Dental implants gain ground in India

The following article appears at http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070903/cth3.htm

Even as the first osseointegrated dental implant was placed in the late 60s, a lot of misconception about the implants and the resultant complications have lead to the implant not gaining popularity.

This was stated by Dr M. Thomas Abraham, a prominent dental surgeon in Malaysia.

Dr Abraham, who migrated from Kerala after studying in India, was talking to The Tribune on the sidelines of two-day Joint Scientific Meet of the International College of Continuing Dental Education (ICCDE) and Indian Dental Association at CII here yesterday.

More than 300 delegates from different parts of the country and abroad attended the meeting. The meeting, being held under the aegis of Asia Pacific Dental Federation, was inaugurated by Tikshan Sood, minister of medical education and research, Punjab.

There are complications involved in the osseointegrated dental implant as it involves risks, including damage to vital organs like nerves, surgery related infection, and damage to the adjoining teeth, but the success rate is as high between 85 and 90 per cent, claimed Dr Abraham.

In fact several dentists are reluctant to incorporate this treatment in their treatment plan, said Dr Thomas. Studies revealed that at least 80 per cent of dentists have attended an implant course or attended a hands on session and yet many of them feel reluctant to go for it.

One of the major concerns in the minds of a practioner is that a majority of the patients can not afford the cost of implant which amounts to more than Rs 15,000 for one tooth in India, said Dr Thomas adding that, however, the cost differs from country to country and it costs around $ 3000 in USA.

Even after these complications the osseointegrated dental implant is coming up gradually in the market with greater awareness as it provides the patient an artificial tooth which is very similar to the natural one.