Implantology – Valdent – Dental Clinic

IMPLANTOLOGY

Dental implants are the best way to bring you back your smile after losing teeth which is a common consequence of gum disease, aging and oral trauma. Teeth replacement must be done for aesthetical and functional reasons. In a large number of cases, dental implants are the only logical solution for a complete functional restoration of the teeth and supporting structures. With a success rate of 93-98 %, implant placement is one of the safest procedures in dental medicine.

What are implants?

Dental implants are artificial teeth roots which are surgically placed and integrated in the jawbones. Their goal is to replace dysfunctional or missing natural teeth roots. Dental implants are manufactured from biocompatible titanium which fuses with the bone perfectly in a process called osseointegration. They consist of : titanium bolt (screw, cylinder), abutment (a special attachment that connects the bolt to the external part) and a tooth crown or prosthetic denture.

Who should have an implant?

Anyone who has lost one or more teeth, people who want to restore their appearance, chewing or speech ability, people with dysfunctional dentures or long-term denture wear. In cases with high alveolar bone or non-suitable bone structure, it’s recommended to perform a bone augmentation procedure (bone grafting) in order to accommodate implants. If you meet all the criteria for implants above, dr. Gino Tafra will be happy to discuss the various treatment options that are available, perform the initial examination and create a 3D diagnostic analysis (Orthopan).

PRGF Endoret technology

Valdent Dental Clinic uses PRGF Endoret technology for post-extraction procedure in patients with periodontal defects for it improves bone and soft tissue healing in the bone preparation phase of the implant placement treatment. This method requires a small amount of blood which is drawn right before the procedure itself. The blood is then centrifuged in order to get the patient’s own blood protein concentrate. Using patient’s own blood cells speeds up the healing process, reduces infection and avoids allergic reactions and possible blood clotting.

Implant Osseointegration 

Dental implants are artificial roots – titanium bolts. How do they act in the jaw? Mechanical, like screws or bolts, or like our own teeth?

Primary, mechanical stability

Right after implant placement and a couple of weeks after the procedure, their stability in the bone is strictly mechanical. Dental implants have threads and their placement is planned with a measured amount of force according to bone density and rigidity.

Naturally, implant placement immediately causes reaction in the surrounding bone which results in a decrease in mechanical stability in 2 weeks after the procedure. At the same time, while losing mechanical stability, biological stability evolves.

Secondary, biological stability

Due to titanium biocompatibility and a coarse surface of dental implants, a biological stability is created. The “coarse surface” is a term researched and experimented for decades with a goal of getting the most optimal surface that will interact with the bone. During the last couple of years, a great progress has been made in mastering the perfect implant design and surface. The goal is to achieve the best integration of the vital bone marrow in the microstructure of the implant’s surface while sparing as much time as possible. This process is called osseointegration.

Tertiary stability

Tertiary stability evolves from functional integration and dental implant load. The load involves dental crowns, dental bridges, skeleton prosthetics and implants being exposed to chewing force.

Dental Implant Rejection

Good news: there is no such thing as titanium allergy – 95 % dental implants on the market are manufactured from titanium.

Orthopaedic implants such as artificial hips, knees and shoulders are also manufactured from biocompatible titanium and the allergic reactions are 100 % unrecorded. What makes titanium differ from other metals?

Titanium has a strong affinity towards oxygen so immediately after the release of the titanium ions, an oxygen layer is created. Oxides can’t bind proteins and that results in the impossibility of a titanium allergic reaction.

Attention: around 2% of implants don’t osseointegrate (fuse with the bone). For some reason, they get rejected. In order to achieve the best results, make sure your doctor is experienced, uses only certified implants and that the procedure is carried out in a strictly sterile environment.

Dental implant placement procedure
Tooth extraction (if the tooth isn’t extracted or missing already)
Titanium bolt (screw, cylinder) is inserted into a prepared bony socket in the jaw. It then begins fusing with the surrounding bone (osseointegration process) which takes 3-6 months. After this time, the implant is stable enough to support one or more false teeth. Dental implants are manufactured from biocompatible titanium that encourages bone regeneration.
In the case of implant’s primary stability during the healing process, the patient can also carry a temporary dental crown. When the surrounding bone marrow fuses with the implant and, therefore, secures a stable root for a false tooth, a gingiva-former is placed on top of the implant. It then acts as a gum replacement which will create a solid base and connect the implant to its external part.
10-15 days after the osseointegration process had finalized and the gingiva-former finished its healing process, an abutment is placed on top of the implant with a crown, bridge or prosthetic denture cemented on top of it. That makes the implant placement procedure complete. In the case of only ONE missing tooth, the procedure is simplified due to the fact that the surrounding teeth stay completely intact. In the case of more missing teeth, dental implants act as a “foundation” for a bridge made out of connected dental crowns or even the patient’s natural teeth.

6 Steps to a gorgeous smile with dental implants:

During your first appointment, we do a clinical dental examination and an X-ray of your jaw. Depending on your expectations and desires, as well as your anatomy, we offer a solution we think is best for you. Using model sculptures, we will try to demonstrate exactly how we would go through the treatment. The first appointment after an initial agreement includes teeth extraction and a mouth impression for a temporary implant (prosthetics or temporary dental crowns) which we ensure you receive on that same day – so you don’t go home toothless. Depending on your clinical state and information we get from the X-Ray, we then propose doing a precise 3D jaw CT (Some may be able to do it on the first appointment and others 2-4 months after teeth extraction). A CT is necessary in order to evaluate the quality and dimension of your jawbones, based on which we can create a plan of the exact number of implants needed and their layout, as well as all the measures for an eventual bone augmentation procedure (bone grafting).
The jaw CT is performed! After we’ve decided upon a prosthetic solution according to your individual state, the treatment begins. You will receive a detailed description of every step before we start with anything. At this point, you may be wondering: “Does implant placement cause any pain?” The answer is NO. The procedure isn’t painful; the only thing you could eventually feel is tingling of the local anaesthesia injections and motions of the doctor’s hands. We will provide you with detailed written instructions on how to behave after the procedure, prescription drugs and other fine-tuning necessities in order to make this as easy and comfortable for you as possible. After the procedure, you will meet with your prosthetic technician with whom you will discuss the rest of the treatment.
The next appointment will be 2-6 months after the implant placement. The doctor opens up the implants and inserts secondary implant bolts which will mould your gingiva and speed up the healing process.
A month after secondary implant bolts placement, a final impression is taken.
2 weeks after the final impression, we will do a final fitting of your teeth with your dental technician.

Your smile is ready to conquer the world! 

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