Dental Implant Team
The dental implant restoration treatment available today is a wonderful example of the advancements made in dental technology. A successful dental implant procedure requires advanced planning and coordination with a qualified team.
At your initial consultation, all your options will be reviewed. Together, you, your dentist, and your oral surgeon will develop a personalized plan for your specific dental implant needs. Some patients need only basic x-rays prior to implant placement, while others require 3D x-rays and CT/computer-generated surgical guides prior to implant placement.
The basic dental implant team might look something like this:
* a general or family dentist competent in basic dental implant diagnosis and therapy, basic periodontal diagnosis and therapy, basic dental implant surgery and prostheses.
* a dental nurse competent in surgical assistance and perioperative care.
* a dental hygienist competent in dental implant maintenance.
* a dental technician competent in dental implant design, creation, and fabrication.
Let us review the dental implant procedure and then see how the dental team roles contribute.
The Dental Implant Procedure
If you have a missing tooth your restorative treatment in the past has been a traditional dental bridge. The bridge used the two adjoining teeth to support the artificial crown suspended between the teeth. The innovative dental implant has allowed the dental industry to become creative with many new options. Here are recent statistics supporting the growth of the new gold standard, the dental implant.
* Implant manufacturers are presenting product innovations that are simplifying the restorative aspect, as well as patient comfort, convenience, and durability of implant therapy.
* The average number of surgically placed dental implants has increased by 49 percent from 1995 to 1999.
* As technology has developed and improved, the success rate of dental implants is now over 90 percent.
* About 30 percent of adults over 65 years of age no longer have any natural teeth.
* By the age of 50, Americans have lost an average of 12 teeth and, among adults 65 to 74 years old, 26 percent are toothless.
The first step of the implant procedure is to qualify the patient. A thorough examination of teeth and gums as well as a review of medical and dental histories is the first stage. If the patient is still a viable candidate images must be captured identifying the density and integrity of the jawbone where the implant will be placed. This is critical. The stability of the implant is only as good as the integrity of the bone to support it. If the jawbone has atrophied the team can begin the active process by doing a bone grafting procedure.
Once the grafting material has fused with the bone the implant procedure will begin. The team will administer a local anesthetic. When the immediate area is numb a small incision will allow the trained professional access to the jawbone in which a small hole will be drilled. At this time, the titanium post will be inserted and then the incision sutured closed. The implant will now need several months to fuse, bond, and integrate with the jawbone. When stabilized, an extension or abutment is added to the post to reach the surface. The last step is the addition of the artificial crown to the extension.
Success Can Depend on the Dental Implant Team Approach
When you consider all the dental professionals potentially involved in the dental implant process, the entire team might include a trained oral surgeon or restorative dentist, a dental hygienist, a dental assistant, a lab technician, the dental business staff, and, even if needed, an endodontist and an orthodontist. All team members should be included in the personal plan circle of communication during the entire implant treatment.
Surgeon- When a general dentist performs the surgery, he or she is usually also the restorative dentist.
Restorative dentist- The role of the restorative dentist is critical as the initial implant team leader. This member ensures the ultimate success of the case. The dentist also understands the surgical considerations for implant placement, directs the appropriate implant team members, coordinates surgical placement and restorative treatment planning, and orchestrates the comprehensive prosthetic treatment plan.
Dental hygienist- The dental hygienist can contribute greatly if this member has general implant knowledge. The dental hygienist participates in patient selection, maintenance assessment, and oral hygiene instruction. Once the case is completed, the dental hygienist can take over as team coordinator. Continued communication with the surgeon helps complete the circle of care.
Dental Technician- (dental laboratory technician) is a member of the dental team who, upon prescription from a dental clinician, constructs custom-made restorative and dental appliances. In this situation the fabrication of the artificial crown matching the neighboring natural teeth.