Dental Implantations

Dental implantation systems we use:
Nobel Active dental implantation system -
http://www.nobelbiocare.com
CAM-LOG dental implantation system -
http://www.camlog.com
Symplant implantation system -
http://www.full-tech.hu


Dental implantation?

Dental implants are roots for fixing crowns, bridges or false teeth. Implants can be used to substitute lost teeth and roots. After the healing period the implants are almost fully able to function as teeth and roots. They improve chewing and speech, and apart from providing comfort they improve the aesthetics of the face too.


What’s the advantage of implants? With implants:

- There’s no need to crown healthy teeth to replace missing ones.
- In case molars are missing partial removable prosthesis can be avoided, and comfort is
improved.
- In case of the total lack of teeth you can avoid the dislocation of removable dentures,
or there is a possibility to have (non-removable) fixed dentures made.
- Major bone loss can also be avoided after losing teeth.
- Removable dentues, associated with old age by many,are also avoidable.
- During speaking and chewing a high level of comfort and confidence can be
achieved which helps establishing and maintaining personal relationships.  


Who is suitable for implantation treatments?

The optimal patient is totally healthy, has good oral hygiene and suitable anatomical features at the place where implants are placed. Due to modern technology, implantation is a surgery for anyone and everyone. There are certain diseases, health conditions, however, which exclude or make implantations be under consideration. Such factors are: smoking, taking certain medications, diabetes or haemophilia.


Who is implantation recommended to? All patients who

- Haven’t got any of the excluding factors and who choose this
solution
- Do not want to have their healthy teeth ground right next to the
missing ones
- Would like to make their removable dentures more firm
- Would like to have fixed bridges instead of their removable
prosthesis

Basic requirements for implantations

- Sufficient bone quantity
- Good general health conditions (similar to what is needed for driving a car)
- Perfect oral hygiene

Implantation is not possible. In case of:

- Insufficient bone quantity at the location of  surgical action
- Serious blood growth disease
- Serious coagulation disease
- Serious diabetes especially if it is with micro circulation problems
- Cancer
- Major bite disorders
- Bad oral hygiene
- Heavy smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Drug addiction
- Children before the growing of jaw bones is finished (until about the age of 14)

What is the risk of implantation surgeries?

Implantation surgeries are made in local anesthesia, and there can be complications just like during other dental treatments in local anesthesia. During the surgery the surroundigs can be damaged, but with special care, careful planning and professional surgery techiques the risk can be reduced to minimal.

The rejection of implants is very rare, and the cause of it can always be identified. With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups the long lifetime of dental implants can be guaranteed.

What is the lifetime of dental implants?

With sufficient oral hygiene, carefully executed tooth replacement and regular check-up we can say that the lifetime of implants and the teeth beside are approximately the same. Since teeth replacements (crowns and bridges) are under a constant, 24-hour strain, they are to be changed in every 10-15 years, but implants are not removed, they keep functioning in the same way.

What materials are implants made of?

Only tissue friendly materials can be placed in the human body, which cause no damage, compatible with the tissues and are not rejected. Taking their physical features into consideration as well, titanium and aluminium-oxyd ceramics are such materials used in dentistry. Dental implants are usually cylinder or screw shaped with a 2,8-6,0 mm diametre, and 7,0-21mm length. 

A Can implants be rejected?

Due to insufficient oral hygiene bacteria in the fur and tartar on implants (similarly to natural teeth) cause gum diseases and can lead to the loosening of fake roots and the absorption of the support bones. Appropriate tooth brushing technique, the use of dental floss and occassionally other oral hygienic tools are vital. Tooth replacement with implantations require a more intensive oral hygiene, therefore annual checkup is necessary.

Can implants cause allergy or cancer?

The material of dental implans is high purity titanium. This metal has special biological features; bone is able to grow together with it. There is no sign of any allergy or cancer caused by implantations in the literature, since its surface is a  stable compound, titanium-oxyde. This material does not dissolve in the humour, and it doesn’t react on the immune system either. With a proper placement method, and professional build up, dental implants can last lifelong.

What is the dental implantation process like?
Tooth replacement with implantations require very careful teamwork.

Firstly, after the inquiry about the patient’s general health condition, illnesses and medication, the dentist doing the tooth replacement makes a treatment plan, and after some plaseter imprints, X-rays and careful dental checkup if necessary together with the dento-alveolar oral surgeon (implantologist) they plan the place of the implants. (It is ideal if the implantologist and the dentist who makes the tooth replacement are one in the same.)

Secondly the patient is informed about the possible treatments. Once the patient has agreed on the treatment, the dento alveolar surgeon places the implants in the bones, and prepares the location for implants (maxillary sinus lift, ceasing inflamations and bone replacement).

The surgery is carried out in local anesthesia, therefore there’s no need to stay in hospital. After stiching the wound on the soft tissue, there is a 3-6 months healing period for the implant, during which time the bone grows on the implant (osseointegratio), the implant becomes fixed in this way, it ossifies. After the operation there might be minor swellings or discolouration, but there is no strong pain to be expected. During the healing period temporary teeth can be adjusted. Certain checkups must be done during the helaing period as well.

After the healing period is over, a tiny cut is made on the soft tissue above the dental impants in order to be able to remove healing screws and to put a so called ’gum shaping’ screw. It is soon followed by taking imprints, which enables the dental technician to make the planned tooth replacement.

After fixing the teeth in the mouth, a regular checkup is needed (once in every 6 months) so that the patient can happily enjoy his new teeth.

What is to be done before dental implantations?

- Inform your dentist about all your diseases, allergies and medications.
- Have something to eat before the surgery (just as usual), do not arrive at the surgery
with an empty stomach.
- Take your regular medication, but discuss it in advance wih the dentist who carries out
the operation.
- Bring somebody with you (because it is not recomended to drive after the operation).

What is to be done after dental implantation?

- Do not drive after the operation (local anestesia makes reflexes slower)
- Put some ice on the surface of the operated part from outside
- Take some pain killers if needed
- Take any recommended medicaton
- Do not eat until the local anesthesia wears off

When can the implants be loaded?

The helaing period is approximately 3 months. This time is needed for the bone cells to grow into (osseointegrate) with the micro pores on the surface of the implants. This osseointegration is responsible for the firm fixation of the implants, which enables the implants to bear durable/constant chewing without their being damaged.

It is followed by teeth replacement with implants. First the implants, protected by the gums, are released. It is not an operation itself, only a screw must be released with the help of a minor cut on the soft tissue, and then gum shapig devices are placed in, which shape the gums in about 8-10 days. Then imprints are taken which help the dental technician prepare the tooth replacement which was previously planned.

The relationship between the dentist and the patient is not over with the placement of the prothesis with implants. One of the most important issues of the long term success of the tooth replacement with implantology is the sufficient oral hygiene and the regular checkup with the dentist. Following the implantation, the patient is usually required to turn up at a check up twice a year. During these occassions the dentist checks the bone and cuticle cohesion around the implant, the condition of the tooth replacement, and takes any necessary corrective actions (for example removes tartar as well).

What is to be done after having a prosthesis done?

Special attention must be paid to oral hygiene. Special tools might be needed (interdental brush, dental floss, superfloss) depending on the nature of the work that has been completed. After the tooth replacement the dentist or hygenist explains and shows the proper tooth brushing method. In order to lenghten the lifetime of the prosthesis it is recommended to have a checkup with the dentist or the oral hygienist.

The success of the implantation depends on the patient at a great extent. The dental team has primary responsibility until the prosthesis is done, but the patients are the ones who are responsible for the ’maintenance’, for conservation.