Implants

Nowadays, the most modern method of restoring lost teeth is the prosthetic reconstruction on implants. The basic element that allows this type of reconstruction is the implant itself, i.e. the type of implant in the shape of a screw, which is inserted into the jawbone.

What is an implant?

 Simply put, an implant is the equivalent of the root of the lost tooth, on which the prosthetic part - a single crown, a bridge or an overdenture - is fixed, depending on the missing teeth.

Can the metal from which the implant is made cause an allergic reaction?

The keys to success in implant prosthetics are the unique properties of the material the implant is made of. A breakthrough discovery of the phenomenon of osseointegration, i.e. the physical connection between bone and the surface of the titanium, allowed for the use this material in the vast majority of implant systems. The body treats the titanium implant as a fragment of itself, not only by not rejecting the material, but also creating neuron connections responsible for the emergence of the osseoperception phenomenon – the ability to "sense" the structure and the food consumed and the force that arises during biting on the reconstructed teeth, similarly as in natural teeth. This makes the patient gradually almost forget about having this type of restoration and normal daily functioning is the same as with natural dentition.

I already have an implant inserted. What's next?

The implant itself would be worthless if it did not have a prosthetic part, protruding above the gingiva and responsible for function and aesthetics. After the period of osseointegration when the implant becomes fused with the bone, which takes about 3 - 4 months, the prosthetic part is installed on an intraosseous implant.

In the simplest procedure, when rebuilding a single tooth, it can be a crown, which does not significantly differ from the "ordinary" kind made on your own prepared tooth, apart from some technical differences.

Similarly, with a larger quantity of teeth missing, bridges are used in order to limit the number of necessary implants. For example, a restoration replacing four missing teeth can be a four-point bridge that can be placed on two implants (i.e. screws inserted into the bone).

For edentulous full denture users, two implants in the mandible and four implants in the maxilla may be placed, on which the overdenture will be inserted in order to improve comfort. This is the simplest solution that can be modified, depending on the specific clinical situation, even to a twelve-point bridge that restores the teeth from tooth number "six" to "six", based usually on six implants.

Therefore, dental arch reconstruction with implants opens up a huge number of possibilities, from replacing a single tooth to rehabilitating patients with edentulism.

 Implant prosthetics step by step

1. The first visit is a thorough examination, including the general anamnesis, in order to qualify the patient for implant treatment. Due to the high involvement of the patient's body in the implantation process, it is important to stabilize the general health and eliminate harmful habits that could cause problems at every stage of treatment. It is particularly important to give up smoking, which, according to the results of many clinical trials, makes it difficult to integrate the implant with the bone. The doctor also assesses the condition and level of bone in which the implant will be placed, based largely on a radiological examination. In the case of an insufficient amount of bone, it is necessary to undergo bone regeneration or sinus lifting. These are treatments that aim to increase the space available for the implant. Depending on the technique used, synthetic materials, natural or obtained from the patient himself (i.e. autogenous grafts) are used. At this stage, it is very important to get acquainted with the treatment plan prepared by the doctor and any alternatives. A thorough understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each solution allows you to choose a satisfactory treatment option.
   
   
2. The next visit involves a surgical procedure – the placement of the implants. Under local anesthesia, the surgeon prepares the bone and then inserts the implant, making sure that the implant is properly stabilized. The mucous membrane is sutured shut over the implant and it is left in the bone for three months if placed in the mandible and from four to six months in the maxilla. At this time, the osseointegration described above occurs, and the patient is protected functionally and aesthetically with temporary restorations.
   
   
3. After the described period, the implant is uncovered, and the healing abutment is placed. For 14 days, it helps with healing and shaping the mucous membrane, so that it can better complement the future crown or other planned restoration.
   
   
4. After 14 days the prosthetic part is made. Depending on the type of restoration, a slightly different procedure is involved, but it essentially consists taking impressions, and then developing a connector in the laboratory, which is the connecting element between the implant and the crown or other prosthetic restoration.
   
   
5. The last visit consists of screwing in the connector and cementing or screwing in the prosthetic restoration.