Dentures are one of the most widely used ways of replacing missing teeth. Once a tooth is extracted, or lost due to any reason, it needs to be quickly replaced for the purpose of chewing, speech and aesthetics.

Dentures are a convenient option for most patients to replace their missing teeth. Broadly, they can be categorized as: Fixed and Removable.

The procedure could be very expensive in nations like the US or the UK and an average citizen might not be able to pay huge amounts for the treatment. The solution to this problem could be a dental vacation. Dental Tourism in Mexico, India, Costa Rica or Thailand attracts thousands of patients every year. This is because of the cheaper and high quality dental care treatments like dentures and dental implants.

Patient comfort

Non-removable or fixed prosthesis feel more like real teeth, and cause little inconvenience to the patient. Crown and bridgework are specially recommended in cases where only one or a few teeth are missing.

Fixed dentures are cemented over the teeth adjacent to the edentulous region, and are stable in one place.

Removable partial dentures, on the other hand, are relatively less stable and might give the patient some trouble in initial days. They are removed and placed in the mouth by the patient himself.

These can easily restore larger edentulous regions with teeth, as compared to fixed partial dentures. For replacement of all teeth, removable complete dentures are commonly used. However, removable dentures tend to rock in the mouth, and may interfere with speech and chewing. Patient comfort and confidence is compromised to a certain extent, as compared to the results of a fixed denture.

Esthetics

Fixed dental bridges are the porcelain replacement of the teeth, which, if made by expert hands, can closely mimic natural teeth.

Removable dentures consist of an acrylic plate (usually pink in color) which sits on the gingival tissue (gums) and white acrylic teeth embedded into the plate. Esthetics are mostly inferior to those of porcelain teeth.

Denture care and oral hygiene

Fixed dentures are harder to clean than removable dentures. Since they cannot be removed, they may cause inflammation and other oral problems, if the patient is unable to maintain the required oral hygiene.

Removable dentures are easier to maintain as they can be taken off by the patient, cleaned, and put back in place. But, removable prosthesis are delicate devices and some patients may warp or break the denture, if they are not careful enough while keeping them outside the mouth.

Cost and construction

Fixed dentures can be way more expensive than removable partial dentures, mostly because of the difference in material costs. Fixed bridges require reduction of at least two sound teeth, which are adjacent to the edentulous region, and may require 2-3 visits to the dental office.

Removable dentures are easier to fabricate and may be delivered sooner. They take some support from the soft tissue and some from natural teeth, without having to compromise much on any tooth of the natural dentition.

Which is the better option for you?

The choice of your treatment entirely depends upon the condition of your mouth, oral hygiene habits, the health of remaining teeth (bridges cannot be fixed over teeth that are not firmly rooted), and the cost concerns. One could request for free online quote to plan better.

DentaVacation facilitates affordable dental treatments at various destinations across the world. For more information, submit the estimate-request form on the right.

Dental implants are fast becoming the most preferred method of replacing missing teeth, and are simultaneously crushing out the other available treatment options for the same. With the rising popularity of dental implants, the shortcomings of other treatments are becoming more apparent.

Of course, dental implants are more costly as compared to other tooth replacement options, but given the comfort and confidence they provide to the patient, the costs seem justified. Anyway with the advent of Dental tourism, situations have got better and a patient nowadays could opt to travel to get teeth implants in Mexico, India or Thailand without much of apprehensions. The cost of the treatment in these nations is much lesser and quality of the services is world class.

Missing teeth are also widely replaced by dental bridges, which are fixed on the remaining teeth in the mouth.

Dental bridge: a long porcelain unit, which is fixed on to atleast two natural teeth, to replace the missing teeth

However, dental implants are quickly taking over from dental bridges as the more popular option for replacing natural teeth.

When comparing the two, the following points are taken into consideration:

Comfort/convenience

Implants, being more sturdy than dental bridges, provide greater convenience and comfort for the patient. Also, they are known to have a greater life than the bridges, which usually last only 10-15 years.

Also, the life of a bridge depends upon the health of remaining teeth in the mouth, as it is fixed over them. However, an implant is an independent unit, and can easily stay even after natural teeth are lost.

Resorption of jaw bone

The integrity of the jaw bone depends on the teeth. As long as healthy teeth are present in your mouth, the height of the jaw bone is maintained. Once you start losing teeth the jaw bone begins to shrink, bringing significant changes to the facial profile.

Since an implant acts like the root of a natural tooth, it helps preserve the bone.

Maintaining other oral structures

An implant is placed inside the jaw bone to act as an independent tooth, unlike dental bridges which are fixed on teeth adjacent to the edentulous region. To make place for the bridge, atleast two teeth have to be reduced.

On the other hand, an implant provides a more conservative option as it is directly drilled into the bone without requiring any compromise on other teeth.

Esthetics

Since an implant is placed inside the jaw bone, the crown placed over it can easily be made to form a neat relation with the gum line. Implants are more esthetic as they provide a very natural look to the artificial teeth.

Oral hygiene maintenance

Implants allow for flossing as there is better access between teeth, and homecare is facilitated by flossing between teeth. Dental bridges are usually harder to keep clean, and food lodgment is a common problem with them.

Cost

The initial cost of implants is higher and many patients may opt for the cheaper bridges. But in the long run, the benefits of implants in maintaining oral health easily outweigh its one-time high price. Affordable dental treatments abroad have also served patients with a reason to not delay the procedure because of the high costs attached to it.

DentaVacation facilitates affordable dental treatments at various destinations across the world. For more information, submit the estimate-request form on the right.

Before & After Dental Treatment Picture – Full Mouth Dental Restoration in Costa Rica

Dental implants are artificial teeth that come the closest to replicating natural dentition in form and function. They are neat and immaculate and provide great convenience for the patient. More and more implant surgeries are being performed across the world, and they have a significantly high success rate. But the placement of an implant requires the dentist to be meticulous and the patient to be compliant; otherwise the whole process may fail.

Teeth implants in Thailand, India or Mexico could be a viable option for those who are seeking for good quality and a cheaper procedure. According to a survey published by the US CDC in 2000, more than 44% of Americans did not have dental insurance during that time – which certainly increases the need for dental tourism. So, many patients from the US travel abroad for various dental care treatments like Straumann teeth implants in India or dental implants in Korea.

The failure of dental implants could be due to several reasons

Poor skill of the dentist

Placement of implants is a sophisticated process, which requires good skill and careful treatment by the dentists. Any negligence on part of the dentist could prove to be expensive for the patient.

Each individual is a different case and the possibility of a successful treatment varies from person to person. A dentist must carefully evaluate every case, and determine if the patient is suited for dental implants.

The patient must be informed about his situation and must be guided about proper implant-care methods.

Implant procedure must not be rushed. If the bone height is not adequate, the patient may require bone grafts for secure placement of the implant.

Besides correct diagnosis, the proper placement of the implant, with least trauma to the tissues is all dependent upon the dentist.

Infection

Infection can spoil any implant case; steps must be taken to ensure the surgical site is kept free of any hazardous organisms. Antibiotics may be required to keep the infection at bay, not only during the surgery, but also for a few days after it, when the implant screw is forming a bond with the bone (osseointegration).

Avoiding infection depends both on the dentist and the patient. Keeping strict sterilization control is important for the dentist, while on the patient’s part, it is important to care for the dental health. Implants cannot be successful if the patient makes no effort to maintain good oral hygiene.

Loose Implants

Improper technique, inadequate bone, too much pressure or disturbance of the surgical site may all interfere with osseointegration, which is the most important step in implant placement. If the implant screw fails to form a strong bond with the bone, it will remain loose, and the whole process will fail.

Broken Implants

Substandard materials, wrong size, improper placement, or excessive pressure may cause the implant to fracture, thus resulting in failure of the process.

Un-cooperative patient

A dentist alone cannot make an implant a success without the co-operation of his patient. A patient, who does not maintain proper oral hygiene or frequently disturbs the surgical site, is likely to suffer implant failure.

Wrong habits, like smoking or grinding of teeth, can also prove to be harmful in implant cases. A patient, who has received an implant, should avoid indulging in any adverse oral habit and make sure he properly follows the dentist’s instructions.

Damaged nerves/vessels

A dentist has to be very careful to avoid any damage to nerves or vessels running in the site of the surgery. If the screw impinges upon a nerve, it may result in persistent pain or loss of sensation in that area.

Implants are known to have a fairly high success rate, but the failures are also significant. There are few risks and complications attached to dental implants but if utmost care is taken by both the dentist and the patient, the occurrence of implant failures can be avoided to a great extent.

DentaVacation facilitates affordable dental treatments at various destinations across the world. For more information, submit the estimate-request form on the right.

Conventional dental implants contain a metal screw, which is inserted into the bone to form a root-like base for the artificial teeth. The most commonly used metal for this purpose is titanium, which exhibits several desirable properties including high strength, light weight, corrosion resistance.

Although titanium implants have high rates of success, the search for newer implant materials has been carried out widely.  Scientists have been looking for cheaper, more esthetic alternatives to this expensive metal. And, with some success, they have found an alternative in Zirconia.

Zirconia implants have been around for a few years, especially in the European market. However, they are still a new entrant in the field, and are yet to be completely passed as acceptable replacements for titanium implants.

The Zirconia dental implants are made of special ceramic (Zirconium oxide, ZrO2), which is known for its high resistance to fracture and heat. Not only are some of the properties comparable to titanium, these implants also have several advantages over it.
Zirconia has paved a new way metal-free implant dentistry, which is a boon for people who are allergic to metals, or cannot sport them for some other reason.

Getting dental implants is not a child’s play. It’s an investment in itself. In the first world nations many patients delay this procedure fearing the heavy bills that would reach them by the end of the procedure.

Fortunately with development of Dental Tourism, people now have options to choose from to get over their dental problems. Affordable dental treatments abroad have made things work for the patients who are seeking reasonably tagged dental implants procedure.

Zirconia implants surpass titanium in the following aspects:

Esthetics: While titanium has a dark, metallic color, Zirconium is whitish in appearance. Though most part of the implant is embedded within the bone, titanium sometimes shows a dark line around the gums. There is no such issue with Zirconia.

Hygiene: Ceramic implants and crowns are known to retain less plaque and calculus than titanium. So, they help the patient maintain better standards of oral hygiene and promote healthy gums.

Biocompatibility: Zirconium has decent biocompatibility; it is an inert material with very low allergic potential.

Corrosion Resistance: Zirconia tooth implants have almost a negligible risk of corrosion.

Patient comfort: Some patients are sometimes apprehensive about the idea of having a metal piece fixed into their bone. Ceramic implants solve this problem and provide patients with a comfortable option.

Osseointegration: Various studies have suggested that Zirconium implants with modified surfaces can integrate with the bone just like titanium.

Risks associated with Zirconia implants

Zirconia implants are relatively new to the market, and are still being highly probed for the associated risks and problems.

One of the major risks with these implants is radioactivity. Zirconium may contain a certain number of radioactive isotopes, the activity of which may lead to an increased chance of various oral cancers.

Usually the Zirconia used in implants has extremely low radiation emission levels, and manufacturers of these are required to produce a declaration of radioactivity for their Zirconium based dental products.

Patients looking to get Zirconia implants must ensure they discuss all possible options with their dentist before undergoing any surgical procedure. One could also find free quote online which could help him plan his budget accordingly. Getting dental implants in India, Mexico, Thailand or Costa Rica could be favorable and one could also save a lot on the procedure.

DentaVacation facilitates affordable dental treatments at various destinations across the world. For more information, submit the estimate-request form on the right.

X-Ray Room in Thai Dental Implant centre