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Each of us dreams of a beautiful, well-groomed smile. Unfortunately, not everyone has naturally white and healthy teeth. In some cases, the emerging diseases lead to caries, which in turn causes tooth loss. Dental implants are a proven way to restore a beautiful smile. Find out what their types are, and learn about the contraindications for their insertion.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a structure that allows you to recreate a lost tooth. The implant itself is the basis of this construction because it is a screw implanted in the place where the tooth root was previously located. A prosthetic crown is mounted on the implant, matching the color of the rest of the dentition.
Modern dentistry allows for use of implants and crowns made of various materials. Choosing the right one depends on the dentist who is guided by his experience and taking into account the patient’s expectations. The anatomical structure of the bones, the structure of the teeth, the financial capacity of the person ordering the implants and the requirements for the aesthetics of the implants are important.
When are dental implants used?
Dental implants, or too dental implants, are used in people who have lost their natural teeth. They can be used in the event of the loss of one tooth, but also to rebuild most of the bite. In the latter case, several dental implants are usually fixed, which will be the basis for a prosthesis using connecting structures, i.e. bridges. Usually two or four implants are required to put in a complete upper or lower denture.
Circumstances that may lead to tooth loss or the need for implants include:
- tooth decay due to caries and the need to remove them;
- untreated periodontitis;
- unformed tooth buds;
- complete lack of dentition.
In the case of partial damage to the dental tissues, it is possible to rebuild the tooth, which is a less invasive procedure.
Dental implants – types
There are different types of dental implants. However, the type is always chosen by the doctor, and the choice is preceded by a consultation. One of the known types of implants are those made of titanium. Titanium guarantees a long service life, but this type also has its opponents. It is said that titanium implants they are unsightly. Occasionally, the gumline becomes drooped and the titanium part becomes visible.
An alternative to titanium implants are zirconium implants. They are considered the most aesthetic method because this substance resembles the natural tooth tissue and is more resistant to abrasion. Its great advantage is that this type of material perfectly binds to bone tissue. Zirconium implants do not respond to temperature changes. Additionally, they are resistant to acid substances. They do not change the taste of the food consumed, they are safe and do not interact with dental materials.
The method of implanting zirconium dental implants is single-phase. The patient leaves the office with a temporary crown or a temporary prosthetic crown. Another advantage is that these types of implants can be used by anyone. They are not affected by any chronic diseases, allergies or other ailments. The color of zirconium implants is very close to the natural color of the teeth. This is why this method is so popular.
Dental implants – single-phase and two-phase
It is also worth mentioning the division of implants into two-phase and single-phase. The assembly of classic implants is divided into two phases. First, a screw is placed to replace the root in the bone and wait for the implant to fuse with the surrounding tissues (osseointegration). The second step is to fix the prosthetic crown on the implant.
In the case of single-phase implants the procedure is faster and enables the installation of the implant with the superstructure in one visit. However, it is not possible for everyone to perform this procedure, because the oral cavity must be in good condition and no bone defects are present.
Dental implants – contraindications
There are many contraindications to dental implants. Pregnancy and unstable diabetes are an absolute contraindication. Diabetes makes wound healing ineffective. Therefore, inserting an implant may turn out to be troublesome. Dental implants must also not be used in people who suffer from cancer. One of the most important contraindications is the incomplete jaw bone growth process. The jaw bones develop until the age of 16–17.
There are also a number of contraindications that are not absolute, but require consultation with a specialist. These include mental illness, bone marrow disorders, heart defects, and Parkinson’s disease.
Another group of contraindications are local contraindications. Most often these are features of the jaw, which include, among other things, too small height or width. It may also happen that the patient does not have enough space to make a crown. Contraindications are also diseases, injuries and inflammation of the mucous membranes in the place where the implant is planned.
Before inserting an implant, it is always necessary to conduct a series of tests. This is usually X-ray and computed tomography. The doctor assesses the quality and quantity of bones as well as the condition of adjacent teeth. The size of the paranasal and maxillary sinuses is also important.
Preparation for placing dental implants
The implant placement procedure is different depending on whether we are dealing with single-phase or two-phase implants. Also, the very procedure of planning the next stages of the procedure depends on the specific case. At the very beginning, the patient comes for an initial consultation, during which a medical interview is carried out, contraindications are discussed, an impression is taken and tests are ordered.
Before placing dental implants, it is recommended to perform morphological tests, including blood count with a smear, determination of ESR, glucose concentration, electrolytes and determination of blood clotting time. On the basis of appropriate tests, the doctor makes sure that they are properly carried out in the body healing processes after implantation. A clinical examination is also important, during which the general condition of the oral cavity and dentition is assessed, with particular emphasis on carious lesions, gums and oral mucosa diseases.
The procedure itself can be planned based on appropriate bite imaging studies. The basis can be a pantomogram (X-ray panorama), but a more detailed view is provided by computed tomography of the maxilla and mandible. Only the proper diagnosis of the general condition of bones, maxillary sinuses or the course of nerves allows for the development of a safe and most effective treatment plan.
Placing dental implants – course
The duration of the procedure of placing one dental implant takes an average of 20–40 minutes. At the beginning, the patient receives protective clothing and sits in the treatment chair. After disinfection, the doctor gives local anesthesia, similar to the one used during tooth extraction. In some cases, it is possible to perform the implantation under anesthesia. When the anesthesia starts working, the gum is incised and the space is prepared for the screw insertion. A screw is inserted into the implant bed prepared in such a way and then sutures are placed. You should go to their photo as instructed by your doctor after more than a week.
After inserting the implant, the body needs time to regenerate. Healing time after insertion of the dental implant it can last from several weeks to several months. It may take from three weeks to three months for the implant to fuse with the bone tissue of the mandible. In the case of surgery within the jaw, the healing process may take longer, up to six months.
Recommendations after implant placement
After the dental implant surgery, you should follow a few recommendations that will reduce possible ailments and speed up healing. Immediately after performing the procedure, you should refrain from eating for several hours. When the anesthesia stops working and we regain feeling, we can eat something light and semi-fluid. It is better to avoid hot meals for a few days. It is also recommended to perform cold compresses two or three hours after the procedure.
The course of the implant fusion with tissues is monitored on the basis of an imaging examination.
Implantation of a dental implant may be associated with swelling and pain. In such a situation, it is recommended to use painkillers. Careful but gentle oral hygiene is essential. During the first week, it is important to use antibacterial rinses and very carefully brush the suture area.
For everyday care, we recommend, for example, Dentomit healing spray for gums after tooth extraction, implant placement and periodontitis, available at a promotional price on the Medonet Market.
Precautions after inserting a dental implant also include avoiding alcohol and smoking for the first two days. We should also refrain from physical activity for two weeks, give up the swimming pool, sauna and solarium. Even up to six weeks after implantation of the screw, you must not touch the implant site with your fingers or irritate it unnecessarily with the tongue, as well as observe the rules of hygiene and attend check-ups. In order to support healing and prevent complications, it is worth using special disinfectants, eg. A healing concentrate for the preparation of the SeptOral Med mouthwash available at a promotional price on Medonet Market.
Dental implants – complications
Dental implants can cause some complications. Everyone the implant is a foreign body and there is a risk of rejection in any case. Reasons for rejection can vary widely, and patient preparation plays a key role. If implantation is performed correctly, the risk of rejection is reduced. The most common unpleasant effect of the procedure is discomfort, sometimes bruising and swelling of the tissues. Pain and swelling are also common.
Patients after implantation of a dental implant are recommended painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, there are symptoms that should worry the patient. It is certainly a fever, weakness, sore throat. Sometimes the pain in the neighboring teeth also causes anxiety. There may also be enlarged lymph nodes and difficulty eating and drinking. If disturbing symptoms occur, visit a dentist as soon as possible, who will carefully examine the implant.