Dental implants have been established as a safe and successful method of replacing the missing teeth in an individual. But their placement involves a surgery, and any surgical procedure carries some risk of complications.

The surgical procedure is very expensive too and not every body can afford such costly dental care treatment especially in the first world nations. However affordable dental treatments abroad have encouraged many to travel to places like Mexico, India and Thailand for low cost dental implants. Dental Tourism has grown big and the network is expanding at an alarming rate.

Problems may occur during or after the surgery, and may be because of lack of skill on part of the dentist, or because of the patient’s carelessness in implant care.

Some of the common complications seen in implant cases are:

Implant rejection/failure

The Implant screw, made of titanium, may sometimes fail to be accepted by the jaw. Osseointegration is the most critical part of an implant procedure and if the bone refuses to integrate with the screw, the implant cannot be a success.

The implant may also fail to integrate because of improper placement, excessive pressure before complete healing, or any negligence on the patient’s part in maintaining the required oral hygiene.

Dental Implant infection

Infection or inflammation of the oral tissues may occur after implant placement as the surgery exposes the tissues to foreign substances and bacteria, which if not countered, may result in infection and severe pain.

Fracture/perforation of the bone

Implants are basically small screw-like structures, usually made of titanium, which are inserted into the bone after drilling holes in it. In areas where the bone is too thin, it may fracture while placing the implant. The bone may also fracture due to excessive pressure during placement or incorrect direction of the implant.

Dental implant overload

The biting pressure on the implant must be kept near negligible until the implant is fully set inside the bone, and the bone is completely healed. The titanium screw acts like the root of a tooth, and it is not always appropriate to load it with 2-3 crowns, especially in posterior regions of the mouth, where the biting pressure is high.

Bending/braking of implants

Improper placement and too much force may lead to bending or even breakage of implants, which would necessitate their removal.

Medical risks

Implant problems are noted to be higher in heavy smokers and in people with weak immune systems. Also, in case of any systemic disease or blood disorder, the implant procedure may present with severe complications.

Management

Complications in implant cases are usually avoidable, but if they somehow occur, the problems are mostly manageable.  In cases of any unexplained discomfort or excessive pain after receiving the implant, the patient must contact his dentist at the earliest.

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

For someone who has lost all or most of his teeth, a denture is the only way to restore function and esthetics of his mouth.

A complete denture is a set of artificial teeth, which is made to fit the upper and lower jaw bones of a patient. They are usually made in acrylic.

Any dental procedure be it dentures or Zimmer teeth implants in Thailand, India, Mexico or Costa Rica is cheaper than the ones in the US or any other first world nation. According to 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. 

Ideally, a denture should be close-fitting, and comfortable to wear for the patient. But there is not much support and many-a-times the denture, simply resting on the gums, tends to be unstable and thus, problematic.

Loose dentures interfere with speech of patients, and do not allow for proper chewing of food, leading to constant discomfort and poor confidence of patient.

Fortunately, the advancements in dentistry have found a better solution for patients who have lost all or most of their teeth: Implant secured prosthetic solutions.

Like regular dentures, implant secured prosthesis are also made to replace the missing teeth of a person, but these are far more stable and way ahead in restoring proper function.

Implant secured prosthetic solutions are basically dentures that are held in place with the help of implants placed in the underlying bone.  Though expensive as compared to conventional dentures, they have many significant benefits over them, justifying their high cost.

The major differences between regular dentures and implant secured prosthetic solutions are listed below:

Patient confidence

Implant-secured dentures are stable, and do not tend to move with every movement of the tongue, so patient confidence is obviously better with them as compared to the conventional dentures, which tend to be movable.

Improved Chewing/Eating

Even a well-fitted denture cannot help you eat like your natural teeth. Since implant-secured prosthesis are more stable, they are more efficient in chewing. An ill-fitted, uncomfortable denture may restrict the patient to soft foods, while such problems are usually not encountered with implant supported dentures.

Taste

The acrylic on implant supported dentures is thinner, and they are designed to cover lesser area of the tissues, leading to better perception of taste.

Patient comfort

The secure placement makes implant supported dentures comfortable for the patient. Besides, the thinner acrylic and less coverage of gum tissue adds to the patient comfort, giving the patient a more natural feel of his oral structures.

No denture adhesive is required to keep them is place.

Bone loss

Our natural teeth play a major role in maintaining the integrity of the jaw bone, which tends to shrink downwards after their loss. With conventional dentures, the bone loss is further increased. But no such problem is encountered in implant secured prosthetic solutions as implants are placed within the bone, acting like the roots of our natural teeth, and helping keep the bone height stable.

Appearance

Since the denture base can be kept thinner in implant supported prosthesis, these have a better appearance than conventional dentures. Also, as the implants maintain the integrity of the alveolar bone, there is lesser shrinkage and facial collapse, which is normally seen in long-term denture-wearers.

Speech

Uncomfortable, ill-fitting dentures may produce clicking sounds if they move too much. Also, the speech of the patient becomes slurred with loose dentures. None of these problems are seen in implant secured dentures, which stay in their place and do not interfere with the normal functioning.

Cost

Implant-secured dentures are obviously more expensive due to the added cost of the implants. They can be used in both upper and lower jaws, but upper dentures are usually stable and many people opt for implants only in the lower jaw (where the denture tends to move more), to bring down the cost of the treatment.

Implant-supported dentures also help save money in the long run: Due to lesser bone loss, the same denture can be used for a long time, unlike conventional dentures, which keep getting looser with the shrinkage of the bone, and may require relining, rebasing or reconstruction of the entire set.

Considering the patient’s comfort and many other benefits it has over conventional dentures, the implant-secured prosthetic solutions are a fine option.

Patients especially from the US could consider the option of affordable dental work abroad and get their smiles back without spending too much on the procedures.

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

Dental implants and dentures both serve the same purpose: they replace missing teeth of an individual. However, when it comes to costs and comfort, there are significant differences between the two.

Dental implants are expensive in countries like the US and the UK. Many patients in the US cannot afford this procedure due to the high costs and they delay the entire process. These patients opt for dental work outside their hometown. For instance, cosmetic dentistry in Bangkok or Mexico is any day cheaper and a more practical alternative. Dental Tourism in Mexico, India and Thailand supports patients especially from the first world nations to achieve their dental care goals at a price usually unheard of in their own country.

While planning the treatment for any patient, and choosing either implants or fixed/removable dentures, various factors have to be kept in mind. However, if costs are not a concern for the patient, implants are likely to be the treatment of choice, unless he is deemed unfit for them due to any other medical reason.

Convenience of Implants over Dentures

People who wear dentures are usually not happy with them. The dentures, especially the lower, tend to rock while eating and talking, leading to poor patient confidence. Besides, the removable dentures can be quite a nuisance as they have to be taken off frequently and placed back again. Also, they rub against the gum tissue, often leading to painful mouth sores.

However, if only a few teeth are missing, the patient can opt for fixed partial denture, which is not required to be removed and placed again. But again, there is one disadvantage: considerable reduction of adjacent teeth is done for the placement of a fixed denture.

None of the above problems are encountered with dental implants. An implant is fixed into the alveolar bone, like the root of a tooth, and a crown is placed over it. They cause little or absolutely no discomfort to the patient, and also maintain the integrity of the alveolar bone, which tends to shrink after the loss of natural teeth.

Implants are the most natural-like restoration of your missing teeth.  If placed correctly, you might even forget you did not have a real tooth in that place.

Biocompatibility of Materials Used

In dentures, acrylic or cast metals are used for the base plate, and teeth are made of acrylic or porcelain. Some patients may complain of allergy with the acrylic used.

Implants, on the other hand, are made of titanium, which is bio-compatible.

Procedure

The fabrication of a complete denture requires several visits to the dental office, and is usually completed within three to six weeks. Removable/Fixed partial dentures also usually require 2-3 appointments.

The procedure of placing in implant is invasive, as it involves a small surgery, which can be done on the dental chair, under local anesthesia. After the insertion of implant screw in the bone, it may take a few months for osseointergation, after which, the crown can be placed over it.

Costs

Implants can be way more expensive than the dentures, but since they are a near-permanent solution for tooth loss, it is believed that they might actually prove to be cost-saving in the long run because as the alveolar bone shrinks, the dentures tend to become loose, and may require replacement, relining or rebasing (done to improve the fit of an old denture).

Indications/Contra-Indications

Implants can be a costly option, but considering the significant benefits they have over conventional dentures, they are the treatment of choice for most patients. However, they are not advised for heavy smokers, and people who are unable to maintain good oral hygiene as osseointegration might be a problem in such cases, and may lead to implant failure.

Besides, diabetic or hypertensive patients, or those who are suffering from any other medical condition that makes them unfit for surgery, are also not advised to go for implants, as it may lead to some complications.

Also, if the alveolar bones have highly shrunk in any case, the patient may not be a candidate for dental implants as a minimum amount of bone is required to cover the implant on all sides. But if a patient with reduced alveolar bone still wants to go for dental implants, the bone can be raised with help of bone grafts to make it suitable for receiving an implant.

Each individual is a different case, and a treatment plan keeping the best interests of the patient can be decided only after a dentist thoroughly reviews the case.

* Osseointergation — the apparent direct attachment or connection of the bone with the implant

*Alveolar bone — thickened ridge of bone containing the tooth sockets

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

Full mouth restoration is an exhaustive process involving restoration all or most of the teeth in both upper and lower jaws. It is also referred to as full mouth reconstruction or full mouth rehabilitation.

It may involve various aspects of dentistry like implants, veneers, crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays and may also require some treatment for gums, or even orthodontic treatment (involving movement and alignment of teeth).

A full mouth restoration is basically a combination of dental treatments aimed at improving several aspects of your smile, in addition to restoring proper function. The treatment could get very costly in the first world nations but if one goes for dental work in Mexico, India or Thailand, the cost attached to the procedure is much lesser and he could save up to 30 to 50% on the entire process.

Who is a good candidate?

• Patients with bite problems, i.e. people in whom the upper and lower jaws do not close together comfortably.

• People with several injured or fractured teeth.

• Many teeth lost due to decay or trauma.

• Poor condition of teeth and gums due to inadequate oral hygiene.

• Long-term acid erosion of teeth due to the patient’s poor diet, or acid reflux disease.

• Painful jaw movements, headaches originating from tooth problems.

• Misaligned teeth.

Who is not a good candidate?

• Patients in which dental problems have resulted from some medical conditions.

• Those who are unable to maintain oral hygiene.

• Uncooperative, apprehensive patients, who are reluctant even to minor dental treatments.

• Patients with severe medical problems, which make them unfit for any surgical or invasive process.

Typical Steps for Full Mouth Restoration

Comprehensive examination of teeth is the first and the most important step in full mouth restoration. The dentist must take sufficient time to diagnose the patient, including the use of x-rays/CAT scan, bite analysis, joint vibration analysis (JVA) and digital imagery, and then discuss the treatment plan at length with him. This also involves discussing the lifestyle, state of health and expectations of the patient, and briefing him about the treatment options considered best in his case.

Cost of the treatment may vary from patient to patient. It depends largely on the processes required for complete restoration of oral structures in an individual. One could get free quote online and plan the trip accordingly.

Broadly, the following steps are involved:

Teeth

By examining the condition of the teeth, the dentist will determine what procedures may be necessary to restore their proper form and function. The carious will be filled; those with extensive decay may require root canal treatment; other worn-out, eroded, cracked teeth may need to be restored with porcelain veneers or full-coverage crowns, bridges, inlays or onlays.

If some teeth are too damaged to be restored, they may have to be extracted and replaced with bridges, or implants (depending upon the case, and the patient preference). Bleaching/whitening treatment may also be required if the teeth are discolored.

Periodontal (gum) tissues

Bleeding gums is a common problem among patients, and complete oral prophylaxis is generally required. Scaling and root planning may be required to remove calculus, and other deposits from the teeth, and a periodontist’s intervention may be needed to ensure that the newly reconstructed teeth have a solid foundation.

Periodontal treatments could involve soft tissue or bone grafts to restore the gums and alveolar bone. This phase will also involve the elimination of any deep pockets, or any infectious diseases of the gums, which cause loosening of the teeth and are also responsible for bad breath.

Restoration of Bite/Examination of Joints

Pain during chewing, yawning or laughing may indicate problems of the musculature and temporo-mandibular joint (the joint between the lower jaw and the skull). If severe problem in these areas exists, you may need to see an oral surgeon.

Orthodontic treatment (concerned with movement of teeth) could help bring the teeth into a proper occlusal relationship, and may have to be involved in full mouth restoration.

The evolving trend of dental tourism encourages patients to travel for cheaper procedures and get treated in the best possible manner. Full mouth restoration is an expensive desire to fulfill for many but due to the emergence of modern dental clinics offering costly procedures like Straumann teeth implants and Zimmer teeth implants in Thailand, Mexico or India at a price unheard of in developed nations like the US or the UK, patients are encouraged to cover huge distances to get that happy curve on their faces.

Esthetics

Once the oral structures are brought to a satisfactorily healthy state, the dentist will work on improving the esthetics. Esthetic may have already been improved by orthodontic treatment, bleaching etc, but depending upon the patient’s needs, other procedures, like, crown lengthening (for very short teeth), contouring of gum line, depigmentation (of the gums) may be carried out to make a beautiful smile, and bring new confidence to the patient.

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