Dental implantation

What are dental implants?

An implant is an artificial dental root made from Titanium, which is implanted into the jaw through a surgical operation and which keeps the artificial tooth or teeth firmly in position. The dentures and bridges fixed by the implants do not move in the mouth which is an important advantage during eating and speech. This safe fitting gives a more natural feeling.

How long is the lifespan of the implants?

Depending on the place of the implant and the patient’s oral hygiene, the lifespan of the implants can be up to 10 or 20 years.

What are implants made of?

Nowadays, dental implants are made of Titanium, a metal with special attributes that make it possible to be used for such purposes - it does not corrode, it resists acids and other materials, it is not affected by magnetism, and it is very strong in comparison to its weight. This material has been examined for many years. The implants used nowadays are tissue-friendly, they do not cause any damage and the tissues interact well with them.

Who performs the implantation?

Several dental specialists may treat you if you get an implant. A dental surgeon inserts the implant. The prosthetic specialist or the general dentist prepares crowns, bridges or dental prosthesis. The surgeon is in control of the team, and they make a decision together about the type, number and place of the implant.

Who can get an implant?

The patient is ready for an implantation if he or she is in good health, has good oral hygiene and possesses sufficient bone substance. During the preliminary examinations, the therapist informs the patient about treatment and surgery procedures and the planning of prosthetic dentistry.

What is bone build-up?

To determine if you have sufficient bone substance, we need to perform preliminary examinations. If you do not have sufficient or healthy bone substance than bone replacement is needed to make the implantation successful. The bone replacement and the implantation may happen simultaneously, but your specialist can decide if the bone build-up should be performed first, and then you have to wait until after recovery before the implant is inserted. In this case four to six months will be needed for recovery before the implant can be inserted. During the recovery time, you can also wear your dental prosthesis or bridge without any problem.

Is implantation painful?

Our patients have been surprised to experience so little pain during the process of implantation. Dental surgeons, implantologists with many years of experience, perform the procedure as well as the local anesthesia, too. The procedure is only a small operation after which you may feel a little uncomfortable for about a week while the stitches are healing during the recovery process.

The process of dental implantation

After the local anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision in the gum, drills a hole to the jawbone, and places the implant into it. An X-ray record is prepared previously, so the surgeon can see the exact position of the implant. After the implantation, the doctor stitches the gum, and prescribes antibiotics and painkillers for the patient.

How much time does the full procedure take?

The length of the procedure depends on the number of implants, and respectively the necessity of the bone build-up. In most of the cases if it is only about one tooth the procedure takes only one hour.

Will I remain without teeth after the dental implantation?

If the implant is situated on the frontal part of the mouth then the dentist will make a temporary denture or a bridge for you, so you will not be without teeth. If you have a full dental prosthesis, then you can wear it during the entire recovery period after it has been redesigned.

Important details you should know following an implantation operation:

Put a cold pack on the operation area to reduce the swelling externally. Do not eat until the effect of anesthesia wears off. Do not consume coffee, tea, or alcohol, and do not smoke or eat spicy foods for one day. Carefully continue your oral hygiene and wash your teeth regularly except the surrounding area of the implant, and rinse with a disinfectant mouth wash as instructed. Take the prescribed medication. Take painkillers if necessary. The stitches will be removed after 7-10 days.

When will I have my new tooth?

You have to wait several months after the implantation before the implant ossificates, that is, the bone grows into firm position. It takes three to four months in cases of the lower and upper jaw, and it is six months in the case of an upper sinus-lift. The implant heals covered below the gum. After full recovery, the second operation may take place with the preparation and fixing of dental replacement (bridge, crown or dental prosthesis).

How successful are dental implantations?

More than 90 percent of dental implantations can be called successful. The implant may not always fit to the bone and when it is revealed, it may appear to have remained slack. In this case, the slack implant has to be removed and another has to be inserted. The reasons for this looseness could be the following: surgical trauma, inflammation / infection, smoking, the lack of healthy bone substance, etc.

When is implantation dental replacement recommended, and what are its advantages?

• If there’s a need to replace single teeth, the implant is suitable to replace the missing tooth without chiseling the neighboring healthy teeth.
• If a single tooth has to be replaced, which is at the end of the denture or if several teeth are missing. In such cases a fixed replacement, or the preparation of bridge, which is more comfortable and more easily manageable like the removable replacement, is only possible with the help of implants.
• If only a few own teeth remain, depending on the given situation, fix or removable dental replacements can be constructed with the implants.
• In case of full teeth deficiency, there is a chance for fix replacement, circular bridge or so-called overdenture and the preparation of combined dental replacement with the help of six to eight implants, depending on the given situation. It provides the feeling of comfort and safety while speaking and chewing.
• A further advantage of the implant is that it prevents the inevitable bone dissociation after the loss of tooth.

What is a dental prosthesis fixed with implants? What are its advantages?

We can apply it in the case of full tooth absence, if the patient has sufficient bone substance. The so-called overdenture is fixed with implants, in contrast, traditional dentures rest on the gum and the palate and are less stable and easy to remove. Fixed implants make speech easier, and there is no risk that it will loosen up or fall out of the mouth. You can consume food that you couldn’t have previously. The dental prosthesis fixed with an implant provides a more natural feeling than the traditional one.

What is a bridge fixed with implants?

It has similar functions, like a traditional bridge, but implants hold it, not natural teeth. It is used in a case where every single missing tooth is substituted by an implant instead of inserting separate crowns to these implants; they connect the crowns with each other. We can apply it in the case of full or partial dental deficiency; if the patient has sufficient bone substance, and he or she would like a dental replacement.

How to take care of the implants?

Take care of the implants the same way you take care of your natural teeth. Daily brushing and flossing are important. Systematic dental examination is also recommended.