Implantology
Teeth have a visible part (crown) and an invisible part (root).
When a patient visits a dentist with an infected or damaged tooth, often the dentist is able to treat it in order save your own natural tooth.
However, sometimes this isn’t possible, and then it is necessary to extract the tooth.
To fill the gap and replace that tooth, a bridge is a feasible option,
but only if there is a sufficient number of healthy adjacent teeth to attach it to.
Fortunately, we can nowadays use implants (artificial roots) in such a case, which provide a comfortable and durable solution.
Implants are less expensive than generally believed.
What is an implant?
An implant looks like a screw and is made of body-friendly titanium, which fuses well to the jaw bone. This provides the basis for a crown or bridge. Implants can be inserted to replace one or more teeth or even all your teeth. Depending on the chosen solution, one or more implants are placed.
How are implants inserted?
Implants are inserted under local anaesthetics, after which the surrounding gum tissue is stitched. After 2-3 months the implant would have fused with your bone, and a crown or bridge can be placed. We will, of course, first consult with you to determine the best solution for you.
Aftercare
Most people do not experience much inconvenience after an implant has been placed. You can take ordinary painkillers if you feel any pain or if your gums are sensitive. It takes about two to three months for the implant to fuse with your bone. During this period you must make sure you do not exert too much pressure on it. You may therefore be required to change your diet temporarily. We will, of course, give you the necessary advice.
Once the crown, bridge or prosthesis has been placed, you need to take good care of your teeth. We will discuss this with you. We will do regular check-ups to closely monitor the condition of your gums and jaw bone. If necessary we will take some more X-rays.
From the first visit, we will carefully study your case for a personalized diagnosis and explore with you the different possibilities to find the solution that suits you best.
Of course, throughout the treatment process we will be by your side, explaining you every step of the treatment.
WHEN ARE IMPLANTS INDICATED
- Single tooth gap with completely healthy adjacent teeth
Here, dental implants have a great advantage as they preserve natural tooth material by avoiding the need to prepare adjacent teeth. In addition, dental implants offer independent support to crown and bridges, thus not putting any strain on other teeth.
With an implant and an implant-supported crown the adjacent teeth remain untouched - The Last (posterior) tooth/teeth is/are missing
In case of the absence of the last molar(s) in the dental arch traditional dental bridges (supported by natural teeth) are difficult to design because the back support tooth/teeth is/are missing. - When all teeth are missing
In case of the absence of all teeth the only traditional solution available is a removable full denture.
Implant supported prosthesis (either fixed or removable) allow to chew the food better, speak more clearly and they have a superior stability.
What do you need to be able to have an Implant with long term success?
- A healthy mouth with no untreated tooth decay or gum (periodontal) disease.
- Sufficient amount and density of bone
- Good oral hygiene, dental implants require more than just brushing. Special care is needed to clean them properly to avoid peri implantitis.
- Regular visits to the dental hygienist and regular check-ups.
- A great implant dentist!
IMPLANTS IN TOOTHLESS JAWS
- removable dentures stabilized with Implants ( Snap-on)
If you wear a partial or a full denture, implants may be a welcome solution, particularly if your dentures no longer fit properly due to the shrinkage of your jaw. An implant-retained prosthesis is fixed securely in your mouth while you eat, speak or laugh, but you can also easily remove it and place it back in yourself.
The prosthesis is a type of removable dental prosthesis that is clipped onto 2 or 4 dental implants. When clipped onto the implants, the denture does not require any glue. However, it is only a semi-fixed solution as you can remove them every night for hygiene purposes. - Non- removable full Arch bridges on implants (all-on-4, all-on-6, all-on-8)
Non removable dentures have an appearance which is similar to that of a bridge, this solution is a permanent fixed solution as it cannot be removed without the dentist unscrewing them. This implant-retained bridge can be anchored with 4 (all-on-4), 6 (all-on-6) or 8 (all-on-8) dental implants . This permanent solution allows the replacement of all the teeth of an arch and the restoration of real chewing comfort over the long term. Without a false palate, this solution provides a natural feeling and look.
The type of dentures you ultimately choose should be designed to best serve you for years to come. While both fixed and removable dentures are viable options for long-term use, there are some differences in their care and maintenance that might be helpful to discuss with your dentist.
As opposed to removable options, permanent non-removable dentures need to be cleaned and maintained with excellent oral hygiene practices, including daily use of interdental brushes and regular visits to the dentist and Hygienist, at least every 6 months for check-ups, and deep cleaning
Therefore, non-removable dentures are not a suitable option for patients who have poor hygiene habits.
Do you want to know more? We will be more than happy to give you the information you need