Dental Implant

Dental implant placement is a time-saving and cutting-edge surgical procedure that aims at replacing missing teeth with artificial roots from biocompatible titanium. These implants become the root of fixed or removable prosthetic teeth, functionally and aesthetically similar to natural teeth. Dental implants provide higher durability, aesthetics, and functionality than other tooth replacement options such as traditional dentures and bridges.

The main use of dental implants is to replace missing teeth, which helps restore both the functional and aesthetic capabilities of the mouth. They prevent bone loss, preserve facial structure, and allow people to chew and speak properly again. Dental implants fuse with the jawbone, making them a permanent alternative to removable dentures. Moreover, they also help in distributing the bite force evenly, which takes the patient to avoid causing strain to the remaining teeth and also avoids any possible misalignment.

• An impeccable alternative for persons who:
• Have one or more teeth that are missing.
• Have sufficient density of the jawbone to hold an implant.
• Have little or no signs of serious gum ailment.
• Do not have uncontrolled medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, osteoporosis) that may impair healing of the bone.
• Are looking for a permanent and natural looking solution for tooth replacement.

There are multiple types of dental implants, including:

• Endosteal Implants: The most popular variety of dental implant, surgically inserted into the jaw similar to a screw.
• Subperiosteal Implants: Suitable for people with inadequate bone mass, placed beneath the gum but over the jawbone.
• Zygomatic Implants: A special implant anchored into the zygoma (cheekbone) for patients with severe jawbone loss.
• All-on-4 Implants: A full-arch restoration procedure that uses four implants placed strategically in the jaw to support an entire arch of teeth.

Placing the dental implant takes place over many stages:

• Initial Consultation and Assessment – The first step is to assess the patient’s oral health, jawbone density, and whether they are suitable and/or a candidate for implants, which is mostly done through using X-rays or CT scans.
• Tooth Extraction (if necessary) – If a damaged tooth exists, it will be extracted prior to placement of the implant.
• Bone Grafting (if necessary) – A bone graft may be done to create a firm foundation if your jawbone is too thin.
• Surgery for Implant Placement – The titanium implant is surgically placed in the jawbone using local or general anesthetic.
• Healing & Osseointegration – Over a 3–6 month period, the implant integrates into the jawbone and provides a durable base.
• Abutment Placement — After healing is complete, a connector (abutment) is placed on the implant.
• Crown Placement – A custom-made dental crown is placed on the abutment, completing the restoration.

Some of the benefits of dental implants are:

• Very natural appearance and feel, nearly like actual teeth.
• Better chewing efficiency and speech intelligibility. Endure durability, decades if well cared.
• Prevention of jawbone loss and deterioration.
• More comfortable than removable dentures.
• Do not affect adjacent healthy teeth, unlike bridges.

Compared to denture and bridgework, dental implants provide:

• Permanence – Dentures are removable, but implants are fixated.
• Jawbone Maintenance – Prevents bone loss associated with missing teeth.
• No Damage to Neighboring Teeth – Since implants do not depend on adjacent teeth for support (like bridges), they will not damage nearby teeth.
• Increased Stability – No slipping or discomfort like traditional dentures.

With good care and oral hygiene, dental implants can last for a lifetime. The implant itself (the titanium screw) is very durable, the crown attached to it, generally lasts from 10 to 15 years before replacing a worn-out crown. Frequent dental visits and care improve life span.

This complete dental implants process through the consultation period up into crown placement can take around 3 to 6 months. The actual procedure takes 1-2 hours per implant but can take different healing time depending on patient bone quality and health condition.

The dental implant placement costs differs in India according to factors such as:

• Type of Implant (Endosteal, Zygomatic, All on 4, etc.)
• Clinic Location (Metropolitan vs Tier 2 & 3 cities)
• Dentist skill and hospital facilities.
• Extensions of the Procedure (Bone grafting, sinuses lifts).

The cost of a single dental implant is about ₹25,000 - ₹60,000 and full mouth (All-on-4) restorations may range from ₹2,00,000 - ₹5,00,000.

While uncommon, some potential risks include:

• Infection at the site of the implant.
• Failure of the osseointegration leading to implant failure.
• Nerve damage that may lead to tingling or numbness.
• Sinus complications (for implants in the upper jaw).
• Peri-Implantitis (infection of gums surrounding the implant)

• Expensive Comparing to Bridges & Dentures – The upfront cost is higher.
• Requires Surgeries – Invasive procedures. 
• Healing Time - Some cases may require bone grafting – delays treatment.

• Dental Bridges – Appropriate for an individual with nearby healthy teeth.
• Removable Partial or Full Dentures – A non-surgical method but not as stable.
• Resin-Bonded Bridges – Perfect for replacing a single missing tooth without impacting surrounding teeth.

• Follow prescribed antibiotics and analgesics.
• Steer clear of hard or sticky foods while you heal.
• Brush gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush to maintain proper oral hygiene.
• Rinse with antimicrobial mouthwash to stave off infection.
• Refrain from smoking and drinking to aid the healing process.
• Have frequent dental check-ups to check on the health of dental implants.