How dental technology is changing the implant process

This article was written for our sponsor, Chapman Implant & Comprehensive Dentistry.

Each year, millions of Americans suffer tooth loss or damage, whether from decay, disease or injury. Luckily, dental technology has progressed immensely in just the past 10 to 20 years, making implants a reliable, permanent option for tooth replacement.

Dental implants replace the root of a tooth, but function and look just like a regular tooth would. Dental implant surgery has traditionally been viewed by patients as a difficult process, but with new digital dental technology innovating the procedure, it's becoming less time-consuming and more reliable with minimal pain or discomfort.

Many dental offices around the Triangle are employing these methods to increase the effectiveness of implants. At Raleigh's Chapman Implant & Comprehensive Dentistry, Dr. Laurie Chapman uses technology like cone beam (CT) computed tomography and digital intraoral scanning to improve the efficiency and outcomes of the process.

"I can use the cone beam CT and the digital intraoral scanning together as I do my implant planning. Those two things can provide me with a complete digital model of the patient's current teeth, as well as what they would look like with implants. By merging those two technologies together, I can get the virtual patient right in front of me, with all of the bones and sinuses and everything that's in their mouth, without even touching them," said Chapman. "With that, we can figure out what the ideal size, angulation, and type of implant is for that particular site. You can plan everything exactly, down to .2 millimeters of accuracy."

With the cone beam CT and intraoral scanner, Chapman is able to print a 3D surgical guide that tells her exactly where and how to place an implant. Not only does this make the procedure safer and more predictable, but it also decreases the amount of time it takes overall. In some offices with high-tech implant resources, the entire procedure can be done in ten minutes.

Libby Green, a current patient at Chapman Dentistry, has had implants placed using more traditional technology, as well as digital dentistry.

"Compared to my previous dentist, the implant procedure was the biggest difference. They were able to do a 3D scan of my mouth and show where my sinuses are and how they relate to the location of the implant. In the past, they weren't able to do an implant there because my sinuses were in the way and they would have to do some major lifting to make it work," said Green. "With this technology, they were able to basically pinpoint where the implant needed to go without interfering with my sinuses."

"They make a guide to your mouth, which looks like an Invisalign, so it perfectly matches your teeth. Then they're able to put a hole in that where the implant is based on the scans," she finished. "I think that's why this one was so successful. The other implant was done the old way, where the surgeon or the dentist would just look at the X-rays and guess where to go."

Green's previous implant had several issues with infections and complications, forcing her to schedule additional appointments in order to fix the discomfort. With her new implant, the technology was able to fit her new tooth snuggly into her gums, preventing any problems down the road.

"The new procedure improves the quality, so you have a less chance of infections or complications. With my old implant, I had to go back four times within six months of getting it, and they had to do some kind of ultrasound to clear up some issues I was having," said Green. "With my new implant, it feels just like having the real tooth. It's run so much smoother."

In Chapman's experience, using the new 3-D planned and guided implants Green's issues from her first implant experience are rare. In fact, one of the biggest reasons implants fail is because they were placed inaccurately or improperly, something the new process eliminates.

Through the current dental technology available like cone beam CTs and intraoral scans, the implant procedure has completely transformed.

"Our implant surgeries are very safe, very predictable, and a much quicker process. If you get an implant that's not ideally placed, you're more at risk for failure down the line. I've seen a number of implants that weren't very well-planned or executed, and now seven years later, we have to take the implant out and either redo it or think of a different option for them," said Chapman. "These surgical guides can help us get it done right the first time and reduce the risk of complications. We can stay away from vital structures, like the sinus or important nerves, and stay within the confines of the bone. In employing this technology, you get a perfectly straight implant that's going to last for a long time."

This article was written for our sponsor, Chapman Implant & Comprehensive Dentistry.