These are titanium devices that substitute the root of the lost tooth. They are threaded and their surface is treated to produce an osseointegration phenomenon, in which the bone grows around the implant.
We evaluate the amount of bone available as well as its quality. This allows us to select the most appropriate implant or perform regenerative techniques in cases where the quantity of bone is insufficient.
An implant is considered to be unitary when only one tooth is replaced; either to replace a lost tooth (following an impact, cavity, root fracture or as a consequence of a cystic process) or because of agenesia (it never existed).
In some cases, the absence of teeth is generalised or total. We can replace large sections using two or more implants, even replacing all the teeth by increasing the number of implants according to each situation.
When it is impossible to save a tooth, we can plan to extract it and then insert an implant at the same time, avoiding or minimising bone reabsorption that occurs following extraction.
Sometimes, when primary stability (the stability of the implant on the day it is implanted) is high, we can introduce both the implant and the prosthesis on the same day.
Implants are considered to be short if they measure less than 8mm in length. They allow us to solve complex clinical situations where there is minimal bone visibility, thus avoiding more complex surgical procedures in a simple, economical and rapid fashion.
On occasions, we see implants affected by bacterial infection causing bone loss around the implants (Peri-implantitis) or inflammation of the mucous around the implants (Peri-implant mucositis). This situation requires treatment.
Nowadays, regenerative procedures and techniques are available that are capable of forming bone where there was none before. For this, if a patient needs implants for the reconstruction of their mouth and there is insufficient bone, we can augment it and then perform the implant.
Between 4 and 8 implants are introduced, depending on the clinical factors, and all of the replacement teeth are supported on these implants.
It can be done with either ceramic or resinous materials. The work remains fixed, and cannot be removed by the patient. It is screwed to the head of the implants. This is the best solution.
Between 2 and 4 implants are positioned with abutments that provide a strong fixing for the complete prosthesis.
This is a really valid option that provides a good quality of life. The patient can remove the prosthesis although it is sufficiently stable to stay in place while eating, speaking, laughing etc.
By a biological process called osseointegration, in which the body forms a direct connection between the bone and the implant surface. Following osseointegration, the implant becomes firmly fixed to the bone and can support a prosthesis capable of dealing with all functional and cosmetic requirements as though it were a natural healthy tooth.
1. When one has to replace teeth with an equal or greater stability to that of the natural teeth that were lost, while avoiding having to use adjacent teeth; to restore the mouth functionally and cosmetically with quality and precision.
2. When one needs an anchor for a mobile dental prosthesis, to provide the necessary stability for comfort and security, as though it were a fixed prosthesis.
3. When one needs the maxillary bones to maintain their function and not lose volume because of reabsorption, avoiding tissue deterioration and the aspect of facial ageing caused by the formation of folds and creases.
4. When anchors are needed to allow other treatments such as orthodontics or orthopaedics and that might, on occasion, be impossible to perform.
Using a dental implant, we can recover the loss of a natural tooth without having to use or file down the adjacent healthy teeth (however, this would be inevitable if one opts to introduce a bridge to support the teeth), Over the implant, we fashion a unitary or independent crown which can be cemented or fixed to the implant using a small hidden screw. In this way, the crown will have a totally natural appearance with totally restored phonation and chewing functionality without needing any support from neighbouring teeth.
When one has lost various teeth and the space is relatively small, they can be recovered by introducing a fixed prosthesis called a bridge, which can be supported by ones natural teeth. If you wish to avoid filing down the natural teeth, it is advisable to introduce a set of implants in the space that can support the bridge instead. Nowadays, implants are the best option; no natural teeth are affected when supporting the prosthesis and the teeth are not overloaded. In addition, the bone volume and the soft tissue remain intact.
Mouth reconstruction in people who have lost all their teeth can be performed by introducing a complete prosthesis. However, there are certain drawbacks:
1. Loss of stability, adjustability and retention that can cause movement, difficulty in chewing and instability.
2. Slow but continuous reabsorption of the maxillary alveolar bone.
3. Sores in areas where there is friction.
4. Loss of appetite and changes in food flavours.
5. In some patients, it can produce nausea. By fixing various dental implants, we can fit a stable prosthesis, improving comfort and stability. A fixed prosthesis can be used (only taken out by the dentist) or a denture (that the patient can remove themselves), which ensures great stability when it is in place.
We almost always administer a local anaesthetic, as with many other dental treatments. One only hears the gentle noise of the instrument and a mild pressure sensation. After the operation, there might be some inflammation in the affected area and bruising. This is completely normal, a natural response to repair tissue after the intervention. Our implantation team will advise you on the best treatment, and help you to avoid any discomfort after the implants have been fitted.
This depends on the reason for the tooth loss. In cases where infection is present, it is advisable to wait until the bone tissue returns to normal; otherwise, the reliability of the treatment might be compromised. If no infection exists, we can fix the implants during the same session.
Some of the factors that can affect the osseointegration process are:
1. Infection. Those patients who do not practise sufficient mouth hygiene and, above all, those who have periodontal disease, run a higher risk of bacterial contamination of the implants.
2. Loading on the implants: often, too much force applied on the implants can interfere with the normal integration process between the implant and the bone.
3. Smoking: smokers run a higher risk of complications since the toxic elements in tobacco affect the normal osseointegration process. Most of the complications following dental implant treatment occur with these patients.
Although in most cases the implants carried out follow the procedure described above, occasionally cases arise in which the quality or quantity of either the bone or the gum requires techniques especially directed at remedying the problem. These procedures, based on using grafts, try to increase the gum quantity and quality in the intervention area to make implants possible.
Implant-based treatments have proven themselves to be very safe and secure. This is because of the existence of exhaustive control and maintenance protocols. Establishing adequate vigilance and careful periodic maintenance is necessary to avoid both bacterial infection and any possible maladjustments of the prosthesis caused by wear and tear over the passage of time. Check-ups aim to control the treatment results over time by detecting any undesired situations and rectifying them early.
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