Are Dental Implants Right For Me?

Age Limits for Implants:

Dental implants should not be done until the patient has completed their growth age, typically age 16 to 17 in females and 18 to 21 in males. Some older patients fear their jaw bone is too weak. The fact is dental implants are equally successful and have an excellent prognosis in any adult patient. No one is too old for dental implants, and for many, improvement in chewing and aesthetics adds confidence and quality to their lives. The fundamental point is whether the patient will be able to tolerate the procedure and give required amount of time and visit at old age or not.

Implants in Patients with Osteoporosis:

Osteoporosis usually does not affect the health of the jaw bone, and dental implants are equally effective and successful.

Can Dental Implants be rejected?

Rejection does not occur with dental implants. Nowadays overall success rate for dental implants is 99% with almost 50 years of clinical research to back them up provided you should be under the hand of its specialist. Because implants are made of biologically compatible “bone-friendly” titanium material, they naturally heal and integrate with the surrounding tissues.

What if I Don’t Have Enough Bone?

The jaw bone undergoes significant shrinkage following the third month after tooth loss and can continue up to 12 months. If the extraction site was not grafted at the time, there might be an inadequate amount of bone for implant placement in future. Bone grafting is indicated in few case otherwise the other alternative prosthetic treatment is indicated.

Dental Implants Success in Smokers:

Studies show an increased risk of complications if patients smoke (more than 20 cigarettes/day) during the initial phases of implants healing. However, once healed and integrated, there is good long term success. It is advised to stop or at least reduced (less than 10/day) smoking for 2-3 months following dental implant placement for optimal results.

Medical Conditions Requiring Special Precautions:

  • Patients with immune deficiency disorder
  • Post-radiation therapy to head and neck region
  • Post-chemotherapy
  • Uncontrolled diabetes: Patients with diabetes may successfully have dental implants as long as they are well controlled. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes can experience poor healing and implant failure, therefore, should seek medical care prior to implant placement.

Implant and Safety:

Dental Implants are quite safe and predictable and complications can be avoided when the procedure is performed by a trained, skillful, and experienced Prosthodontist using specialized instruments and techniques. Dr. Shahi specializes in these procedures and has performed them successfully on many patients since 2007. Our clinic – 3D Dental & Implant Clinic in Kolkata is designed and equipped for such procedures. Methodical, exacting, and detailed protocols are followed strictly to make sure every patient feel a remarkable experience. Dental implants are made of biologically compatible “bone-friendly” titanium material that naturally heals and integrates with the surrounding tissues. Because titanium is accepted so well by the human body, it is also used for orthopedic implants, such as hip and knee replacements.

Choosing the Right Dentist for Implants:

Teeth replacement with dental implants requires the collaborative efforts of a surgeon and a restorative dentist and dental laboratory. Dental implant supported Prosthodontics is a highly skilled discipline, best performed by Prosthodontist who are well trained and perform this procedure routinely. Dr.Harendra shahi specializes in replacement of missing teeth by dental implant and has performed it successfully on thousands of patients. Dental implant has two parts – implant placement & then fixation of crown and / or crown & bridge or overdenture. To get the best outcome from dental implant it is strongly recommended to visit an experienced Prosthodontist so that from initial stage of implant placement to the fixation of teeth, restoration of natural biting pattern and thereafter maintenance should be done by the same / single doctor, rather than by multiple dentist. The reason is Prosthodontist exactly knows the natural Position, Angulations as well as Relation of missing teeth, with adjacent & opposing teeth as well as pattern of available bone at missing teeth site. They place the implant as per the orientation of natural tooth & reconstruct the aesthetic and biting pattern as it was naturally – known as prosthetic driven Implantology.