Implantology – Dental implant
Throughout our lifetime, we lose one or more teeth for a wide range of reasons: cavities, accidents, aging or periodontal disease. The lack of teeth can have negative effect on general health of the whole body due to incorrect chewing of food, on the mouth through overloading of the neighboring teeth, as well as speech and self-confidence. Implantology is the surgical specialty that solves these issues by replacing missing or severely damaged teeth that cannot be saved by any other dental method.
What is a dental implant?
The dental implant is the most effective method of replacing the root of the tooth, and keep the same functions as the natural one and provide stable and durable support for the new tooth. Dental implants are designed to mimic the root structure of natural teeth. They are placed directly in the jawbone, so as to provide a stable and secure support for the replacement teeth.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
The most common condition that calls for a dental implant is periodontal disease or periodontitis, a condition mainly caused by the accumulation of pathogenic bacteria in the mouth. Failure to treat periodontitis or other conditions such as caries, in time, leads to the loss of dental structures, and the most effective method to replace them, both functionally and aesthetically, is the implant.
The advantages offered by a dental implant are:
- does not affect natural teeth;
- has an important role in dental aesthetics;
- helps to render a correct diction;
- improves physiognomy;
- improves mastication;
- it is a long-term investment;
- helps prevent bone loss;
- it is a simple and painless intervention.
What are the components of a dental implant?
A dental implant consists of three main elements: screw, abutment and crown.
Dental screw or implant has the role of an artificial root and is inserted into the bone. It represents the base of the tooth and can be used to replace a single tooth, when supporting a single crown, or can be engaged in bridges on implants. The screw is made of titanium, titanium alloy with zirconium or ceramic, depending on the patient’s preferences and needs.
The abutment is the connection between the screw and the artificial tooth. There are several types of abutments, each of which corresponds to a certain type of implant. Therefore, it is very important that the match between implant and abutment is correct, that both products are from the same manufacturer, in order to avoid unpleasant situations such as inflammation of the peri-implant tissues or that the abutment breaks.
The crown represents the aesthetic part of the artificial tooth. This is done by a dental technician who manages to create a new tooth in similar shape and color to the natural tooth or its respective match on the opposite side of the arch.
What are the stages of making a dental implant?
There are 3 stages of dental implant treatment
1. Consultation
The initial consultation is a general examination of oral and general health. During the consultation, the patient must bring a recent panoramic radiograph, no older than six months, so that the doctor can assess the health of the oral cavity, as well as the results of the medical examination that certify that he is fit for the dental implant. Also, this stage includes radiological investigations – a Computer Tomography (CT) examination, which generates important information regarding the bone tissue. Thus, the doctor will be able to determine with certainty whether a dental implant is completely safe, as well as if additional procedures are necessary, such as: bone additions and reconstructions, or sinus lift.
2. The surgical stage of the dental implant
This stage involves the actual insertion of the implant in the bone, to replace the absent root. This intervention takes place under local anesthesia.
3. Prosthetic stage of the dental implant
The last stage of the dental implant can be performed approximately four to six months after the surgery. This is a time needed for the osseointegration of the screw. In the prosthetic stage, the dental crown chosen by the patient is attached, and the final result will finally be visible.
What does the recovery period mean after a dental implant?
After the implant, there is a necessary break of 2 hours from consuming any food – until the anesthesia wears off completely. Swelling and bleeding are normal and nothing to worry about or fear. The bleeding will disappear during the next 24 hours, however the inflammation may persist for several days – for some relief, cold compresses are advised. Moreover, any type of medication may be taken ONLY with the consent with your dental physician. As for oral hygiene, it is important to use a toothbrush with soft bristles and gentle movement.
Is the dental implant procedure painful?
The intervention is not painful as we use local anesthesia. This is the most effective anesthesia method used in dentistry, because the doctor has the opportunity to communicate with the patient throughout the procedure. In special cases, when it comes to anxious patients or long procedures, intravenous sedation anesthesia is used. General anesthesia is used exceptionally in oral implantology, in particular cases.
What are the complications and contraindications of a dental implant?
Like any other surgical intervention, the dental implant can encounter various complications:
- pain, in certain cases;
- infection
- edema
- bruising
- rejection of the implant
- peri-implantitis – inflammation with loss of bone support
There are also some contraindications that can prevent the patient from benefiting from the dental implant:
- pregnancy;
- nursing;
- anxiety & epilepsy;
- HIV infection;
- young age.
