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Implant dentistry
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A dental implant (also known as an endosseous implant or fixture) is a surgical component that interfaces with the bone of the jaw or skull to support a dental prosthesis such as a crown, bridge, denture, facial prosthesis or to act as an orthodontic anchor. The basis for modern dental implants is a biologic process called osseointegration where materials, such as titanium, form an intimate bond to bone.
Implant dentistry is a branch of dentistry concerned with restoring missing or lost teeth and reinforcing them using natural or synthetic materials.
If you use removable dentures, you should be familiar with the discomfort associated with tender gingiva when eating or talking.
Even good quality prostheses cause problems, for example, sometimes it necessary to prepare healthy teeth for a partial fixed denture. After tooth extraction the bone instantly starts to shrink. This process is called bone atrophy and can cause changes of facial features. For this reason it is necessary to periodically re-make removable dentures. Shrinkage of bone tissue causes functional and cosmetic deterioration of tooth and oral structures.
Research and modern technologies allows us to avoid removable dentures. The alternative is dental implants, small screws inserted into the jaw to replace a missing tooth.
In 1952 a Swedish surgeon found out that titanium forms a rigid bond with bone tissue. This phenomenon was called osseointegration.
Modern dental implants manufactured worldwide are based on this principle.
It is an invaluable option to have attractive fixed comfortable dental replacement instead or removable dentures or fixed partial dentures.
Leaving a space between the adjacent teeth causes several problems:
- the adjacent teeth will tip towards the free space;
- face will look older due to the shrunk jaw;
- the smile won’t look attractive with teeth missing.
Dental implants are recommended, if
- some teeth are missing for any reason;
- the gums are sore or have shrunk;
- you want to avoid jaw shrinkage after losing teeth;
- there are no teeth in the jaw.
Dental implants:
- form a biological bond with bone tissue;
- act as a support for other teeth;
- restore function and aesthetics;
- allow comfortable chewing and speech;
- help avoid bone shrinkage;
- help preserve bone tissue and attractive appearance of the face.
A dental implant is a permanent tooth replacement. It holds a crown or a fixed partial denture just like a root of a tooth would. Most dentists consider dental implants to be one of the greatest achievements in modern dentistry, Unlike fixed partial dentures, dental implants truly attach to the bone. Previously it was necessary to prepare two adjacent teeth to replace one missing tooth. Now one implant is simply inserted between the adjacent teeth without damaging them.
Advantages of dental implants:
stability, patients are able to eat even hard foods. Usually people choose dental implants after having worn removable dentures;
very low risk of rejection.
Are dental implants fit for you?
After a clinical examination your dentist will decide whether dental implants would cause any health risks and check for any factors which would impede hard and soft tissue healing, for example infection or connective tissue damage. Also, the gums have to be healthy and there must be enough bone tissue to insert dental implants.
When inserting implants and preparing prostheses it is crucial to take into account physical oral features, e.g. malocclusion.
Neodenta clinic cooperates with NobelSmile TM Lietuva – the Nobel Biocare representative in Lithuania, which is a world leader in cosmetic prosthetics. Nobel Biocare offer clinicians research-based dental treatment and dental care techniques.
Our clinic offers implant systems used worldwide: BioHorizons, Dentsply, Ankylos (Germany), Nobel Biocare, Straumann (Switzerland/USA).
Ankylos implant system
Ankylos is one of the leading dental implant systems. The implants are designed to closely mimic natural tooth aesthetics and mechanical stability. Tapered connection allows for initial stability and long-term performance: a very precise TissueCare Connection helps avoid micro-movements and bacterial infiltration. This rigid connection prevents bone shrinkage and allows for healthy soft tissue around the implant.
Nobel All-on-4 implant system
This implant system is designed for patients who lost all or most of their teeth.
Only four implants, instead of traditionally used 6–8 implants, are used to restore the whole dental arch. This technique allows patients to avoid complex bone augmentation procedures. Patient does not feel pain, the gums do not swell or bleed and no antibiotics are needed. In one visit implants are inserted and new comfortable provisional or definitive prostheses are fixed.
All-on-4 method can be used with implantation when the implants are inserted immediately after extraction of bad teeth. It is especially convenient when only a few natural teeth are left in the mouth.
Immediate implant placement
When one or several teeth need to be extracted and the patient cannot have a tooth missing, immediate implant placement is offered: a procedure takes 10–15 minutes, and an implant is inserted to replace the extracted tooth. The procedure takes about as long as a regular filling. A temporary tooth is immediately fixed onto the implant, the patient can smile and chew freely. After a couple of months the temporary tooth is replaces with a permanent tooth, which cannot be distinguished from natural teeth.
Immediate implant placement allows to reduce treatment time, there is no need for suturing and additional surgical interventions.
Straumann implants
These dental implants and their components are manufactured in Switzerland and the US, regenerative agents – in Sweden. Straumann carry out research and development on dental implants, instruments and regenerative agents used to replace missing teeth and avoid tooth loss. It is the most researched implant system in the world. Probability of rejection is only 1–2 cases out of 400. The patented SLActive surface treatment allows for sooner loading compared to other implant systems.
BioHorizons
BioHorizons implants have been the most popular implant system in Lithuania for several years. It is an optimal value for money. If an implant does not integrate (3–4% of all inserted implants), the procedure is repeated after a few months, the patient does not pay for the additional procedure, since the manufacturer replaces the failed implant. Creators of this implant system have recently published one of the best guides to implant dentistry.
More information:
http://www.tiesa.com/naujienos/9247/patvarus-ir-ilgaamziai-dantu-i.html
http://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/10260045/Dantu.implantavimas..investicija.ilgam=2009-02-19_09-00/
http://www.sveikaszmogus.lt/Vaikams1-2470-Danties_implantas_pries_dantu_tilta
