WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT?

A dental implant is the best solution for the replacement of a lost tooth in order to restore its functionality completely without affecting the adjacent teeth. The dental implant replaces the root of a lost tooth. It is made from a particularly durable, light material which is biologically compatible with the osseous tissue (titanium, zirconium or titanium-zirconium alloy or titanium alloy with other metals) and which looks like a screw. When the missing tooth is being restored, an implant is inserted surgically in the osseous tissue of the upper or lower jaw respectively and an artificial dental crown is fixed on it.

The first dental implant was placed in a human being in 1967. Nowadays every year in the world more than 10 million dental implants are placed.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO RECOVER THE LOST TOOTH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE?

UPON LOSING ONE TOOTH OR SEVERAL TEETH, CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO RESTORE THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IF THE TREATMENT IS POSTPONED, THE BODY WILL INEVITABLY UNDERGO UNFAVOURABLE CHANGES.

The adjacent teeth will start inclining towards the lost tooth in order to fill in the free space. The teeth will form ugly gaps which are certainly going to affect the beauty of your smile, make brushing teeth difficult and cause discomfort. The teeth move towards the free space, exposing the roots of the adjacent teeth, which considerably worsens the condition of the embracing gums and poses the risk of periodontitis.

While lacking the accustomed load, the jaw bone atrophies in the place of the missing tooth (its size diminishes). Upon losing a tooth, the shape of the face can change, wrinkles and creases can appear: a person starts looking older than their biological age.

Indications for Dental Implantation

The procedure is indicated for people who have lost one tooth or several teeth due to trauma, disease or age related changes. Prior to the procedure, the physician aggregates the medical history in order to identify the co-morbidity and prevent restrictions.

The placement of implants is performed for people after they have become 18 years old.

Dental Implantation Stages

Diagnostics

During a consultation the physician performs diagnostics, which includes 3D X-ray examination and professional check-up of the oral cavity, evaluates the condition and excludes contra-indications. On the basis of the examination results, the amount of work, the dental implantation protocol and type of the implant are determined, the treatment plan (stages, time and costs) is coordinated with the patient and the date of the dental implantation performance is set.

One of the most significant advantages of our dentistry clinic is the use of the cutting edge implant planning and placement techniques. Our advanced digital technologies will determine the required implant position most accurately and precisely. In our laboratory an implantation surgical guide or a positioning cap will be printed from a 3D printer. The surgical guide is a template – an individually made cap with openings through which the implants will be inserted during the operation. This cap is firmly fixed on the jaw, which enables to minimize the occurrence of errors and prevent “human factor” at the stage of implant positioning. Therefore we guarantee precise and qualitative placement of dental implants.

Dental Implantation

The procedure requires complex preparation and a high qualification of the dentists/ dental implantologists.

The manipulations at the surgical stage will depend on the selected implant insertion technique. We use several advanced teeth implantation techniques. Each of them has its pros and cons and they are selected individually taking into account the peculiarities of the teeth and jaw system.

Classical Dental Implantation

Two-stage dental implantation with suspended load. In 2-6 months after the implantation gum former (abutment) is placed. After the settlement, a temporary crown is placed but afterwards also the permanent dental crown. This method is appropriate for the most part of people and it rarely causes rejection. The only disadvantage is the length of the process.

One Stage Dental Implantation

One-stage with immediate load. The implant and temporary crown are placed within one day allowing for fast restoration of dental aesthetics. However, the methodology cannot be used if there is a deficit of the osseous tissue – it poses a high risk of rejection and implant stability loss. Likewise this technique is not appropriate for the restoration of the molars.

Momentous Dental Implantation

Within one procedure the physician extracts the damaged tooth and immediately places an implant and a crown instead and, if there are indications, performs bone plastics. This type is regarded as soothing but it is not appropriate for patients with the gum issues.

ALL on 4 Dental Implantation

All on 4 dental implantation is a patented dental prosthetics technique, which allows for an efficient solution in case of a complete loss of the teeth. The technique envisages for the placement of four implants which serve as the basis for a denture – both removable and fixed. The implantation of all four implants includes immediate jaw loading and completely restores the chewing function. All on 4 dental implantation is suitable for everyone who wishes to perform total teeth reconstruction and solve the aesthetic problem “here and now”.

During the procedure four implants (artificial roots) are implanted in the jaw. Two of them are placed vertically in the front; other two are inserted in the side parts at a definite angle. In some cases, the dental implantation is combined with the sinus lift (the increase of the bone amount of the upper jaw reducing the size of the upper jaw cavity).

The dental prosthetics on 4 implants is performed within 1-3 days and right after the dental implantation the load upon the jaw is permissible. It promotes fast restoration of the chewing function.

All on 6 Dental Implantation

A denture with several teeth is attached to the jaw on 6 implants, which ensures maximum structure stability and its settlement indicator is within the range of 99%. This type of dental implantation includes the fixation of the following dentures on implants, which have been previously inserted in the osseous tissue.

Four titanium implants are easily implantable in the front part of the jaw and two additional ones are inserted in the side parts at an angle in order to stabilise the structure in the chewing area. The dental implantation with 6 implants has the following advantages:

• Even load distribution on all teeth for easy use of the construction and high reliability
• Implant settlement indicator up to 99% due to the use of a plug with special coating
• Aesthetic patients’ smile, which is close to natural
• Dental implantation without osteoplastics in case of the atrophy of the osseous tissue of the jaw of any degree
• Low risk of trauma and bleeding
• Minimum complication risk

All on 6 dental implantation is recognised as one of the best methods for fast restoration of the lost teeth.

Osseous Tissue Infilling

Due to the osseous tissue infilling or osteoplastics, it is possible to prevent the development of atrophic processes in the area of the jaw bones. This procedure is intended for the increase of the amount of the porous osseous tissue in order to fix the implants therein more securely.

The main osteoplastics indications may include:

• Trauma due to tooth extraction (part of the bone is removed)
• Bone atrophy in the place of the lost tooth
• Inflammation, osteomyelitis
• New formations or tumours
• Previously rejected inserted implant

Sinus Lifting Operation

This widely-used dentistry procedure advances for successful dental implantation even in the most complicated cases when the amount of the osseous tissue in the upper jaw is insufficient. This procedure allows for the preparation of bone “basis”, which is required for secure fixation of implants.

Sinus raising (lifting) is a surgical procedure, which includes infilling of the osseous tissue in the lateral teeth area of the upper jaw. This manipulation is performed in cases when the patient needs dental implantation but he/she misses the molars (the large teeth starting from the fourth) and therefore he/she lacks the osseous tissue for the insertion of implants.

Depending on the situation and the degree of the osseous tissue atrophy, two methods for the performance of this operation are available:

• Open sinus lifting
• Closed sinus lifting

The task of both the first and the second method is to lift the back part of the upper jaw sinus and fill in the emerged gap with a bone material which will promote the formation of the personal osseous tissue.

Open Sinus Lifting

It is a classical method which is used by the dentists most frequently. The entire open sinus lifting operation takes place with local anaesthesia after which incision is made in the gum of the lateral part of the upper jaw, it is moved aside in the sinus area and entrance opening is created in the bone. Then through this opening the physician reaches the mucous membrane which embraces the inside of the sinus, it is also named the Schneiderian membrane. Afterwards, by using special surgical instruments the dentist, carefully in order not to touch this membrane, lifts the mucous membrane of the sinus and inserts the bone material therein. When the procedure is over, the wound is sutured and it takes approximately 4-6 months until the complete formation of the osseous tissue when the implant can be placed. In numerous situations the open sinus lifting is the only method for the increase of the osseous tissue in the upper jaw.

Closed Sinus Lifting

The closed sinus lifting technique is less traumatic because it does not require that special incisions are made in the gums. During this operation all manipulations are done through the opening that is provided for the dental implant placement. By using special surgical instruments, the physician lifts the Schneiderian membrane, creates an airbag inside that prevents fissures and afterwards fills in the acquired space with the bone material.

The undoubted advantage of the close sinus lifting is the possibility of placing the implant on the same day right after the infilling operation if the initial bone amount had been 3-4 mm. Furthermore, unlike the open sinus lifting the closed sinus lifting does not practically leave hematomas or swelling and in general the recovery process is much easier and faster.

Contra-indications for dental implantation

Absolute contra-indications include:

• Blood clotting pathologies
• Oncological diseases
• Alcohol and drug addiction
• Autoimmune diseases
• Systemic connective tissue diseases (scleroderma, dermatosis etc.)

In case of the following relative contra-indications, the operation is suspended:

• Pregnancy, breast-feeding
• Age under 18 years
• Poor oral hygiene
• Occlusion pathology
• Atrophy of the osseous tissue of the alveolar bone
• Long-lasting stress, exhaustion, etc.

REGULAR CARE FOR IMPLANTS

Like the human teeth dental implants need regular care and visiting the clinic for professional oral hygiene twice a year!

Talk through the dental implantation possibilities with our professionals. We will find the optimum methodology and implants which will completely satisfy you in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Do not hesitate to call us or book an appointment online and we will be happy to answer all your questions.