Dental implants are special artificial structures usually made of titanium. Other materials include zirconia. Each implant looks like the root of a tooth and it is placed inside the jawbones. These fixed structures are the best way to replace a missing tooth. Most patients are allegeable for this surgical procedure. It depends on the bone structure and several other factors that dentists review. The implants stay fixed in the mouth and are provide ideal aesthetics. Aside from that, they restore many other vital functions such as chewing, swallowing and the facial features. It is a simple procedure that is usually carried out in two visits. Thanks to the advancements in technology it becomes more modern every day. In order for you to get implants, you have to have healthy gums, great oral hygiene, and adequate bone structure. For the patients that don’t have the proper bone structure, there is a special procedure named bone graft. There are several types of implants available on the market. During the first visit, the dentist usually places the titanium post inside the jawbone with a surgical procedure. After that, there is a waiting period, when the implant should integrate with the surrounding tissues. Once the healing period is over, the dentist will place an abutment, an extension that will carry the crown or bridge.

Procedure:

The procedure of getting dental implants can last for several months. Once the dentist and you have decided that you are going to get implants, first you have to get all the needed x-rays for the dentist to plan the whole procedure. Some patients might require bone grafts when there is no sufficient bone. Today there are artificial bone grafts, or the other option is to get a bone transplant from another part of the mouth. If the tooth is still present in the mouth it has to be extracted first. The following step includes placing the bone graft and waiting for the spot to heal.

If no bone graft is required, the dentist can start preparing for surgery. During the surgery, the dentist will do a small cut, and place the dental implant with a special instrument. The procedure only takes up to half an hour, and it can be very fast, especially if it’s one implant. After that, the patient needs to wait for several months. This is the process of osseointegration when the surrounding bone merges with the implant and recognizes it as a part of its structure. Once that period is done, the patient comes back for a second visit. At that time, the dentist might place a special shaping part that is meant to shape the gums surrounding the implant for one to two weeks. The following step includes the placement of an abutment on top of the implant. After that, the patient will get a temporary crown. During the last visit, the implant is covered with the fixed crown. Removable and fixed dentures are also an option if the patient can’t get a crown. Dental surgeons, periodontal surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons and general dentists with training in implantology can be included in the whole procedure.

In some cases, there is no need for wait before placing the crown. If the bone is strong enough, can be implanted with high torque (35ncm) and if all of the exams indicate that it’s possible, the dentist can decide to load the implant immediately.

Indication:

The best possible indication for dental implants is a missing tooth. A lot of patients are under the impression that implants provide superior aesthetic looks compared to crowns. If there is still a possibility for the tooth to be covered with a crown, that should be the case. Extracting teeth that can be topped with a fixed restoration to place an implant is contraindicated. You can still get great esthetics with crowns and bridgework. Implants do provide restorations that look almost the same as the natural teeth, but there’s plenty of factors that are important. Among them are the oral hygiene habits of the patient, type of implant, gum phnotype, bone condition, position of the implant and more.