In the case of dental treatments one of the top concerns patients have is the success rate of their treatment plans. Success rates depend on specific factors that need to be met. For dental implants in Windsor, one critical factor is laying a solid foundation for an implant screw to fuse successfully with the jawbone before an artificial tooth can be placed on top of it. A solid foundation will ensure that the screw remains stable in the jawbone. To achieve this all-important stability, critical factors include a thorough evaluation of the condition of a patient’s mouth paying particular attention to jawbone quality (density and bone strength), placement of implant, the surgical staging process and minimising bone reabsorption. It is usual for patients to have to wait, anywhere between two to six months, from the time of placement of screw into the jawbone to the fitting of the artificial tooth. An important process takes place during this time: the metal screw begins to integrate into the jawbone (osseointegration process). After implantation, time is needed for the cells of the jawbone to bond with the surface of the metal screw or rod, successfully locking it into place in the jawbone. Only when this process is effectively completed can a dental practitioner attach an artificial tooth. 

Why bone reabsorption is such a challenge 

One of the risks following tooth loss is the deterioration of surrounding bone. This happens because with the absence of the tooth, the bone structure no longer receives adequate stimulation (provided by the action of chewing) and over time the quality of bone worsens. Because time is of the essence following tooth loss – to protect bone quality - it is critical that patients receive restorative treatment as a matter of urgency. If bone quality is not good enough to secure the stability of the screw, the likelihood is that the tooth-replacement device will fall out. 

Specific care to avoid bone reabsorption 

The level of bone reabsorption or slow bone loss is different for each patient. Patients more at risk of losing bone density are those who have certain medical conditions such as diabetes and osteoporosis and those who have poor immune systems. While it is normal to expect a slight degree of bone reabsorption after treatment, the low level does not pose a threat to the treatment’s success. Great care should be taken to ensure that bone reabsorption does not escalate to dangerous levels. The risk factors of ineffective osseointegration include poor bone density prior to treatment (although there procedures available to improve this condition such as bone grafting), taking certain medication and being a smoker. Implants are a preferred method of restorative dental treatment to replace missing teeth. This is because unlike other treatment methods, this option contributes to bone density, which essentially is improving bone quality. Because these artificial teeth offer the same function as natural teeth (chewing, for example) they are able to stimulate bone cells and lead to the creation of new cells with the result that bone density improves.