To develop artificial replacement for missing teeth has been an elusive goal for more than 1500 years. A fine dark stone shaped like tooth was found implanted in a skull found in Central America from 600 A.D.
Replacement of teeth
If all the teeth are replaced, it is called total replacement. Its removal is known as full acrylic denture. If it is fixed to the jaws, it is known as Implant Denture.
Full denture
All the teeth are removed. Then after 4 to 6 weeks the denture is made. Upper and lower jaws, impression are made and dentures are constructed according to the measurement.
Total fixed replacement or implant denture. Firstly, the quality of the bone and gums are checked for disease, and assessed for strength. A diabetic is not recommended such a replacement. The implant screws made of titanium are partially set into bones and dentures are fixed on to the screws.It may be a single implant tooth or fixed implant denture. A Single Tooth can be Permanently Implanted into jaw bone.
Now, Get Teeth in an Hour
The conventional procedure would take at least three to four months as one has to wait for the implants to heal before the teeth can be placed on it.
This new procedure is computer-aided, wherein a CT scan is done on the patient and sent to Nobel Biocare, a company at Kariskoga in Sweden.
A special software used by Nobel Biocare then converts the 2D image of the CT scan into a 3D one. In the meantime, the dentists here, i.e. in India, identify the anatomical structure, type and amount of bone, and send a report to Sweden.
Based on the images, the company sends a surgical template, which is used to place implants. Before the surgery, the surgical template is used to fabricate a permanent prosthesis.
A model is made with resin frame-work and sent to Sweden, following which the company then makes the framework using titanium, called a PIB Procera implant bridge.
The framework is shipped back to India where it is layered with porcelain or acrylic. As there is no manual intervention in the production of the surgical template, there is minimal scope for error.
Another key factor of this technique is that the gums are not opened during the surgery. It is a totally painless, swell-free and minimal bleeding procedure. Since the implants are placed in the same fitting as the final prothesis, it is called ‘teeth in an hour.’
Use of Computer in Dentistry
1. Records of all the details of patients.
2. Examination and treatment planning.
3. Appliances designing using CAD-CAM.
4. Computerised Imaging—cephalometrics.
5. Diagnosis and treatment.
Uses of laser
Lasers are most commonly used in dentistry. They must be combined with other types of visible lasers for the beam to be seen and aimed. The use of lasers in dentistry is discouraged due to many reasons.
Laser dentistry is an advanced system and is already well established in developed countries. An advantage over conventional technologies is that it provides a bloodless field due to its cauterizing effect, and is a painless process. It also reduces post-operative infection and there is minimal discomfort to the patient.
Laser dentistry is the latest way to ensure a wide range of painless dental procedures, right from root canal to tooth whitening. Laser application is becoming more widespread in treating benign tumours like lesions is the mouth and face.
Why Some People Have no Dental Complaints
Some people above 70 and 80 years have teeth that are still strong and disease free. But for many others living a very long life, painful and decayed teeth are common. Searching for the answers over the past decades, researchers have learned a great deal about loosening of teeth. There are two major diseases. One is the tooth cavity and the second is gum disease. Gum diseases, especially, are rising at an alarming rate in India and great researchers are doing work on this disease.
Trees of Life
When you were a kid you must have heard from your relatives comment about your face and your nose. Some of our parts resemble either that of dad or mom. The same applies to dental apparatus.
The teeth are even or uneven. This is one of the gifts from parents. When you visit a dentist you tell him about your parents, about blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. This will enable the dentist to carry out a planned treatment in future.