What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants or fixtures are cylinder-shaped posts that are implanted in the jawbone and are used as a substitute for the natural tooth’s root. Together with superstructure and prosthetic dental crown, they form a single unit for functional and esthetic rehabilitation of one or more missing teeth. They are usually made of titanium alloy or pure titanium and must be bio-compatible and non-threatening to a patient’s health. Upon installing the dental implant, the objective is to create a contact between the outer surface of the implant and the surrounding bone tissue so that they can join together (the phenomenon is called “osseointegration”) and thus ensure the sustainability of the tooth restoration. Before installing the implant, we examine the health of patient’s teeth and gums, and only after all pathological conditions are repaired, we can start the implantation. After a detailed X-ray diagnostics and precisely developed plan, we introduce you to the treatment plan. What are the advantages of dental implant? - Less bone tissue loss - Implants preserve the bone around them from deterioration. The implant joins in with the jawbone, thus preventing bone loss and gum recession that often occur with dental bridges and below dentures. - Improved functionality - After the fusion, implants function like your own teeth. Unlike dentures, which create an unpleasant feeling of a foreign body in the mouth, the patient does not feel the difference between a natural tooth and those with implant. - Preservation of natural teeth - Teeth around the implants remain intact as there is no need for drilling. Implants do not in any way impair the quality of the other teeth, which could happen in the preparation of dental bridges. - Esthetics - Prosthetic implant constructions are amongst the most visually pleasing oral procedures, which contributes to an increased confidence and self-esteem of the patient. Implantation Phases The implant is surgically inserted into the bone. The procedure is done quickly and painlessly, since it is performed under local anesthesia. After the implantation, there is a recovery period during which the implant coalesces with the bone (“osseointegration”) which usually takes 2-6 months. At the end of the recovery period, the superstructure (suprastructure) is laid on the implant serving as a base for prosthetic crown or other prosthetic solution, depending on the treatment plan. Who can install dental implants? Anyone who has one, several, or even all of the teeth missing, or someone who has lost the natural ability to chew, others for aesthetic reasons or speech improvements, can make a good candidate for incorporating dental implants. Implants can also be an ideal solution when the wearing of full or partial dentures is difficult or completely disabled. It is important that you have enough bone tissue and that the bone is sufficiently strong as well as that you do not have any health problems that can compromise the healing process (uncontrolled diabetes, chemotherapy, etc).