Every so often, something comes about in dentistry that changes the entire way the industry works. In 1910, it was the start of braces, by the 50s, it was the birth of the NHS. But the newest revolution has been more of a slow burn; dental implants Leicester moved from being a hospital surgical procedure into a general clinic procedure and by doing so, it has given so many more options to patients up and down the country!
Opening up options
Having a permanently fixed prosthetic tooth in the jawbone is certainly not a new idea. There are patents for fixed prosthetic teeth predating WWI, but they remained strictly experimental. When titanium was developed as the optimum metal for orthopaedic surgeons, it was a very clear overlap. The same technique that allowed titanium pins to become firmly integrated into hip bones could be applied to an artificial root, giving the appropriate anchorage to a crown-like oral prosthetic.
Total Restorations
Traditional restorations have their limitations, the simplest of which is the common filling. It requires structural integrity of the surrounding tooth, as the filling itself just replaces the void of missing enamel and dentin after the decay has been drilled out.
Inlays and onlays can replace larger portions of teeth and can contribute to biting surfaces but still rely on the strength of the underlying tooth when biting down hard. Crowning replaces the majority of the tooth, which significantly improves its mechanical properties as the damaged and fragile material is replaced. But the lifespan of the crown is still limited by the health of the natural root that they have been built on top.
Oral implants replace the entire tooth and root. The upper section is a prosthetic with the subgum titanium implant behaving as an artificial root, extending down into the jaw bone where it is fused. This does not require any remaining tooth to build up from and can even be carried out if there is not a vacant socket. Replacing a tooth lost many decades ago.
Levelling up dentures
Implants do not have to be used to support a single tooth. They can be used in sets to hold much larger structures in the mouth. Pairs of implants can be used at either end of a bridge, supporting up to 4 teeth and a set of four implants (in optimum conditions) can be used to hold an entire denture in place.
This can be a great option for long-term denture users, as it eliminates rubbing and makes their false teeth feel far more integrated into them. With the same brushing and maintenance as their natural teeth.
What makes this all possible?
What has allowed oral implants to become a widespread procedure is moving from hospital-based specialist treatment to a procedure that can be carried out at local clinics. Two things were needed to facilitate this transition: one was safe and reliable anaesthesia. The other was extensive additional training beyond the standard dental degree allowing community dentists to develop the necessary surgical skills.
