Put simply, implant treatment is the process of replacing missing teeth with new ones by screwing them in place. Titanium screws are inserted into the jawbone. The prosthetic tooth is fitted onto the screws. The key benefit of implant therapy in comparison to other dental procedures is the avoidance of any necessary treatment to the adjacent teeth. Only the missing element is treated individually. Consequently, the implant functions as a root and serves as a replacement for the original tooth. People can easily use it as if it were their own teeth.
What are the cases in which implant treatment is used?
- In cases where the patient cannot use a full denture due to excessive bone resorption in the toothless lower and upper jaws, the denture is placed on implants to increase retention.
- In the case of edentulous posterior teeth after the loss of molars, patients can have a fixed bridge supported by several implants instead of a removable partial denture.
- In long edentulous gaps, the long body of the bridge is problematic. The support and durability of long bridges can be increased by placing one or more implants in the edentulous area.
- If a single tooth is lost, a single implant can be placed in its place without reducing the teeth on either side of the missing tooth, and a single crown can be placed on it.
What should be considered before getting a dental implant?
- Implant treatment can also be defined as an artificial tooth root placed in the jawbone to restore the function and aesthetics of missing teeth. Implant screws are structures with a certain thickness and width. For this reason, the jawbone in the area where the implant is to be placed must have the height and width to accept this implant screw.,
- The success of an implant is also dependent on the quality of the bone. Furthermore, it is necessary for the gums to be in complete health prior to treatment and throughout the duration of having the implant in the oral cavity.
- One of the key determinants of successful implant application is bone structure. It is also crucial to determine the quality and quantity of the bone tissue before proceeding with implant application. A person’s bone tissue must be suitable for supporting the implant, so a thorough clinical and radiological examination is necessary prior to implant planning
- There is no age ceiling for implants if the bone structure and general health of the individual is appropriate. Health assumes more significance than age. Implantation is not favoured only in very young patients with incomplete bone development.
- Implant duration may vary depending on the number of teeth to be replaced. Nowadays, with the advances in technology, treatments can be completed quickly. Any discomfort after the implant procedure is similar to that felt after a regular tooth extraction.
- If the treatment is completed without complications, patients feel so comfortable that they are unaware of the presence of implants. Anaesthesia can be administered locally or generally, based on patient preference.
- The patient’s gums need to be in a healthy state before undergoing implant treatment and throughout the implant’s presence in the mouth. In order to attain complete osteointegration of the implants with the jawbone, the loads on the implant should be minimized within the initial 3-6 months of the healing phase.
- Smoking may increase the risk of infection, especially during early recovery. Smoking is not recommended for this reason.
What are the Stages of Implant Application?
The five sub-stages of dental implant treatment are analysed. A preliminary diagnosis is conducted before the commencement of treatment. Optimal oral hygiene is ensured just prior to the procedure. The foremost stage of the treatment involves implanting the device into the jawbone.
- Initial Examination and Planning
In implant treatment, we determine whether the patient is compatible with this treatment with the first examination. Our physicians examine the inside of the mouth in detail. A detailed examination of the gums, upper and lower jaw, the condition of the teeth and their suitability for the implant is performed. After the examination, planning is started. All details such as how many implants will be used, the structure of the implants, the type of dental prosthesis to be made on it are planned. We elaborate this planning by taking an image of the jaw with three-dimensional tomography. Thus, we start a process that will satisfy the patient by determining the area where the implant will be applied with the least error.
- Implant Operation Phase
Implant operation is performed by our specialist dentists with the planning that will be most suitable for the patient. Before the operation, the tooth and jaw area is stimulated with local anaesthesia. With appropriate surgical instruments, the slots where the implant will be applied are opened and the implant is placed in these slots. In the sutured implant procedure, an incision is made in the gum area to reach the bone and screwing is performed. After the implant is placed, the process in this area is completed by suturing. The complete completion of the operation process varies up to 3 months depending on the patient and the number of implants to be applied. The implant is expected to integrate with the jaw bone in approximately 15 – 40 minutes, and then the dental prosthesis is completed with the material to be covered.
- Recovery Period
The rate of failed implants is around 5% worldwide. Apart from this, implant operations are usually successfully fused to the jaw bone and the patient continues to use the implant like his/her own tooth without any problem. After the operation, the implant is completely integrated with the bone after 2 – 2.5 months for the lower jaw and 3 – 4 months for the upper jaw.
- Implant Placement
After local anaesthesia, implant placement is performed as planned. In some patients, the jaw bone may not be sufficient. In such cases, implant treatment is performed under general anaesthesia since tissue addition may be required.
- Making the Prosthesis
After the necessary diagnosis and planning are made in implant treatment, the prosthesis preparation stage is started. At this stage, a prosthesis is designed taking into account the patient’s personal tastes and the condition of the existing teeth. An intraoral impression is taken. A colour that will look compatible with other teeth is decided. Afterwards, the prosthesis is prepared to adapt to the patient’s existing teeth.
What are the situations in which implantation is not possible?
Some physical conditions or disabilities may prevent implantation. These conditions can be listed as follows;
- Some heart diseases
- Blood clotting problems
- Rheumatic diseases
- Diabetes; uncontrolled and irregular course of diabetes
- Inappropriate, inadequate and anatomically risky bone structure in the jaw
- The patient is not predisposed to surgical procedures (excessive anxiety, excessive fear)
- Situations where the patient cannot provide complete oral hygiene after the implant
Are implants rejected by the body?
Implants can be made from many materials, but pure titanium or titanium alloys have given the best clinical results. The healing of bone and soft tissue around intra-osseous implants is a dynamic process influenced by many factors. The patient will use the implants for the rest of their lives if they are correctly indicated and correctly applied to the right patient by the doctor, and then the patient will use the implants for the rest of their lives if they follow the instructions for use recommended by the doctor.
