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IMPLANT
What
is an implant ?
An
implant is a titanium screw which replaces
the root of an absent tooth. Once inserted
a period of time must elapse (several months,
but it may vary in each case) which is known
as integration which will permit the anchoring
of the implant in the bone to “support”
the new tooth. Dental implants can serve
for one sole tooth or for several teeth.
Dental implants are a treatment with a long
clinical history and a more than proven
effectiveness. Dental implants reduce discomfort
and preserve facial structure. |
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What are the advantages of an implant compared
to conventional treatments ?
Above
all they protect your natural teeth which with
traditional techniques must be filed down in order
to insert a bridge. Dental implants do not require
the neighbouring teeth to be modified (even if
healthy). A decidedly better aesthetic result
is also achieved.
A tooth attached to an implant is practically
the same as a natural tooth, properly attached
to the bone. This avoids irritation of the gums
and all the usual discomfort associated with ill-fitting
partial or total removable prostheses.
A
dental implant also improves speech as when a
prosthesis has mobility, the muscles try to keep
it in place when chewing, and this can provoke
poor articulation when speaking and incorrect
pronunciation. A fixed prosthesis with implants
enables natural and confident speech.
They
improve aesthetics because when a tooth is lost,
the bones of the face lose volume giving an aged
appearance. Dental implants avoid this aged appearance
because they look aesthetically like natural teeth.
They
provide greater comfort avoiding all the discomforts
of partial or total removable prostheses, which
in resting on the bone and gums produce an alteration
and reduction in the bone and provoke the instability
of same.
They
facilitate chewing and consequently enable you
to eat better. It has been proven that patients
with false dentures eat one fifth as effectively
as people with natural teeth. Dental implants
provide practically the same “service”
as natural teeth, also avoiding the reduction
in bone and chewing inefficiency of partial or
total prostheses.
They
improve buccal hygiene as a partial or removable
prosthesis favours the accumulation of food residue
with the consequences this brings.
Is implant treatment uncomfortable ?
Nowadays
with the new surgical techniques we can state
that the discomfort is minimal and if we also
bear in mind the advantages, it is more than compensated
for. The insertion of the implant is done under
local anaesthetic and the after care is practically
minimal for the majority of patients.
What
is the duration of an implant treatment ?
Normally
a complete implant procedure could last between
4 and 9 months (in some specific cases a little
more may be required for good osseointegration).
The insertion of an implant is carried out in
two phases: in the first the implant is inserted
into the jaw bone and then a period of between
3 and 6 months must pass to ensure the implant
is fully integrated with the bone and that the
growth of the surrounding bone permits robust
attachment. In the second phase a small gingival
incision is made and a pillar called a “cicatrisation
post” is attached to the implant, the gingival
tissue will cicatrise around this over a period
of 2 or 3 weeks. Lastly, the pillar which will
support the definitive prosthesis can now be inserted.
What
is the success rate of implant treatments ?
The success rate of an implant treatment is above
95%, this figure is supported by a number of studies.
Can
everyone undergo an implant treatment ?
Yes,
of course! The only requisite (if we can call
it that) is to have sufficient bone in which to
insert the implant. Although even in this case
there are solutions for increasing bone density
in order to “receive” an implant.
Neither is age a factor which influences the ability
to undergo implant treatment. Obviously, the health
of the patient bears an influence on the possibility
of inserting an implant as some chronic diseases
may contraindicate implant treatment. In these
cases, a careful evaluation by the dentist is
essential in order to decide which treatment is
the most suitable.
What
does non-invasive surgery or surgery without stitches
mean ?
Non-invasive
surgery or surgery without stitches basically
consists in the insertion of an implant without
needing to open or make incisions in the gum or
insert stitches to either close up the gum or
obviously remove them afterwards. After a local
anaesthetic of the kind received for any other
dental treatment, one or more openings are created
in the bone which are then gradually widened until
one or more implants can be inserted which will
remain closed within the bone until the moment
of attaching the teeth that are to be placed upon
them (See
clinical case).
Implant
insertion sequence::
Phase
1
| Installation
of the fixtures.
The implant is inserted into the bone.
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Phase
2
Period
of cicatrisation and osseointegration
(a provisional prosthesis may be inserted
in the meantime) |
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Phase
3
Phase
4
Prosthetic
phase (proceeding with the attachment of
the teeth) |
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 Return
to patient information
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Celdas
