What is a dental implant?
The implant is an artificial substitute for the root of the natural tooth. It is made of titanium or zirconium (biocompatible metals). It has a specially designed socket to which suitable accessories fit. There will be supported either an artificial tooth (crown) or more than one (bridge).
The implant is placed inside the jawbone and over time (3 to 6 months) is integrated, which guarantees the long-term stability of the result.
Advantages of the implant placement
Implant placement is now the most modern, safe and long-lasting solution combined with the best aesthetic result for the restoration of lost teeth.
The advantages of implant placement are:
- The integrity of adjacent healthy teeth is not affected.
- Dental implants prevent the bone loss of the jawbone that usually occurs after a tooth is extracted. This helps maintain the size and shape of the jaw.
- Implant-supported teeth have the same biting and chewing power as natural teeth.
- Dental implants – and the restorations they support – look, feel and function like real teeth. Patients may not be able to tell the difference between a tooth supported by an implant and a natural tooth.
Can anyone have implants?
Implants can be placed in healthy patients, regardless of age.
The cases in which the use of implants is contraindicated are the following:
- Patients with chronic diseases treated with immunosuppressants.
- Patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- Patients undergoing radiotherapy to the face.
- Patients with severe cardiac and respiratory problems.
- Heavy smokers.
- Patients receiving bisphosphonates for osteoporosis.
In any case, after the doctor receives a detailed history he can decide if the placement of the implant is a safe and suitable solution for each patient.
Is implant placement a painful procedure?
Implant placement is a relatively painless procedure during which local anesthetic is used. The duration of the operation depends on the number of implants, while any discomfort that occurs after of the placement is treated with mild analgesic drugs.
What is the lifespan of the implants?
The placement of an implant is today the longer lasting and most appropriate solution for the restoration of lost teeth. According to the manufacturer’s specifications, the life of the implant is inexhaustible, however, it mainly depends on the overall oral hygiene since the implants require the same daily meticulous care as the natural teeth.
The placement of the implants in stages
First stage
The first stage is the clinical and radiographic evaluation of the oral cavity and especially of the area where the implant will be placed. Once the exact location and size of the implant is decided by the dentist, the implant is placed inside the jawbone, using local anesthesia.
Second stage
After the implant is placed in the jawbone, the formation of a strong intimate contact between the implant surface and the surrounding bone (osseointegration) occurs. The time required for dental osseointegration is usually 3 to 4 months for the lower jaw and 5 to 6 months for the upper jaw. This way the implant heals without putting extra pressure on the chewing while reducing the risk of implant failure.
During this period, a temporary restoration is placed so that the patient can chew but also have an even aesthetic result.
Third stage
After the necessary period of osseointegration, the dentist carefully examines the oral cavity and makes a precise impression of the implant. The appropriate crown is created which will cover the implant and the stump, the metal construction on which the crown will be placed.
However, each patient is unique and each dental case has its own peculiarities. Therefore, the above stages and visits may vary from one patient to another.