Dental Implants - a case study
There are few people who look forward to visiting the dentist. but for some, that vital appointment can change their lives. dental surgery has improved their confidence so much that they can't stop smiling.
Surgeon Jeremy Harris, who practises in truro, City road, has met a range of people from those who just need one or two teeth replaced to those that need a whole new set. teeth can be lost through accidents, such as being in a car crash, or through years of irreversible damage from tooth decay brought on by constant sugar intake and smoking, which later leads to gum disease. "some people who have undergone extensive treatment with dental implants have provided personal details of how they haven't gone out for meals for 10 to 15 years due to embarrassed with their teeth, with much reduced chewing ability and food becomng entangled within their dentures. they have to pop to the loo to clean them every so often," says Jeremy. "their social lives can become much curtailed and less enjoyable due to lack of confidence or discomfort. i find this very sad and unnecessary, as securing problem dentures or replacing teeth permanently using implants is such a successful, well-researched and scientifically documented treatment option." Jeremy specialises in dental implants, which are a replacement for the root portion of your natural tooth, made out of titanium. The implant is gently placed within a prepared site in the jaw bone, using specialised instruments.
It is initially firmly fixed, much like a screw in the wall, but over a period of a few months the bone fuses to the specially textured titianium surface of the implant via a process known as "osseointegration". This is a healing process very similar to that of fractured bones healing, and results in the implant essentially becoming part of you.
When the implant has integrated then it can be used for various purposes: to help stabilise or secure loose dentures; as part of a series of implants to which porcelain bridges can be permanently fitted; or to replace single or several missing teeth.
"Implants today represent the closest we can approach to a biological, natural-looking and feeling replacement of missing teeth. The underlying jaw bone is also preserved, as the natural wastage of bone and gum following tooth loss is stopped once implants are in place," Jeremy explains. Roger's ordeal began when his post-crowns kept breaking. Post-crowns are used in basic dentistry for teeth where the structure has been damaged by extensive decay. Rather than getting the damage fixed by a dentist, Roger used superglue to attach the damaged crowns back onto his teeth, allowing decay to spread. This continued for 10 years. "I even had to carry superglue around in my pocket, in case they fell out during the day. This resulted in lots of damaged trousers when the glue leaked!"
Roger can laugh about it now, no longer self-conscious of his smile. But before the treatment, his confidence had hit rock bottom.
"Before the treatment, going for a meal was not an enjoyable experience - I even tried to avoid it. On my birthday, I took my family out for a meal and I had to go to the toilet several times to glue my teeth back in. That's when I realised I had to get this sorted."
Roger had the implant treatment a few years ago, though it has been available in the UK for almost 30 years. Jeremy explains: "Roger is an extreme case, because he has had to have his whole jaw rebuilt and a full set of dental implants, whereas some people just need one tooth or a few teeth replaced."
A whole set of teeth was constructed for Roger by a specialist dental laboratory. While waiting for the bone to grow and the jaw to heal, he had dentures; now his implants look very healthy and white, and completely natural. With constant scientific advances, the treatment has become, and is still becoming, more successful.
The process involves an initial consultation, in which possible alternatives will be discussed, as it is an extreme process. X-rays may be taken and preliminary models prepared. A process is written, outlining the sequence of the treatment and the cost. Bone shrinks as teeth are lost, and it is essential that there is a sufficient amount of bone to ensure the long-term stability of dental implants. Sufficient bone also ensures the attractiveness of the teeth and the face will look a lot fuller. Under local anaesthetic, the bone is regenerated, though this is not always necessary - cow bone is used a lot as it is very similar to human bone. The implant may be inserted at the same time or separately.
There is a recommended three months to allow the implant to fully integrate, which means the bone attaching firmly to the implant. During the healing phase, a denture or adhesive bridge is worn. Once integrated, the implants are uncovered and can be brought into function with a variety of restorations.
The process may sound lengthy, painful and unnatural, but surprisingly, and reassuringly so, this is not the case. Jeremy laughs: "It all does sound a bit a daunting - we are going to rebuild your jaw with some cow bone here, and cut this off, etc. But patients are often surprised at how little pain they experience."
Roger agrees: "I have experienced more pain and discomfort with regular dentistry, such as fillings and post crowns." Jeremy explains that the process is as natural as possible. "With Roger we had no choice but to replace all of the teeth, but our aim is to keep as many of the natural teeth as possible. The process is quite a natural one, as titanium is not rejected by the body and it stimulates natural bone growth. We want to mimic what nature would do naturally."
The treatment also boasts a high success rate of up to 98 per cent. If the implant does fail? "We let it heal and then fit another one." Jeremy says. As for the after-effects and pain, Roger says: "There was rarely pain, but there was swelling and bruising. A mild painkiller would sort it out." After the treatment, patients need to clean thoroughly around the implants with a soft bristled toothbrush. Patients are also advised to visit the dentist for regular reviews so that the health of the soft tissue, bone levels and the integrity of the restoration can be checked.
Aside from the routine maintenance and check-ups, I ask Roger how the treatment has changed him. "The whole treatment has been worth it, and it is the thing that has changed my life more than anything else. I would advise anybody in a similar position to get their teeth fixed as soon as possible. Everybody should be able to eat, smile and laugh with ease and confidence."
Surgeon Jeremy Harris, who practises in truro, City road, has met a range of people from those who just need one or two teeth replaced to those that need a whole new set. teeth can be lost through accidents, such as being in a car crash, or through years of irreversible damage from tooth decay brought on by constant sugar intake and smoking, which later leads to gum disease. "some people who have undergone extensive treatment with dental implants have provided personal details of how they haven't gone out for meals for 10 to 15 years due to embarrassed with their teeth, with much reduced chewing ability and food becomng entangled within their dentures. they have to pop to the loo to clean them every so often," says Jeremy. "their social lives can become much curtailed and less enjoyable due to lack of confidence or discomfort. i find this very sad and unnecessary, as securing problem dentures or replacing teeth permanently using implants is such a successful, well-researched and scientifically documented treatment option." Jeremy specialises in dental implants, which are a replacement for the root portion of your natural tooth, made out of titanium. The implant is gently placed within a prepared site in the jaw bone, using specialised instruments.
It is initially firmly fixed, much like a screw in the wall, but over a period of a few months the bone fuses to the specially textured titianium surface of the implant via a process known as "osseointegration". This is a healing process very similar to that of fractured bones healing, and results in the implant essentially becoming part of you.
When the implant has integrated then it can be used for various purposes: to help stabilise or secure loose dentures; as part of a series of implants to which porcelain bridges can be permanently fitted; or to replace single or several missing teeth.
"Implants today represent the closest we can approach to a biological, natural-looking and feeling replacement of missing teeth. The underlying jaw bone is also preserved, as the natural wastage of bone and gum following tooth loss is stopped once implants are in place," Jeremy explains. Roger's ordeal began when his post-crowns kept breaking. Post-crowns are used in basic dentistry for teeth where the structure has been damaged by extensive decay. Rather than getting the damage fixed by a dentist, Roger used superglue to attach the damaged crowns back onto his teeth, allowing decay to spread. This continued for 10 years. "I even had to carry superglue around in my pocket, in case they fell out during the day. This resulted in lots of damaged trousers when the glue leaked!"
Roger can laugh about it now, no longer self-conscious of his smile. But before the treatment, his confidence had hit rock bottom.
"Before the treatment, going for a meal was not an enjoyable experience - I even tried to avoid it. On my birthday, I took my family out for a meal and I had to go to the toilet several times to glue my teeth back in. That's when I realised I had to get this sorted."
Roger had the implant treatment a few years ago, though it has been available in the UK for almost 30 years. Jeremy explains: "Roger is an extreme case, because he has had to have his whole jaw rebuilt and a full set of dental implants, whereas some people just need one tooth or a few teeth replaced."
A whole set of teeth was constructed for Roger by a specialist dental laboratory. While waiting for the bone to grow and the jaw to heal, he had dentures; now his implants look very healthy and white, and completely natural. With constant scientific advances, the treatment has become, and is still becoming, more successful.
The process involves an initial consultation, in which possible alternatives will be discussed, as it is an extreme process. X-rays may be taken and preliminary models prepared. A process is written, outlining the sequence of the treatment and the cost. Bone shrinks as teeth are lost, and it is essential that there is a sufficient amount of bone to ensure the long-term stability of dental implants. Sufficient bone also ensures the attractiveness of the teeth and the face will look a lot fuller. Under local anaesthetic, the bone is regenerated, though this is not always necessary - cow bone is used a lot as it is very similar to human bone. The implant may be inserted at the same time or separately.
There is a recommended three months to allow the implant to fully integrate, which means the bone attaching firmly to the implant. During the healing phase, a denture or adhesive bridge is worn. Once integrated, the implants are uncovered and can be brought into function with a variety of restorations.
The process may sound lengthy, painful and unnatural, but surprisingly, and reassuringly so, this is not the case. Jeremy laughs: "It all does sound a bit a daunting - we are going to rebuild your jaw with some cow bone here, and cut this off, etc. But patients are often surprised at how little pain they experience."
Roger agrees: "I have experienced more pain and discomfort with regular dentistry, such as fillings and post crowns." Jeremy explains that the process is as natural as possible. "With Roger we had no choice but to replace all of the teeth, but our aim is to keep as many of the natural teeth as possible. The process is quite a natural one, as titanium is not rejected by the body and it stimulates natural bone growth. We want to mimic what nature would do naturally."
The treatment also boasts a high success rate of up to 98 per cent. If the implant does fail? "We let it heal and then fit another one." Jeremy says. As for the after-effects and pain, Roger says: "There was rarely pain, but there was swelling and bruising. A mild painkiller would sort it out." After the treatment, patients need to clean thoroughly around the implants with a soft bristled toothbrush. Patients are also advised to visit the dentist for regular reviews so that the health of the soft tissue, bone levels and the integrity of the restoration can be checked.
Aside from the routine maintenance and check-ups, I ask Roger how the treatment has changed him. "The whole treatment has been worth it, and it is the thing that has changed my life more than anything else. I would advise anybody in a similar position to get their teeth fixed as soon as possible. Everybody should be able to eat, smile and laugh with ease and confidence."
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