Implantology

Even the lack of single tooth, in particular in the frontal segment of the dental arch, is a significant problem of aesthetic, functional (masticatory function), psyhological (uncertainty, lack of self-confidence) and even social nature (a beatiful complete smile is an advantage in both private and professional life).

For over 30 years IMPLANTS have provided an excellent solution to all these problems, as they:

restore a consistently beautiful smile to the patient;

enable the permanent restoration of missing teeth;

provide the patient with full physicial and mental comfort;

provide an excellent aesthetic effect and natural apperance of the teeth;

allow problems associated with traditional prosthetic restoration (removal of the prosthesis, tooth grinding) to be avoided.

The implants used today are small titanium-made screws placed surgically in the jaw bones; they replace root of the missing tooth and provide support for the new tooth crown.

PRE-IMPLANTATION SURGERY

This include procedures preparing bone for the implant placement, e.g. in the case of lack of sufficient amount of bone tissue (bone augmentation) or lack of space for the implant (raising of the bottom of the maxillary sinus). Special materials stimulating and promoting formation of the bone tissue (e.g. Bio-oss(R) or Bio-guide) are used to provide a sufficient base for the implant. Such material acts as a certain kind of matrix on which bone tissue may grow and fill an existing defect. If the placing implants in the upper jaw (maxilla) in the area of premolar and molar teeth is required and maxillary sinus is a low position, the procedure of raising of the bottom of the maxillary sinus is performed.

IMPLANT PLACEMENT - SURGICAL PORTION

Implant placement is a very subtle and precise procedure performed under local anaesthesia, consisting of putting the implant in an appropriate position in the bone. The the healing (osteointegration) period begins, during which permanent fixation between the surface of the titanium implant and bone is being created. Usually the process lasts 3-6 months or less, if the oral environment promotes the implant-bone integration. Then the prosthetic portion of the treatment may be commenced.

PROCEDURE OF SCREWING DENTAL IMPLANTS INTO A JAW

    First, a comprehensive treatment is prepared on the basis of the examination records, patient's expectations and bone measurements.

   The treatment procedure consists in drilling holes in bone tissue, in precisely specified point, where dental implants are subsequently screwed into a jawbone and covered with the gum tissue in order to speed up the healing. Depending on the number of implants, the procedure takes from half an hour to two hours. Screwing one or several dental implants into a well-formed bone is a painless outpatient procedure, being performed under stardard local anaesthesia. The healing period lasts from two to six months. During that period the patient can use a traditional prosthesis safely.

   After the healing period the clinician uncovers upper part of the implant in order to insert a cover screw lengthening the implant up to the gum edge for about two weeks. This is the most expected moment, as the mucous tissue is then healed and natural gum contouring achieved. Subsequent visits will result in the desired effect of a beautiful smile. The clinician will make dental impressions, and the prosthetic technician will prepare a tooth crown, a bridge or a prosthesis with fasteners that will be fastened to implants fused with bone by the dentist.

IMPLANT-BASED RESTORATIONS - PROSTHETIC PORTION

Recent progress in implantation technology has created completely new and diverse options for prothetic treatment. Prosthetic management depends on the number of missing teeth and type of the planned restoration, such as:

prosthetic crowns;

bridges replacing partial lack of dentition;

bridges replacing complete lack of dentition;

overdenture prosthesis.

COURSE OF TREATMENT

The first visit is designed for detailed diagnostic examination including:

taking the medical history to provide information on the patient's needs and expectations, and general health condition (with particular attention to diseases of the heart, lungs, liver and thyroid, possible diabetes, osteoporosis or coagulation disorders). Also information on the patient's oral hygienic practices is important, as perfect oral hygiene contributes to the success of the treatment;

clinical examination, an essential part of the diagnostic process, which involves in particular a thorough examination of the site of the planned implant, and an assessment of:

soft tissues, i.e. status of the mucous membrane (thickness, colour, mobility);

dentition (caries, mobility);

periodontium (bleeding, gingival pouches);

status of occlusion (bite);

toothless areas (width, height of alveolar processes);

oral hygiene (dental plaque, tartar and deposit);

additional examinations: usually x-ray techniques are used (mostly a panoramic x-ray), which allow the assement of the amount and condition of the bone to be support for the planned implant (the base for the treatment plan), the condition of the teeth adjacent to the missing one, ass well as the size ond position of anatomical structures that may hinder the procedure (bottom of the maxillary sinus, nasal cavity, nerve canals);

computer tomography (CT), which is used mostly for extensive procedures or if the amount of bone is very small and the highest precision is necessary;

RVG (Radiovisiography).

The dentist having collected and considered the necessary data, provides the patient with information on the treatment options available. At this time the patient should be provided with the treatment plan, his or her possible doubts should be resolved, and decision an the treatment should be taken.

FAQ

1. Who may be given implants?
2. Is the implant placement painful?
3. Can implants replace natural teeth completely?
4. What complications may occur after the procedure?
5. What is the durability of the implant?
6. Is oral hygiene important?
7. How smoking may affect implant treatment?

1. Who may be given implants?

In general implants may be implanted in all adults of good general health and who have a sufficient amount and quality of bone in the site of the planned implant:

adults - a prerequisite for such treatment is the completion of the development and complete formation of jaw bones;

generally healthy individuals - the general health condition is a significant importance, since past or current systematic diseases, such as unstable diabetes, tumors, blood disorders, osteoporosis, etc. negatively effect the osteointegration (implant fixation) process and wound healing;

individuals with a sufficient amount and quality bone - regular healthy bone tissue provides the base for the implant; thus, the success of the treatment depends on this to a significant extent. Atrophy of the alveolar process and insufficient space for the implant are significant problems, but not impossible to resolve; the most recent methods of pre-implantation surgery are helpful in such cases.

2. Is the implant placement painful?

The implant placement is performed under local anaesthesia; thus it is painless. On the other hand, due to the delicasy od precision of the sugical technique, the discomfort of this procedure is similar to that associated with tooth extraction.

3. Can implants replace natural teeth completely?

Implants-based restoration provides excellent aesthetic effects and efficiently restores the masticatory function. Note that implant-based restoration os definitely the optional solution, as only it may ensure a permanent effect of the treatment and comfort of use, and only it is able to replace the natural dentition completely.

4. What complications may occur after the procedure?

Usually, under favourable condition of both general health and oral cavity, the appropriately performed procedure poses no risk to the patient. Commonly after the implantation procedure a slight transient pain and swelling of the soft tissue may occur. Patients take an antibiotic for a few days after the procedure to prevent more serious complications.

5. What is the durability of the implant?

The implant itself is indestructible; however, as it is implanted in the living body, foreign body reaction depends to some extent on the condition of the body. If after the implantation, some general factors, such as diseases or addictions occur, they may affect the result of the treatment. On the other hand, the prosthetic portion, which is usually covered by the guarantee, may wear, which requires periodical replacement of certain elements (e.g. the porcelain parts).

6. Is oral hygiene important?

Oral hygiene is of the grates importance for the success of the implantation treatment. The patient's duty is to maintain exemplary oral hygiene to allow the implants to perform their role for a long time, Such task requires self-discipline and strick co-operation with the dentist, which begins just after the procedure - the patient is not allowed to eat anything for two hours and is recommended to avoid hot meals for the whole day. Smoking shoul be avoided for at least 48 hours after the procedure and it is important that meals promoting the build-up of dental plaque should also be avoided. As any debris accumulating around the implant may lead to infection and, in extreme cases, to rejection of the implant. The patient should start gentle tooth brushing as soon as possible. Using a disinfecting mouthwash 2-3 times a day would improve oral care.

This is just the beginning; it is of great importance that such regular oral hygiene be maintained for the whole period of the implant-based restoration. The regular application of professional tooth cleaning, usually during the check-up, is also recommended.

7. How smoking may affect implant treatment?

Smoking compromises the tissues' regeneration capabilities, and thus significantly reduces the chance for acceptance and long-term maintenance of the implant; in fact, it may cause a four-fold increase in the risk of implant rejection. Smoking also contributes to the build-up of deposits on teeth and prosthetic restoration, which are more difficult to remove.

Dodaj do:

« Back