Implant treatment currently allows the aesthetic and functional replacement of any lost tooth. The implant placement possibilities are endless and can be tailored to the needs of each patient.
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In recent years, implant treatment technology has advanced at a great pace. As a result, some information has become obsolete and new questions have arisen about this type of procedure in the dental practice.
Do you want to know what an dental implant is and how to place it correctly? In this guide, we take a closer look at the process to find out what care the mouth needs for a full and speedy recovery.
What Is Implant Treatment?
Implant treatment is an artificial root, usually made of titanium, that is placed in the alveolar bone to replace one or more missing teeth. It is placed inside the jawbone. Due to its biocompatibility, the bone attaches itself securely to this dental implant, which provides very good stability for fixing a dental prosthesis.
The implant makes it possible to replace a missing tooth in a very aesthetic way and with a very comfortable result, because the tooth is fixed and independent of its neighbors like a natural tooth. The dental implant can also be used to attach other dental prostheses: crowns, bridges, dentures.
A fixed dental prosthesis (usually a ceramic crown) will rest on this artificial root. This technique is not new, but it is becoming more and more popular.
When Is Implant Treatment Needed?
Placement of a dental implant is not mandatory or systematic, patients can live with the absence of a tooth. However, for aesthetic reasons as well as for comfort, it is preferable to have a dental implant if you lose a tooth (infection, accident, etc.).
Most people who have lost one or more teeth do not dare to smile. In addition, the gap left by the missing tooth can sometimes be seen even when the patient keeps his mouth closed. This can cause anxiety and low self-esteem.
On a practical level, it’s worth noting that each tooth is useful for chewing and speaking, so placing a dental implant can help maintain comfort during meals and/or arguments.
Finally, you should know that not every missing tooth needs to be replaced with a dental implant. A dental bridge can be an interesting solution when several teeth are extracted or lost. For example, two implants can support a three-tooth bridge.
Who Gets Implant Treatment?
- Patients affected by periodontal disease affecting the bones and gums. When it progresses, the tooth no longer sits on the bone. This is commonly known as loosening of the teeth
- People who have suffered tooth fractures due to trauma
- People with large dental cysts that damage the root of the tooth
- Elderly people who wear dentures but have trouble adjusting to it.
What Are The Contraindications?
The main condition is to have a bone in good condition. Some techniques can compensate for the lack of bone (shorter but wider implant, bone graft, sinus filling, etc.). Finally, several factors may contraindicate and cause implant failure:
- Heart and valve disease
- Chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy
- Kidney failure
- To smoke
- Hypertension
- Some allergies
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Insufficient quantity or quality of bone
It is very important to inform your dentist about ongoing antiplatelet therapy or osteoporosis treated with bisphosphonates, as these weaken the jaws.
Smoking is also the enemy of implants. If you smoke heavily, the dentist may refuse to place an implant. Smoking alters the healing process and significantly increases the risk of implants failing to integrate into the bone.
It is therefore very important to quit smoking before starting any dental treatment based on implants. On the other hand, even advanced age does not prevent implant placement.
How Is An Dental Implant Placed?
The way the implant is placed depends on the case, the type of implant and the tooth to be replaced. Some implants require two or three sessions and can only be crowned after a few months of healing. Others are implanted in a single session and a temporary crown is placed immediately after.
The consultation begins with a complete medical questionnaire to identify any risks or contraindications for dental implant placement.
After the clinical examination, implant placement is usually performed in three stages:
- The practitioner makes an incision in the gum and prepares an indentation in the bone to place the implant (artificial root in titanium). It seals the gums and allows the bone to heal. This waiting phase, called ‘feeding’, aims to allow the bone to heal around the implant: this is osseointegration. Then the patient waits;
- After a period of six weeks to six months, depending on the case, the practitioner places a titanium abutment to attach the implant to the temporary prosthesis;
- Finally, the implant is screwed into a titanium frame on which a ceramic crown will be placed.
Placement Procedure Of Dental Implant
Implant placement varies according to their complexity. This clearly affects the duration of the operation, which will vary according to the number of implants to be placed, their location, and the condition of the bone.
To place the implant(s), the dentist works in a private room in an operating room or practice. Anesthetizes the gum and makes an incision. The dentist then digs the implant socket with a burr and places it inside before suturing the wound.
The patient should then wait for the implant to heal before returning to the dentist, which can take two to four months. During this time, the bone heals around the implant: this is called osseointegration. When this stage is reached, the tooth can be attached to the implant.
Adapting To a Dental Implant
As with dental veneers, good oral hygiene is essential for the success of the implant.
Also, regular visits to the dentist are important to keep your implant (and natural teeth!) healthy. Your dentist may recommend using an interdental brush and mouthwash to prevent the risk of gingivitis.
What Is The Price Of A Dental Implant Treatment?
The price depends on many factors: the price of the prosthesis (cost of the prosthesis, difficulty in performing, materials…), all technical platform used by the dental surgeon, costs and fees associated with the cabinet, staff…
Before making any decisions, be sure to ask for the estimated price of your dental care, which will indicate the final price you will pay.
What Are The Advantages Of Implant Treatment?
- The jawbone tends to resorb when a tooth is removed and not replaced. This condition often leads to complications in other teeth; for example, teeth may collapse or fall out. In addition to the aesthetic benefit, the implant will stimulate the bone and prevent its deterioration. With the replacement of the missing tooth, the face appears less pitted and younger.
- If you request all-ceramic crowns, the implant will recreate the transparency and color of your natural teeth. When the healing process is complete, the implant takes on the role of natural roots and becomes completely painless. Patients quickly forget that they have an implant instead of a real root.
- Unlike the use of a dental bridge (which relies on neighboring teeth, sometimes making them weaker and vulnerable to bacteria), the placement of an implant is autonomous and has no effect on neighboring teeth.
What Are the Risks and Possible Complications?
Sometimes it is necessary to use a bone graft when the jawbone does not appear deep enough to receive the implant. Indeed, when a tooth is extracted, the bone tends to lose volume over time. It may also be destroyed by tooth extraction and be difficult to rebuild.
Another procedure is to fill the gap with synthetic biomaterials when only a small bone is missing.
It is possible to remove bone from the patient’s skull or hip, requiring hospitalization and general anesthesia.
The bone is then fixed with screws that are removed when the dental implant treatment is placed. This process makes the surgery more laborious and prolongs the time required. The risk of implant failure also increases.
Is There Pain During Implant Treatment?
No. An effective local anesthesia is applied before the procedure, so that there is no discomfort during the placement of dental implants. Any mild discomfort after the procedure can be managed with prescribed pain medication.
In Which Cases Can Implants Be Made?
Implants can be used in a variety of medical and cosmetic applications, including:
- dental implant : used to replace missing teeth or to support dentures.
- Orthopedic implants: used to replace or repair joints, bones, or other parts of the skeletal system.
- Breast implants: used for cosmetic breast augmentation or reconstruction after mastectomy.
- Cardiac implants: used to treat heart conditions, such as pacemakers or defibrillators.
- Cochlear implants: used to restore hearing in people with severe hearing loss.
- Ocular implants: used to correct vision problems, such as intraocular lenses to replace the natural lens in the eye.
- Neural implants: used to treat neurological conditions, such as deep brain stimulators for Parkinson’s disease.
- Penile dental implants: used to treat erectile dysfunction.
- Facial implants: used to enhance the appearance of the face, such as cheek or chin implants.
It’s important to note that implant treatment are not suitable for everyone and the suitability of an implant treatment depends on the individual’s medical history and overall health. A thorough evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional is necessary before undergoing any implant procedure.
What Are Our Treatment Goals?
The implant treatment goals for a particular medical condition or procedure will depend on the specific condition and the individual patient’s needs and preferences. However, in general, the following are some common treatment goals:
- Relief of symptoms: The primary goal of treatment is to alleviate or reduce the symptoms of a particular condition, such as pain, discomfort, or difficulty with daily activities.
- Cure or remission: In some cases, the goal of treatment is to cure the underlying condition or bring it into remission, so that it no longer causes symptoms or problems.
- Improved quality of life: Many treatments aim to improve a patient’s quality of life by reducing the impact of a condition on their daily activities, relationships, or overall well-being.
- Prevention of complications: implant Treatment may also aim to prevent or reduce the risk of complications associated with a particular condition.
- Maintenance of function: For some conditions, treatment may focus on maintaining or restoring normal function, such as joint mobility or heart function.
- Aesthetics: In some cosmetic procedures, the goal may be to improve a person’s appearance, such as with cosmetic dentistry or plastic surgery.
It’s important to note that each patient is unique and the treatment goals for one person may not be the same for another. The healthcare professional and the patient should work together to determine the most appropriate treatment goals based on the individual’s specific needs and circumstances.
