Dental Implants:

Dental implants are artificial teeth replacements that closely resemble natural teeth. They look and feel very natural. They hold crowns just like roots hold natural teeth crowns in place. Implants also can hold bridge work and denture when several teeth are missing. Implants provide much greater stability for more effective eating, speaking and smiling. Unlike a removable denture or bridge, dental implants are firmly fixed to the jaw. Dental implants are made from bio-compatible titanium alloy.

If you lost some teeth, or have ill fitting dentures or want to avoid cutting good teeth to make a bridge, talk to us to find out if implants are suitable for you.

Dr. Thomas C. Kappen's classification of Dental Implants:

Classification A (based on the location of the apical portion & the primary retentive area of the implant):

1. Cortical / Basal Implants, and 2. Crestal Implants.
It should be noted that some cortical / basal implants utilize both the crestal bone and the basal cortical bone for anchorage.

Classification B (based on the time of fixation of the abutment & crown on to the implant):

1. Immediate Loading type, and 2. Delayed Loading type.

Cortical / Basal Implants are always immediate loading. However, crestal implants may be delayed loading or immediate loading, depending on the bone situation & the type of the implant.

Classification C (based on the surface properties of the implants):

1. Implants with polished surface 2. Surface treated / Rough surface implants, and 3. Combination of rough surface and polished surfaces at different areas of the same implant.

Indications for the different types of Implants:

Every case is unique. Therefore, the type of implant indicated varies from patient to patient, and from site to site within a jaw, depending on the height, width & quality of bone as well as the esthetic requirement. Thus more than one type of implant may be used for the same patient.

Cortical / Basal Implants (always immediate loading):

The teeth are situated in less dense bone portions of the jaw bones called the alveolar bone. This is also known as the crestal bone of the jaw. This less dense alveolar or crestal bone gradually gets resorbed and recedes once the teeth are lost. The bone which ultimately remains after regression of the alveolar bone following loss of teeth is the basal bone that normally lies apical to the alveolar bone. The basal bone is less prone to bone resorption and infections. It is highly dense, corticalized and offers excellent support to implants.

Cortical / Basal Implants utilize the basal cortical portion of the jaw bones for retention. These implants are uniquely designed to be accommodated in the basal bone areas. They are anchored to the basal cortical bone, and the crown, bridge or denture is attached immediately or within 3 days. The basal bone is less prone to bone resorption and infections owing to its highly dense structure.

Advantages of Basal Implants:

• They take retention from good quality dense bone areas (cortical) which are resistant to infection and resorption

• Always Immediate Loading - that is fixed teeth within 72 hours of implant placement.

• They are useful in situations where there is severe bone deficiency since they are designed to take support from the available bone. They also preserve this bone and often     stimulate further bone formation.

• Bone augmentation procedures such as bone grafting, sinus lift, ridge splitting & nerve trans-positioning, in order to create more bone for proper placement of traditional    crestal implants may be avoided in most cases. Some of these implants can be modified / bent to suit the available bone, very much unlike the conventional crestal implants     where the bone needs to be modified to suit the implants. Thus, the total cost and time taken may be reduced.

• High success rate in patients with controlled diabetes, smokers and those with gum disease.

Crestal Implants:

Crestal implants utilize crestal bone (alveolar bone) for retention. They may be delayed loading or immediate loading. They give excellent aesthetics in cases where there is adequate good quality crestal bone. However, they require bone augmentation procedures in cases where the crestal bone level is inadequate.

Delayed loading crestal implants are left in the jaw bone for several months for integration with the jawbone. The crown, bridge or denture is then attached to the implants.