Contraindications for dental implants. What to watch out for? [WE EXPLAIN]

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Dental implants are a permanent and aesthetic way to fill gaps left by lost teeth. Unfortunately, not everyone can use this solution due to the invasiveness of the procedure and the resulting contraindications. Check when to insert dental implants and when it is not recommended.

When are dental implants inserted?

Dental loss is the result of a variety of circumstances, including disease or neglect that causes excessive development of caries. The situation in which we lose our teeth is never comfortable. However, this does not mean that this visual defect cannot be fixed. Sometimes even more important than aesthetics is a purely practical issue, i.e. biting difficult due to the lack of teeth.

In the event of the loss of one tooth, it is possible to put in a prosthetic bridge based on the adjacent teeth. Such a solution is not always possible, especially when the general condition of the bite is not the best. A permanent solution in the event of loss of one or more teeth (and even complete toothlessness) are dental implants.

1. Also read about the types of dental implants.

A person who has lost a tooth and wants to have an implant must go for a consultation and often wait a certain period of time before the procedure can be performed. It all depends on the tooth and root type. In the case of single-root teeth, implantations can be performed relatively quickly, but with replacement molars you should wait up to ten months. However, do not delay inserting the implants for too long. This is because negative health effects appear over time. Unfavorable changes in the bite alignment lead to overloads and damage, and also increase the risk of caries development.

Dental implants are installed:

1. in case of tooth loss as a result of carious lesions or injuries;
2. in people with undeveloped tooth buds;
3. when some or even all teeth are missing;
4. when the patient cannot effectively implement other prosthetic solutions, including bridges;
5. when a patient with a significant loss of dentition does not want to opt for a removable denture.

Dental implants – the main contraindications

Dental implants are not always a solution that a given patient can use. The most common contraindications for implant placement are chronic diseases that affect the skeletal system or immunity. The dentist should be informed about any ailments that may make the procedure difficult or lead to complications. His responsibility is an interview during the planning of the procedure, which includes not only an interview with the patient, but also checking the condition of the oral cavity and ordering appropriate tests.

Here the most important contraindications for dental implants:

1. It is not possible to insert dental implants in children and adolescents who are still developing bone tissues. Depending on the individual predispositions of the organism, the earliest implantation procedure is carried out around the age of 17 or 18. It is often recommended that the patient be over 20, preferably over 25.
2. Osteoporosis – the disease weakens the bone tissue and reduces its regenerative capacity, so the implant might not be accepted.
3. Periodontitis often excludes implantological treatment because it significantly increases the risk of implant rejection. In this disease, other methods of dealing with dental problems are recommended. If the implant is necessary, in the case of advanced disease, the doctor may find it necessary to regenerate the bone.
4. Untreated caries excludes the possibility of performing the procedure. First of all, the patient must be treated for any carious lesions, because their source is bacteria that can lead to more serious infections and complications.
5. Unstable diabetes – in the case of diabetics, the risk of postoperative infections and problems with the integration of the implant with bone tissues increases. After consulting the dentist and other specialists, it may turn out that implantation of the screw is possible. The key factor here, however, is to stabilize sugar levels.
6. Bruxism is a dentition-damaging phenomenon consisting in rubbing, often unconsciously, between the upper teeth and the lower ones. The negative effects of bruxism will also become apparent in the case of dental implants, as they may not be accepted.
7. Neoplastic diseases are an absolute contraindication to surgery, because the sick person has reduced immunity, wounds take longer to heal, and often other symptoms are also observed. The possible possibility of implantological treatment appears in the case of remission of the disease.
8. Epilepsy requires medical consultation for invasive dental procedures as they can trigger a seizure. People with epilepsy also have an increased risk of bone injuries and damage to dentures.
9. Blood clotting disorders – diseases related to the coagulation system increase the risk of uncontrolled bleeding during the procedure, as well as difficulties in wound healing.
10. Immunodeficiency, occurring, for example, in AIDS, is a contraindication to the procedure, because in such patients the risk of infections increases during the implantation of dental implants.
11. Alcoholism. General contraindications for implants include addictions such as alcoholism, which negatively affects wound healing, regeneration of bone structures, immunity and the condition of the oral mucosa.
12. Heavy smoking is another addiction that is largely linked to rejection of dental implants. Smokers have poorer bone quality, less cell regeneration and a higher likelihood of developing inflammation of the mucous membranes, including the mouth.
13. Some medications – a thorough medical consultation requires the patient’s pharmacological agents. Some of them may be a contraindication to the procedure. Particular care should be taken in the case of drugs taken in the treatment of mental, rheumatoid, cardiovascular, liver, kidney and bone marrow diseases, as well as Parkinson’s disease.
14. Pregnancy. One of the contraindications related to dental implants is pregnancy, which is obviously a temporary contraindication. After the baby is born, you can start planning the implantation of the screw in the place of the lost dentition.

Dental implants – local contraindications

In addition to general contraindications, there may be contraindications strictly related to the area intended for the strain or the surrounding tissues.

The procedure should be suspended if inflammation has developed in the area of ​​the procedure. It is recommended that the oral cavity is in good condition as any changes or infections may affect the process of osseointegration, i.e. the fusion of the screw with the surrounding tissue. Another local contraindication may be malocclusion, which will make it impossible to place the crown on the previously implemented base (titanium or zirconium screw).

An obstacle in fixing the implant may be insufficient space in the socket or its unfavorable anatomical structure, which prevents stable anchoring of the implant in the bone. A site problem often arises when a patient has delayed too long before going to a specialist to have an implant replaced after a tooth that has been extracted or otherwise lost.

Caring for dental implants

When we decide to implantation of a dental implant, we must remember to follow the rules of oral hygiene. If we have problems with regularity and we do not attend dental consultations regularly, it may have a negative impact not only on the condition of the natural dentition, but also have negative effects on the gums and bones around the implants. It is important to clean the entire teeth and the implant area properly and carefully, as well as to use additional dental agents recommended by the dentist.

1. Read more: Electric or sonic? Which toothbrush will take better care of your teeth?

People with dental implants should use properly fitted brushes. In the case of manual toothbrushes, the oral cavity should be cleaned particularly carefully. A sonic toothbrush will facilitate thorough brushing, but you should also not forget to floss your teeth. Additionally, it is recommended to use antiseptic lotions. It is also worth stocking up on dental irrigator, which facilitates the hygiene of hard-to-reach places. Special indications appear immediately after the implant insertion and during the healing period.

Dental implants and complications

In order to avoid serious side effects before getting dental implants it is essential exclusion of any contraindications to the procedure. Despite this, it happens that a patient with an implanted implant develops complications. To avoid this, it is worth reaching for the Gum Healing Spray after tooth extraction, implant placement and periodontitis Dentomit.

Pain, hypersensitivity, swelling and a bluish blue skin around the implant are typical complaints after the procedure. For this reason, medical recommendations include taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, performing cold compresses and limiting activity, especially physical activity. Disturbing reactions of the body that require medical consultation include fever, bleeding, inflammation, general malaise and swollen lymph nodes.

Dental implantation procedures have a very high chance of success. A screw implanted in the place after the tooth root has a chance of adoption at the level of 98-99 percent. Dental implant rejection it is therefore a rare phenomenon that your doctor will detect on a follow-up X-ray and based on symptoms that indicate inflammation. In such a situation, an antibiotic and removal of the implant may be necessary, and after some time the procedure may be repeated.

Disturbed bone healing can lead to problems with implant integration. Such situations are favored by smoking, high levels of stress, lowered immunity, diabetes and osteoporosis.

Another complication after tooth implantation is periimplantitis, i.e. progressive inflammation of the tissues surrounding the implant. This phenomenon causes a gradual loss of bone tissue and the formation of gingival pockets. As a result, it can contribute to the loosening of the implant, as well as its loss.