The benefits of implants as a long-lasting solution for edentulism
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 9th December 2022
Edentulism can have an astounding impact on your patients’ day-to-day lives, not to mention the effects on their oral and general health. Implants can often improve their quality of life and overall health. However, because the field is not part of undergraduate training in the UK, dental professionals looking to provide implant treatment must seek out opportunities to develop their skills in this area. So, what are the benefits of providing your patients with implant retained prostheses compared with removable dentures? And, how might you go about training to offer this treatment in your practice?
Effects of edentulism on oral and general health
The consequences of edentulism can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life. From aesthetic concerns making patients feel embarrassed, to more serious consequences for their overall health, providing edentulous patients with appropriate care is extremely important.
Research suggests that 39% of elderly edentulous patients were prevented from eating foods they would like to eat and 29% enjoyed food less since losing their teeth. And, compared to dentate people, edentulous patients ate fewer vegetables, less fibre, and less carotene, all while consuming more saturated fats and cholesterol. This is concerning as an insufficient diet means that the edentulous population may be prevented from meeting the recommended dietary allowances, leading to compromised nutrition. This is especially true for patients who do not have removable dentures.[i]
When it comes to the life expectancy of edentulous patients, tooth loss has been linked with the onset of disability and mortality, with research suggesting an association between edentulism before the age of 65 and an increased risk of early mortality.i
It is important to understand that edentulism does not only influence the oral function, but also the patient’s social life, their day-to-day activities and mental wellbeing. Patients who have compromised oral function can be seen to have lower self-esteem and psychological wellbeing, and edentulous people tend to avoid social activities due to embarrassment about speaking, smiling, and eating – with 14% avoiding eating with other people. These factors could lead to patients isolating themselves.i
Implants to improve quality of life
Dental implant treatment has proven to be an effective long-term solution for edentulism.[ii] A study suggests that almost complete psycho-social rehabilitation is achieved after the stabilisation of implant retained prostheses, with patients feeling more comfortable around family and friends, and some even able to enjoy a meal in a restaurant.[iii] Before this, patients were using removable complete dentures – many were feeling anxious about loss of retention in social settings, and experienced discomfort particularly when eating. This suggests that, in many cases, implant retained prostheses are a much more suitable treatment for edentulism than removable dentures.iii
Dental implant retained prostheses are also a more permanent solution, and, when looked after properly, can last many years depending how well the patient maintains their oral hygiene – they require the same oral hygiene recommendations as natural dentition would.
Expanding your dental education to offer dental implant treatment
The General Dental Council (GDC) states that dentists must be competent in implantology to provide this treatment. Therefore, any dentist wishing to offer this service must complete an appropriate amount of training in order to deliver the procedure safely. There are a number of educational options dentists will need to choose between. For example, academic courses resulting in MSc, MClinDent, or MMedSci, or CPD courses, resulting in various levels of qualification.[iv]
Ucer Education offers a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Implant Dentistry (EduQual Level 7). On completion of this course, delegates will be able to incorporate implant treatment into their practice confidently and safely. The course is one year long and aims to provide clinicians with theoretical and practical skills they need to perform dental implant placement and restoration to a high standard. They will develop exceptional clinical skills under the supervision of Professor Cemal Ucer, Specialist Oral Surgeon and a highly-regarded authority in implant education.
Gaining the necessary skills to be able to offer high-quality dental implant placement is incredibly valuable for many in dentistry. This treatment can be potentially life-changing for many edentulous patients, allowing them the freedom to eat the food they’d like, speak to friends, and smile with confidence.
For more information on the PG Cert in Implant Dentistry from Ucer Education – supported by Geistlich, Megagen, Neoss, and General Medical – please visit www.ucer.education or call Prof Ucer on 07767 645331
Email ucer@icedental.institute
[i] Emami, Elham, et al. “The impact of edentulism on oral and general health.” International journal of dentistry 2013 (2013).https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijd/2013/498305/
[ii]Gibson, Robin L., and C. W. Barclay. “Dental implantology education: a survey of opinion and experience of 106 general dental practitioners.” British dental journal 201.6 (2006): 367-370. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Craig-Barclay/publication/6803433_Dental_implantology_education_A_survey_of_opinion_and_experience_of_106_general_dental_practitioners/links/0deec53a487af5dfe2000000/Dental-implantology-education-A-survey-of-opinion-and-experience-of-106-general-dental-practitioners.pdf
[iii] Polzer, Ines, et al. “Edentulism as part of the general health problems of elderly adults.” International dental journal 60.3 (2010): 143-155. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653920340958/pdf?md5=9e63145f92e9ba66e779552afcebdf50&pid=1-s2.0-S0020653920340958-main.pdf
[iv] Kim, Na Yeoun, and Sami Stagnell. “Postgraduate education in dental implantology in the United Kingdom.” (2018). https://journalimplantdent.springeropen.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s40729-017-0115-1.pdf?site=journalimplantdent.springeropen.com.pdf
