Dental implants are artificial titanium alloy tooth roots that are inserted in the jawbone in order to prevent edentation in case of missing teeth and provide an ideal form, function and look. Titanium is used as an implant material as it does not interact with body tissues and it is resistant to forces. With a good diagnosis, planning and application, failure rate of implants is almost nonexisting. Also, their life is as long as the life of patient.
In case of single-tooth edentation, it is prevented in a good way without contacting adjacent teeth and cutting any teeth.
In case of multiple edentation, it eliminates the requirement of long bridges or removable prostheses. They remove all disadvantages of removable prostheses. They offer a good look and eating comfort under ideal conditions. Since it prevents thinning and reduction of bone in extracted tooth areas, it also prevents occurrence of collapses and wrinkles around the lips which increase with the age.
Average surgical time required for one implant is 8-10 minutes. During the surgery, the patient does not feel any pain or ache. After the operation, the patient may feel slight acres for 1-2 days. In general, they do not cause intense pains. In most cases, the patient takes antibiotics and painkiller for 5 days. After 1 week, the sutures are removed. Average time required for recovery and permanent attachment with the bone is 2.5 months. During this period, we may prescribe temporary prostheses. Permanent prostheses are applied after this period. Application of prostheses is a sensitive process but does not cause any problem for the patient.
Implants are artificial tooth roots that are applied for the missing teeth for various reasons and introducing the mastication function again and an aesthetical look. The teeth ensure inseparable integrity of the facial look and they may cause some problems in social life and human psychology. In addition, it is known that they may lead to some nutrition and digestion problems and difficulties in speaking. As part of today’s treatment methods, edentations are treated with bridge prostheses attached to other teeth or removable prostheses or implant supported prostheses.
Dental implants are designed to prevent edentations. The term implant and this treatment method are used not only in dentistry but also in many fields of medicine, including orthopedics and cardiovascular surgery. One of the purposes of dental implants is that they play the role of tooth roots. After they are attached and integrated with the jawbones, pontics may be applied on them. There are many criteria to achieve a good dental look depending on the application of implants. For a healthy and ideal smile, oral and dental structure is considered as a whole. An implant application plan is developed based on natural teeth of the patient except for the area which requires implant treatment. After the smile analysis of the patient, a roadmap is planned on what to do inside the mouth. Lip structure and gums of the patient are important factors to achieve a good dental look as a result of implant treatment. Having a healthy bone structure is required to keep the implant comfortable in the mouth. Also, implant supported prostheses are applied after the dentist makes some measures and consider various values such as number, volume, height and width of bones.
One of the biggest advantages of the implants is that they are stronger and more reliable compared to other treatment methods. Also, implant teeth do not get support from any other teeth or item inside the mouth and do not damage other teeth. In bridge treatments which were performed before the implant treatment applications, the treated tooth used to get support from healthy teeth and adjacent teeth were damaged substantially. With the common use of dental implants in today’s dentistry practices, the treatment is completed without damaging adjacent teeth during the removal of single-tooth edentation.
What are the stages of dental implant procedure?
Treatment and Planning
Implants should be applied with a multidisciplinary approach. Since a multidisciplinary approach requires teamwork, maxillofacial surgeon and prosthodontist who will perform the implant procedure should work together and offer best solution for the patient. Planning is very important in the implant treatment. During the treatment, a detailed oral therapy is required, the link between lower and upper jaw bone and the state of gums should be examined and existing teeth should be analyzed. In the treatment planning, measurement of number of bones is very important for the success of implants. As a result of this analysis, dentist decides the treatment method and starts the treatment with a minimum mistake. Implant treatment is not performed on patients with advanced and uncontrolled systemic disorders. Since they are applied in place of tooth roots, implants adapt to the tissue and do not cause allergic or toxic problems.
Placements of Implants
Correct planning is one of the most important stages of the treatment. An implant treatment is performed through local anesthesia under hygienic conditions with a specialized and experienced team. Except for special cases, general anesthesia or sedation could be used during long operations on patients who require tissue addition or have insufficient jawbone.
Application of Prostheses
After the operation, there is a waiting and recovery period for the union of implants over the bone surface. This period depends on bone structure of the patient and applied implants. When the treatment is completed, the upper structure is developed and temporary prostheses are applied for the continuity of functions and a good aesthetical look until the prostheses are developed.
