Implant dentistry is a discipline which deals with installing osseointegrating implants in the edentulous bone of the upper and lower jaw in order to compensate the lost tooth root. It is a young branch of dental medicine which, when applied in practice, can remediate the problem of all forms of loss of teeth: from the lack of a single tooth to complete edentulism.
A dental implant is a small screw which is embedded into the bone of the upper and lower jaw and serves as a substitute for the lost tooth root. This is an 'artificial' root, made from titanium, which is the most compatible material for the human bone.
The implant should be distinguished from the pin. While the implant is implanted into the human bone as a replacement for the root, the pin is placed in the root of the existing tooth to upgrade it if it is too short
The implants can solve the lack of one or more teeth, and in the case of complete loss of teeth, the implant acts as the carrier of the future prosthetic replacement. Fixed substitutes, such as crowns and bridges, can be made on the implants, as well as different types of dentures as mobile solutions. Crowns are made when one tooth is missing, and bridges with the lack of a larger number of teeth or the complete loss of teeth. In cases of complete edentulism in the upper and lower jaws, various types of dentures can be made, besides bridges. In order for the implant to attach onto a fixed or mobile structure, it is necessary to incorporate a suprastructure or abutment. It is a special titanium upgrade, which serves as a link between the implants and the prosthetic solutions, and is placed when the patient comes for the prosthetic part of the procedure.
The implantation lasts for about 10-15 minutes per implant. The operation itself is very short and, more importantly, it is completely painless for the patient, as it is done under local anesthesia.
The prosthetic phase follows only after a period of osseointegration, which represents the growing of the implant with the bone, which can last in the range of 2-3 months for the lower jaw, while for the upper jaw a period of 3-4 months is usual. The entire period between the surgical and prosthetic phase the patient has to wear a temporary prosthetic aid.
It is important to know that not every lack of tooth is an indication for an implant. Some relative counterindications for placing an implant are:
- Lack of bone structure or decreased bone density in the area of implantation
- Poor hygiene
- Smoking
- Some systematic diseases
Implant placement is one of the safest procedures in dentistry, with a success rate of 95-100 %. Implantation includes not only the installation of implants in the edentulous bone. When the bone in the implantation area is very thin, or if it is very low and close to the mandibular nerve (lower jaw), or if the maxillary sinus in the molar area of the upper jaw is lowered; in those cases we must perform additional surgery of augmentation or bone grafting, as well as raising the bottom of the sinus or sinus lift operation
