What makes dental implants unrivalled?
Dental implants, also known among dentists as endosseous implants, are a type of prosthesis used in cases of missing teeth and the most modern alternative to traditional prosthetic treatment methods.
The growing popularity of implants in recent years results from their non-invasiveness and the completely natural appearance they restore. The material used to make implants is titanium – inert to the human body and extremely resistant to loads – while their form, shape and colour are no different from normal teeth. There are also no limits on the number of implants that can be placed.
The greatest advantage of dental implants is that they are completely invisible and excellently perform the function of natural, healthy teeth. In addition, implants are exceptionally durable and long-lasting and can support traditional bridges or dentures.
That this is one of the breakthrough inventions in dentistry is shown by the fact that the first implants, placed in 1965 by the Swedish scientist Prof. Per-Ingvar Brånemark, still serve successfully today – suggesting they can function as healthy teeth for a lifetime. But are implants for everyone?
Who can have implants placed?
In principle, there are no contraindications to placing implants in a healthy adult, although factors that stand in the way of such a procedure may of course arise. To identify them, the treating dentist must conduct a thorough interview with the patient. It is worth being prepared especially for two questions:
- Does the patient suffer from diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis or joint diseases? These conditions may require the patient and doctor to take additional steps or tests before the procedure.
- Does the patient smoke? Smokers can opt for implants only six months after the mandatory quitting of smoking in such cases, because the tobacco habit increases the risk of implant rejection.
The diagnostic tests the patient must undergo before the treating doctor makes a decision can also show whether they have enough bone to place the implant, although today this problem can be solved through Guided Bone Regeneration. These tests include radiovisiography, tomography and pantomography. If nothing stands in the way, the implant can be placed.
What does placing an implant involve?
Put simply, the procedure involves the dental surgeon first detaching the mucous membrane, then drilling small holes in the alveolar bone, into which they screw implants made of biocompatible titanium, and finally suturing the mucosa. A professionally performed procedure without complications takes about an hour. Placing an implant immediately after tooth extraction is not a frequent procedure but, under favourable anatomical and tissue conditions, is possible.
After placing the implant, temporary solutions can be used until the treatment site heals.
Because the human body tolerates titanium exceptionally well, a few months after placement the implant fuses with the bone. At that point an appropriate prosthetic structure can be built on it. Such a stable foundation successfully performs the function of a normal, healthy tooth and can also serve as a base for a denture, crown or bridge when the patient does not want to grind down their own tooth.
The benefits of placing implants are unlimited. Implants are a latest-generation solution with a positive effect not only on the whole bite but above all on the patient's psychological comfort. Dental implants are indistinguishable from natural teeth, both in appearance and in the function they perform.
At NL Clinic we offer several implant systems, from affordable to premium, depending on the patient's anatomical conditions and financial means. The choice of the appropriate implant system and type of prosthetics takes place during a consultation, at which the patient also receives a preliminary written assessment of the scope of the necessary treatments and their costs.