26 Issue # 8 , December 2017
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When is dental implant treatment not possible ?
It may not be possible to place implant if the jaw bone is not sufficiently thick to fit the dental implant and bone grafting is not possible . Also , implants are not suitable for patients with untreated gum disease or uncontrolled diabetes , because of the risk of failure through infection or poor healing .
There are other medical conditions that may contraindicate the use of implants include blood clotting disorders ; certain bone diseases , deficiencies in the immune system , severe systemic illnesses and drug abuse . Although smoking is not contra-indicated for implant , however smokers must be forewarned of lower implantation success rate because smokers heal less efficiently than non-smokers and are more likely to experience loosening of their implants . Quitting smoking will significantly improve your chances of successful dental implant treatment .
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What does implant treatment involve ?
• Clinical Examination Your dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth and will take x-ray of your jaws to assess the shape and condition of your bone tissue and identify the locations of any important structures , such as nerves and sinuses , which may be close to the intended implantation site . This will allow the implant dentist to plan exactly how the implants will be placed . In a more complex situation , a computed tomography ( CT ) scan may be used to provide three-dimensional images , but this is a more costly procedure and exposes you to more radiation than standard radiographs . Thus , it will be only recommended when necessary .
• Placement of the dental implant Implant surgery can be carried out using either a one-stage or twostage procedure , depending on your particular clinical circumstances . In either case , the surgery involves making a small incision in the gum to expose the bone and using a special drill to shape the implant site .