Q4_Fall_2016_AlertDiver

I’m going to see an oral surgeon next week

for dental implants; will I ever be able to

dive again?

A dental implant is a titanium post or frame

that’s surgically placed in the jawbone. An

implant replaces a natural tooth root and

provides a base for mounting replacement teeth or a

bridge. There are multiple steps in the process of dental

implantation, and each step has its own restrictions on

diving. The steps can be completed simultaneously as a

same-day implant or extended over time. Your dentist

or oral surgeon is your best resource, but the following

information may be helpful. In general, diving is not

recommended until all healing is complete, the implant

has had adequate integration time and the appropriate

dental restoration is in place.

The initial step is extraction of a damaged tooth. At

the time of the extraction, several things may happen. A

bone matrix (bone graft) may be placed in the socket to

provide a suitable site for the future implant. Placement

of grafting material depends on the site in the jaw and

the density and thickness of the surrounding bone.

Alternatively, the tooth could be extracted and the

socket allowed to heal naturally. Or the implant might be

placed at the time of the extraction.

The placement of the implant is the most critical step.

Your implant specialist will drill a precise hole into the

bone and screw in a threaded titanium post. Following

this procedure, you will need to avoid diving for an

extended period to allow osseointegration of the implant.

Fusion of the titanium implant and the surrounding

bone is crucial to success. Anything that interferes

with this osseointegration, including micromovement

of the implant, infection, etc., can cause the implant to

fail. There is no specific research on dental implants

and diving, and dentists’ opinions about time out of

the water vary. Some will suggest a minimum of three

RESEARCH, EDUCATION & MEDICINE

FROM THE MEDICAL LINE

Diving with Dental Implants

DAN MEDICS AND RESEARCHERS ANSWER

YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT DIVE MEDICINE.

FALL 2016