Dental Implants Video

In this short video, Dr Murphy explains in layman's terms what we need to know about dental implants, how they are used in modern dentistry and the benefits of implants.

Implants Video Transcript

A dental implant is effectively a hollow screw which has an external thread. That engages with the bone.

We would prepare a small cavity in the bone and we would insert the implant. It attaches to the bone over a period, usually, of a couple of months.

It also has an internal thread. On the internal thread we can put posts inside The posts are often made of gold or titanium We can also use different types of abutments

We are able to put crowns on implants. We can put bridge work on implants and we can also put dentures on implants, attach plastic to implants which means effectively patients will have something that is fixed, they can chew very well with and it’s a very useful way of restoring the dentition to its original form, in other words giving you your smile back and giving you good function again.

Nowadays placing an implant is very much a pain-free procedure. It is done under local anaesthetic in a normal dentist practice setting

Nowadays I’d say it’s a little bit cheaper than it was  comparative to costs of say 15-20 years ago. The prices are a bit more competitive

But the advantages are it’s a fixed restoration. It’s a very good alternative to a partial denture which you’d have to take out and generally you have to disinfect overnight which a lot of people find a wee bit unpleasant - the concept of that. So they have something which blends well with their existing teeth and it’s a very cosmetic restoration

Types of Implants - Further Information

We mostly use titanium implants from BioHorizons, a reputable manufacturer which has been making implant systems since 1997. The advantages of of titanium over other metals are that it is light and doesn't get rejected by your body. This means bone is able to grow round your newly-placed dental implant.
 
There are three main types of implants. The most popular is the endosseus implant, a scew or cylinder placed in the bone as described by Dr Murphy. However it does require ample bone to do its job properly.
 
The subperiosteal implant is placed under the gum and on top of the bone when you do not have sufficient depth to your exisitng bone.
 
Finally the transosteal implant is a metal U-shaped bridge or pin which passes through the bottom of the jaw and into the mouth. This type is much less common now.