What Impacts Dental Implant Success?

Whether it be for medical or cosmetic reasons, numerous people are looking for dental implants as a discreet solution for replacing tooth roots. Implants provide a solid foundation for replacement teeth and regardless of the exact reason for their use, there is one thing they all have in common and that is that they need to be sturdy and well-placed.

Research from dental clinicians has been conducted into what makes a good implant and with many factors impacting the effectiveness of implant strength, it is vital to know what design and procedure specificities are required to ensure they are performing as well as they should be.

Alfonso Roa has worked in the dental implant industry for 13 years, also running a training academy to teach other dentists. An expert who runs 7 practices in the UK, Alfonso also receives many referrals which include the need for full mouth rehabilitation.

Alfonso’s insights offer us a view into an often overlooked and misunderstood part of the dentistry profession.

The UK dental implant market is forecast to grow 8.5% by 2027, led by increases in dental disease and government initiatives to promote oral health.

What Makes A Good Dental Implant?

The result of any good dental implant should be stability and usability and in technical terms, this can be known as osseointegration. Osseointegration is the structural connection between bone and an artificial implant where the implant is surgically anchored into the bone which then grows into the implant. Dependent on the location of the implant and the health of the jawbone, this usually develops over a period of six weeks to six months.

Many factors can influence the strength and speed of osseointegration, such as the ones to be discussed below.

Alfonso highlighted that “patients want their treatment quicker, more affordable and pain-free” and this is reflected in the choices that clinicians make when considering patient experience.

Implant Design

The design of dental implants varies amongst manufacturers, but intensive research has shown that implant diameter and length are both key factors because of their direct relation to placement in the jaw. Exact measurements in the industry are not agreed on but the discussion has shown that implants should be at least 10mm to 14mm to ensure a high success rate, and some clinicians suggest a diameter of more than 4mm. For more information on implant diameter and length, this study explores their impact on bone quality.

As well as diameter and length, the material can also play a major role. The most commonly used material in dentistry is titanium because it is biocompatible and proven to improve and increase the strength of dental implants. However, in the last decade, there has been a rise in the search for nano treatment as the surface of the implant because this can be blasted or edged to increase the level of bone to implant contact, to promote osseointegration, and facilitate the attachment.

Correct Procedure

The process of installing a dental implant has many different parts from insertion, drilling, and stabilisation. How well these parts are performed impacts how good the implant will be. The main reason for implantation failure is that the clinician has not placed the implant correctly. This can be a result of wrong angulation, placed too deeply or not deep enough, or poor prosthetic attachment.

Healthy Gums and Strong Jaw Bones

Having a positive effect on gum quality, healthy lifestyle choices are essential to successful healing after a dental implantation procedure. Complications due to gum disease are a key reason why implants may fail to work as osseointegration is significantly restricted due to instability, poor blood flow, and low cell growth. Not only is it essential for gums to be healthy prior to surgery, but good dental cleaning and maintenance are required to promote the healing process.

Another physical aspect to why implants may fail or have complications is because of a lack of bone in the jaw, though this is not down to lifestyle choices. Without a strong jaw bone, a firm base is not present for the implant to be drilled into. However, the natural bone can be built up before surgery through bone augmentation or grafting into which a new bone will grow.

Alfonso does highlight that:

The treatment has a high success rate... with less healing time."

Industry Leaders

To know what makes a good implant, it is important to know what businesses are leading the way in the industry. When a clinician chooses which provider to work with, they will consider the quality of the implant, cost, business reputation, customer service, and how long it will take to receive the implant. The market is crowded with dental implant manufacturers and most dental practices tend to stay with the same supplier, highlighting the importance of creating high-quality implants.

Here, Alfonso highlighted just a few of the many options to choose from;

Straumann

Premium brand Straumann was founded in 1954 and works in several dental professions, making them a complete source of dentistry and therefore an industry favourite. Being so renowned their implants are on the expensive side but are also highly innovative, durable, and safe. Additionally, as well as being manufacturers, they perform a great deal of research into dentistry manufacturing and biomaterials which contributes to the innovative nature of their products and the wider dental industry.

Geistlich Biomaterials

Based in Manchester as the UK affiliate for Geistlich Pharma Switzerland, biomaterials from Geistlich are the most frequently used materials in regenerative dentistry worldwide from dental implants to craniofacial indications. All implants are made from a meticulous selection of raw materials that go through a tightly controlled manufacturing process and are assessed by national and international regulatory bodies, making them incredibly safe and durable.

Ensuring Dental Implant Success

There is no single factor to ensuring dental implant success but a variety that starts all the way at materials, through to design, and to the procedure. What makes a good implant, is the right design, high-quality implant, patient compliance, and skilful surgery to promote osseointegration. Every role plays its part and for clinicians to take ethical responsibility with their clients, they need to know the implants they are using are the most likely to result in success.

Are you interested in discussing the future of dental implant technology? I’d love to hear what you think! Drop me a message to discuss any of the themes in this article, or trends in the wider Dental market, at nosheen.mahmood@medical-cm.com.

To find more insight from our consultants and industry leaders in the market, click here.