Dental Implants and You

While the initial procedure takes
one to two hours, the healing
process following installation
lasts about three to six months

Dental implants make it possible to replace any cavity affected tooth. Thanks to this dental innovation, cavities need not be something set in stone. With dental implants, you have all the functionality of a natural tooth with none of the cavity. Dental implants offer reassurance and a glimmer of hope for those who suffer with un-repairable cavities.

To start, we begin by exploring the humble beginnings of the dental implant. It all started in 1952, when a surgeon by the name of Per-Ingvar Branemark was running research efforts to study blood flow in bone. In one of his experiments, Branemark placed a titanium chamber inside of a sample of bone. Much to his surprise, when Branemark later went to remove the titanium chamber, he found that it had fused with the bone. Today, this fusion process is known as osseointegration.

Titanium is a corrosive-resistant metal that can also be found in body piercings, sunscreen, and jewelry. It makes an ideal implant post as it is strong, non-toxic and as mentioned, capable of fusing with bone. One reason for its widely accepted application in bone is that it forms a protective oxide film in exposure to oxygen. The artificial crowns placed atop of these titanium rods can be made of anything from pure gold to porcelain.

In the initial visits regarding dental implants, a dental professional will inventory a part of the head known as the stomato-gnathic area. The word stomato refers to mouth, while the word gnathic refers to jaws. This assessment is done via x-rays and visual inspection by your dentist. The area is surveyed to determine bone strength and overall capacity for retaining implants. In addition to this, the dental professional will verify that no other infections are present which may compromise surgery.

Dental insurances typically cover less than ten percent of dental implant services. Health Insurance is a better bet for obtaining coverage for these costly procedures. To provide a ballpark estimate for costs involved, titanium rods are commonly listed at $400 to $950 while the abutment ( or middle part connecting rod and crown ) are about $250 to $500 dollars. Lastly, the crown is the most costly of all ranging anywhere from $1000 to $3000 dollars.

The services performed by your dentist are also a major factor in regards to the prices. You are paying not only for the implants themselves, but also for the trained dental professional who becomes familiar with your unique situation. Another factor playing into the price tag is dental implants require a wide range of resources outside of the dental clinic.
   
Dental implants require multiple dental professionals throughout the processes of manufacture, installation and maintenance. The first person, a dental laboratory technician, is responsible for the physical production of the crown. Next, a restorative dentist is responsible for the planning and setting in place of the crowns created in the laboratory. Lastly a periodontist, or oral surgeon, is responsible for the surgical installation of the titanium posts.

Dental implants require attentive care as the titanium posts can be affected by an infection unique to them, known as peri-implantitus. This condition can rapidly degenerate bone around the implant leading to the loss of bone and rod foundation. This makes meticulous dental hygiene all the more important. If the titanium rod is visible it should be addressed as soon as possible. Being able to see the titanium rod means the gum has receded and an infection could be underway. Scrupulous oral hygiene combined with routine dental appointments are vital for avoiding situations like this.

By and large, dental implants are a safe and effective choice when it comes to tooth replacement. Unlike similar dental procedures, implants need not depend on nearby teeth for foundation. In combination with this, crowns can be switched out when necessary, thus eliminating many of the hassles that come with maintaining natural teeth. With proper maintenance, dental implants have the capacity to last a lifetime.

"What Are Dental implants" by Meredith Marshall is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Getting a Career in Dentistry

Dentistry is an interesting field; it is both a science and an art. It deals with the esthetics, physiology and pathology of the oral cavity. In other words, it is the professional care and knowledge of the teeth, gums, tongue, and cheek. To become a Dentist, one should ideally have an eye for esthetics through symmetry, tooth shade, and harmony of the teeth and smile. One should ideally have knowledge on what is both normal and healthy as opposed to abnormalities and diseases. In short, the dental profession involves the proper diagnosis, treatment and prevention of oral disease [1].

In order to become a dentist, one must undergo intensive training and studying. On average, in the U.S, it takes eight years to complete the courses required to become a dentist. After completing a dental bachelors degree, one can opt to take continual studies in either dental specializations or post-doctoral trainings [2].

Getting Started on the road to becoming a Dentist

Bachelor’s Degree

Before becoming eligible to become a Dentist, a student must first earn a bachelors degree in college. This usually takes two to four years, depending on what course the student takes. It is advised to take a health related course such as  biology or a pre-dental program. Choosing a course of study is important because some dental schools require specific courses before admission [2].

Dental Degree

In order to get into dental school, a student must first pass the dental admissions test. This test can be taken before or after completing the bachelors degree. It can take up to four years to earn a dental degree. During the first two years the student is taught the basics of anatomy, histology, physiology and pathology; their dexterity is then honed in a controlled setting. The last two years are hands on clinical practice under close supervision of a licensed dentist [2].

Licensure Examination

Before a dental graduate can practice their profession, they will have to pass a dental licensure examination administered by their state. The exam is composed of two parts: written and practical. The applicant must pass both parts before obtaining their license [2].

Post-Doctoral Specializations

After completing a dental degree, the student is now a general dentist. They are capable of performing a variety of dental treatments such as crowns, bridges, dentures, restorations, and teeth cleaning [1]. They could even take a specialization for any one of these particular fields. If a dentist decides to follow through with specialization, they will have to gain an in-depth and thorough knowledge on that particular field. A certificate of completion and recognition is thus given to dentists who have successfully completed their post-doctoral trainings. 

Most common post-doctoral specializations

Orthodontists

An orthodontist specializes in diagnosis and treatment of misaligned and crowded teeth. A dentist must study tooth movement and facial development for an additional three to five years before they can call themselves orthodontists [1].

Periodontists

A periodontist specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of gum disease. This field of dentistry specializes in understanding the supporting structure around the tooth, gums and bone. In order to become a periodontist, one will have to study an additional three years following their dental degree [1].

Dental Surgeon

A dental surgeon performs complicated tooth extractions, placements of dental implants, and surgical operations of the oral maxillofacial area. This often includes surgical removal of benign and malignant tumors along the head and neck and surgical treatment of temporo-mandibular joint problems. In order to be a dental surgeon an additional four to seven years of study at a hospital is needed. During these years the perspective dental surgeon will receive hands on training in anesthesiology, emergency medicine and plastic surgery [1].

Endodontist

An endodontist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disease involving the pulp – the tooth’s nerve and blood vessels. It is their duty to clean, shape and fill canals of their dental patients. To become an endodontist, a qualified dentist must study and train another two to three years specializing as an endodontist [1].

Prosthodontist

A prosthodontist restores extracted and missing teeth through alteration of dentures or artificial teeth. The dentures can be fixed, removable, complete or partial. Prosthodontists deal largely with esthetics and harmony of dentures with other oral structures. They are also required to study stability and retention of dentures to prevent dislodgment during function. To become a prosthodontist, a qualified dentist will have to study an additional two to three years in this specialization [1].

Pedodontist

A pedodontist is also known as a pediatric dentist. They perform preventive and comprehensive dental treatment on children, from infancy to teenage years. Teeth of the young patient are a lot different compared to adult teeth. The attitude of the child patient is also different. For these reasons a specialized dentist is needed when treating children [1].

References
[1] Unknown Author. (2005, April 4). Fields of Dentistry. Retrieved from  http://www.hsc.stonybrook.edu/dental/thereach/fields.htm
[2] Unknown Author. How Long Does it Take to be a Dentist? Retrieved from http://education-portal.com/how_long_does_it_take_to_be_a_dentist.html