Regain your healthy smile! The loss of your teeth reduces your self-confidence. You can’t chew well, you can’t enjoy a delicious meal, you feel uncomfortable, and also feel worried about how you look and furthermore you are bad tempered.
With the help of traditional tooth replacement methods we cannot always solve these problems entirely. In such cases the best solution is a tooth replacement based on dental implants! Dental implantology is known as a scientifically based, clinically well-tried method in medicine. It has also been an integrated part of dentistry nowadays. The excellent quality of the implanting material along with the sophisticated operation technology makes dental implantation to one of the routine procedures applied in the field of functional and aesthetic denture rehabilitation.
This up-to-date tooth replacement method substitutes missing teeth with the help of artificial tooth roots (dental implants). A prosthesis placed on an implant is just as strong, useable and beautiful as your natural teeth.
What is a dental implant?
Dental implants are artificial tooth root made of titanium, which is placed in the jaw-bone and keeps the artificial tooth or teeth firmly in position. Dentures and bridges fixed by implants don’t move in your mouth, which is a great advantage while eating and speaking. This safe fitting gives you a more natural feeling.
What are dental implants made of?
Nowadays dental implants are made of titanium, which is an inert lightweight metal, which is widely used in implants because it effectively bonds with a person’s bone, it doesn’t 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 studied and tested for many years. The currently used implants are accepted by the human body, they don’t cause any damage or harm.
Who carries out the implantation?
More dental specialists may treat you, if you get an implant. The implant is inserted by a surgeon dentist. The prosthetic dentist or general dentist prepare crowns, bridges and dentures. The surgeon unites the team, and together they decide about the type, the number and the exact place of the implants.
Can anyone get dental implants?
In most cases, anyone healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery can be considered for a dental implant. Patients should have healthy gums, good oral hygiene and enough bone to hold the implant. During the preliminary examinations the dentist informs the patient about the treatments and surgical processes, and the planning of prosthetic dentistry.
Can anyone get dental implants?
In most cases, anyone healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery can be considered for a dental implant. Patients should have healthy gums, good oral hygiene and enough bone to hold the implant. During the preliminary examinations the dentist informs the patient about the treatments and surgical processes, and the planning of prosthetic dentistry.
What is a sinus lift?
In order to diagnose if you have enough bone tissue, preliminary examinations are necessary. If you don’t have enough or healthy bone tissue, then a sinus lift or sometimes called sinus augmentation is needed, so that the implantation can be successful. The sinus lift can be carried out at the same time as the implantation, but your dentist may decide, that first the sinus lift is carried out, and after the healing period the implants are inserted. In this case the healing takes about four to six months, before the implants can be placed. During this time you can wear your dentures or bridges, of course.
Is implantation painful?
Our patients are always 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 anaesthesia. The procedure is only a small operation after which you may feel a little uncomfortable during the recovery process for about a week while the stitches are healing.
The process of implantation
After the local anaesthesia the surgeon makes an incision in the gum, drills a hole to the jawbone, and places the implant into it. Previously an X-ray record is prepared, so the surgeon can see the exact position of the implant. After the implantation the dentist stitches the gum, and prescribes antibiotics and painkillers for the patient.
How long does the full procedure take?
The length of the procedure depends on the number of implants, and respectively the necessity of the sinus-lift. In most cases if it is only about one tooth the procedure takes only one hour.
Will I remain without teeth after the implantation?
If the implant is situated on the front 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 full recovery period after it has been redesigned.
Important information after the implantation operation:
Put a cold compress on the operation area to reduce the swelling externally. Do not eat until the effect of anaesthesia wears off. Do not consume coffee, tea or alcohol, and do not smoke or eat spicy meals for one day. Carefully continue your oral hygiene and wash your teeth regularly except the surrounding area of the implant, and rinse with a disinfectant mouth wash, as instructed. Take the prescribed medicine. Take painkillers if necessary. The stitches will be removed after 7-10 days.
When will I get my new teeth?
After the implantation you have to wait several months before the implant ossificates, that is, the bone grows into firm position. In case of the lower and upper jaw this takes three to four months, 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).
How successful are dental implantations?
More than 90 percent of dental implantations can be called successful. It may happen, that the implant doesn’t always fit to the bone and when it is revealed, it may appear to have remained slack, loose. In this case, the slack implant has to be removed and another has to be inserted. The reasons for this could be the following: surgical trauma, inflammation / infection, smoking, the lack of healthy bone substance, etc.
When is the implantation of dental replacements recommended and what are the advantages?
- If there’s a need to replace single teeth, the implant is suitable to replace the missing tooth without chiselling, smoothing the neighbouring healthy teeth.
- If a single tooth has to be replaced, which is at the end of the denture or if several teeth are missing. In such cases a fixed replacement or the preparation of a bridge, which is more comfortable and more easily manageable like the removable replacement, is only possible with the help of implants.
- If only a few own teeth remain, depending on the given situation, fix or removable dental replacements can be made with the help of implants.
- Another advantage of the implant is that it prevents the inevitable bone dissociation after the loss of a tooth.
- In case of full teeth deficiency, there is a chance for fix replacement, circular bridge or so-called overdenture and the preparation of combined dental replacement with the help of six to eight implants, depending on the given situation. It provides the feeling of comfort and safety while speaking and chewing.
What is a dental prosthesis fixed with implants? What are the advantages?
This method can be used in case of full endentulousness, if the patient has sufficient bone substance. The so-called overdenture is fixed with implants, in contrast, traditional dentures rest on the gum and the palate and are less stable, so they are easy to remove. Fixed implants make speech easier, and there is no risk that it will loosen up or fall out of the mouth. You can eat meals, food that you couldn’t have previously. The dental prosthesis fixed with an implant provides a more natural feeling than the traditional one.
What is a bridge fixed with an implant?
It has similar functions like a traditional bridge, but instead of natural teeth, it is held by implants. It is used in a case where every single missing tooth is substituted by an implant instead of inserting separate crowns to these implants; they connect the crowns with each other. It can be applied in case of full or partial dental deficiency; if the patient has sufficient bone substance, and he or she would like a dental replacement.
How should implants be cleaned?
Take care of the implants the same way you take care of your natural teeth. Daily brushing and flossing are most important. Regular dental examination, check-ups are also recommended.