A missing tooth should be replaced as quickly as possible. A missing tooth is not only an esthetical issue but in this case also dental health is in danger.
The neighboring teeth of the gap can move into the gap. Later, even the whole row of teeth can tip over. Tilted teeth are an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria and more plaque is formed. Disorders of the mastication function can cause indigestion or chronic pain. Therefore, the tooth gaps should be closed not only in the visible area, but also in the posterior tooth regions.
Dental implants are artificial titanium roots that are surgically attached to the jawbone and hold the artificial tooth or teeth. Protheses and bridges supported by implants do not slip, which is a great advantage when eating and talking. This secure grip gives a more natural feeling when worn.
Before implantation Before treatment it is determined in the context of a detailed examination and consultation, whether the implantation is possible and useful. Patients will be informed about treatment alternatives and risks. In the planning also the personal wishes of the patient are taken into account. Various types of X-ray images can be taken for the exact planning of the implantation (panoramic radiograph (OPG), CT scan)
Here you find FAQs concerning tooth implants.
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.
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.
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.
After local anesthesia, the dental surgeon will make a cut in the gum, drill a hole in the jawbone and place the implant in it. Before that, an X-ray is taken which allows the surgeon to determine the exact position of the implant. After implantation, the gum is sutured and the patient receives Antibiotics and analgesics.
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.
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.
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.
Special tests are required to determine the bone mass in your jaw. If you do not have enough bone structure or if you are not healthy, then you may need bone augmentation in this area before the dental implant can be used to increase your chances of success. Bone augmentation and implantation can be done simultaneously in most cases. The oral surgeon will decide, however, whether bone augmentation is necessary before implantation. Then you have to wait for the healing process before the implant can be placed. In this case, you have to calculate about 6 months before the implant can be used. During this healing period it is possible to keep on carrying your prothesis or bridge.
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.
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).
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.
