a device to measure ISQ (Implant Stability Quotient) for stability, but time is the primary factor. We need to give it about three to four months before it can be restored.
If you're missing a tooth or hoping to replace some missing teeth, please call us at Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center. We'd be happy to set you up with a no-cost consultation where we can discuss dental implant restorations and how they can improve your life.
If you live in or near Queen Creek, AZ, and are looking for dental care, contact us at (480) 888-8123 to set an appointment. Our staff would love to talk with you!