Dental implantation is one of the most common methods of restoring the function of teeth. The method makes it possible to restore the aesthetics and function of the dentition in case of loss of one or several teeth.
Dental implants are also successfully used in complete restoration of the oral cavity when all teeth are missing.
We tell about important details and stages of the procedure.
What is dental implantation, and what are its advantages
Dental implantation is a procedure that replaces the roots of a tooth with a metal-titanium screw construction and replaces the missing tooth or teeth with artificial ones. Implants become the support for a future dental crown or another fixed prosthesis. Dental implants are durable and can last a lifetime. They do not develop caries and require the same rules of oral hygiene as natural teeth, which makes care easier.
Advantages of dental implantation:
• High percentage of construction survival. Integration of the titanium pin into the bone occurs, and over time the pin literally grows into it. In 97% of cases the procedure ends with successful integration of the construction.
• Aesthetics. Dental implants in appearance are practically impossible to distinguish from natural teeth.
• Versatility. Dental implants make it possible to compensate for the absence of both one tooth and several.
• Hypoallergenicity. Prosthetics is performed using a titanium construction. This is a hypoallergenic, inert metal, which is actively used in medicine. That is why dental implants are recommended to those who have an allergy to latex removable constructions.
• No gaps or crowding between teeth are formed in the mouth. Since thanks to implantation the surrounding teeth do not move after the removal of one, you will not have to wear braces or other orthodontic constructions. Using dental implants to replace several teeth, you do not lose bone mass, as it would be if you chose traditional prostheses. Implants contribute to bone growth in the jaw.
• Strength. You do not need to change your diet when implants are installed. Prostheses fixed on implants do not require additional fixation. They do not move in the mouth, which reduces the likelihood that your eating habits or speech abilities will change.
Disadvantages of dental implantation
Dental implantation is a serious dental surgery, which is performed exclusively by a professional dental surgeon in a clinic. Intervention in the jawbone and the recovery process may be accompanied by such negative but short-term consequences as:
• pain and temperature rise;
• discomfort at the place where the titanium construction was integrated.
If you follow all the doctor’s recommendations, the discomfort will disappear within 3–5 days.
Rejection of the implant is a rare phenomenon, which occurs only in 2–3% of patients. Often this is facilitated by non-fulfillment by the patient of the surgeon’s recommendations.
Also to the disadvantages of the procedure can be attributed the long healing process. The construction becomes stable after 4–6 months, when it integrates with the jawbone. Until this moment it is undesirable to load the implant site significantly, to bite hard food.
All these disadvantages are overlapped by the advantages of the procedure. The success of dental implantation also depends on the clinical case of the patient, the presence of additional diseases, the accuracy of recommendations regarding further follow-up, the qualification of the doctor and the quality of the materials used.
What are the stages of dental implant placement?
Consultation and CT
The decision to install implants is an important step to improving both oral health and overall well-being. However, this process requires some patience, since it usually does not occur in one visit.
The process consists of several stages, starting with the primary consultation of the doctor and computed tomography of the jaw.
The dentist evaluates the following:
• the height of the jawbone;
• the width of the jaw arch;
• the condition of the roots of neighboring teeth;
• the condition of the bones;
• absence of inflammatory processes in the jaw;
• depth and size of the maxillary sinuses.
For successful dental implantation, the oral cavity must be healthy, that is, treatment of caries, professional cleaning of teeth, and elimination of inflammatory processes may be required.
Bone grafting
Not everyone needs bone grafting to add material to the jawbone. However, if you need this step, it may take several months for the new bone material to become fixed and grow.
Placement
Your dental surgeon will know if you need bone grafting for implant placement. After evaluating all these anatomical parameters and collecting anamnesis, the doctor plans the operation and chooses the method of implantation (classical, “all-on-4” or “all-on-6”).
The most popular implant brands are: Straumann, Nobel, Bicon. The manufacturers of these implants offer a wide range of solutions for many clinical cases (implants of different constructions, shapes and lengths, abutments with different angles of inclination). It is worth remembering that the use of high-quality implants allows to achieve the best treatment result.
On the day of manipulation, the patient under anesthesia has the tissue cut, penetrating to the jawbone. With the help of dental instruments, a hole is made in the bone, where a titanium screw-like implant is screwed. After the procedure, the hole is sutured, and the patient is released home.
Healing
After implant placement there must pass a healing period to ensure proper osseointegration of the implants. The process of osseointegration of the surrounding bone may last several months depending on individual factors and the complexity of the case.
While healing occurs, temporary restorations can be worn to maintain aesthetics and functionality during this time.
Many patients need to follow a soft diet during the healing stage.
Completion of abutment and crown placement
After the implants integrate with the jawbone, abutments will be attached. Abutments are small connectors that protrude above the gum line and serve as anchors (fixation) for final restorations such as crowns, bridges, or dentures that will be fixed on them.
Taking impressions of your oral cavity will allow to make individual crowns, bridges, or dentures, which will then be fixed with the help of these anchors.
Final restorations
The last step in the process of dental implantation is the installation of permanent restorations. Your dentist will ensure that these restorations fit comfortably and reliably, so that you can enjoy your new smile for many years.
What needs to be done immediately after implantation?
Immediately after the procedure, during 48 hours pain is completely natural. To minimize discomfort, painkillers can be used. But aspirin is prohibited. This drug has anticoagulant properties, it can provoke bleeding in damaged gums. In any case, it is necessary to strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations.
Also prohibited:
• drinking through a straw: this can create a vacuum environment in the oral cavity, which can provoke bleeding;
• consuming hot or cold drinks, spicy dishes;
• consuming energy drinks and coffee: products with high caffeine content increase blood pressure, provoking bleeding.
The first two weeks it is not recommended to do sports, to visit saunas and baths.
How to properly care for the oral cavity before and after the procedure?
Before implantation it is necessary to thoroughly brush the teeth. If the patient takes anticoagulants, the doctor must be warned before the procedure.
After the procedure of dental implantation, the main goal of the patient is to follow the doctor’s recommendations.
Especially many questions arise regarding oral hygiene after the manipulation. Instead of a classic toothbrush, try a special surgical toothbrush with soft bristles. Refuse irrigators for the period of healing. The water jet under pressure can significantly affect the place of intervention.
One month after the procedure the patient must visit the doctor to control the rehabilitation process. If necessary, computed tomography is performed to control the condition.
Care after placement
After placement of dental implants and crowns or other prostheses it is extremely important to follow proper oral hygiene and not miss regular dental check-ups to ensure long-term success.
Contact us at the YAREMA DENTAL clinic regarding dental implants or other oral care services. The process of dental implantation can be a complex process that requires planning and patience. Understanding its time frames and what to expect at each stage, you can approach it with confidence and get the smile you have always dreamed of.
We have also collected for you interesting facts about implantation that you probably do not know.