Implantology is an important area of the dental surgeon’s work: they perform implant placement procedures and can also help patients who, due to the shape of their jawbone, do not have enough space for an implant.
Dental implantology involves placing a screw, usually made of titanium, into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth and serve as a foundation for future prosthetic restorations: a crown or bridge.
Proper patient qualification for the implantation procedure is crucial.
Despite advancements in surgical techniques and implantology, the procedure may still not be successful. This can be due to inadequate patient assessment, leading to implant rejection (commonly referred to as 'the implant didn't take'). This highlights the importance of a thorough, individualized approach to each patient, taking into account both local conditions in the oral cavity and the patient's overall health.
Implants are not suitable for patients who:
- Have severe chronic conditions e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, active cancer, osteoporosis, or metabolic diseases.
- Have blood disorders, such as clotting issues or leukemia.
- Smoke, as the adverse effects of smoking on tissue regeneration make implant integration with bone difficult.
Alternative methods of replacing the missing tooth should be considered in those cases. Learn more about this topic in the section I Want to Replace a Missing Tooth.
Other contraindications include:
- Teeth needing treatment
- Poor oral hygiene
With those contraindications, before making a decision about implant treatment we recommend consulting a dentist– link do Chcę wyleczyć zęby and visiting to the Oral Hygiene Clinic – link do profilaktyki for better oral care.
Lastly, implant placement may not be possible if there is insufficient bone structure. In such cases, a dental surgeon can assist with preparing the bone for implant placement.
Tooth implants replace natural tooth roots. For successful implantation, it is essential to have a suitable site that ensures stable implant placement in the jawbone.
Our dental clinic offers specialized dental surgery treatments to prepare the bone base for implant placement – that is, to create the right conditions for the implant procedure.
Bone Regeneration
Sometimes, after a tooth extraction, significant bone loss occurs, and there is no sufficient base for an implant. In such cases, bone regeneration techniques can help. These procedures use bone-forming materials which stimulate the patient’s body to generate additional bone tissue, or bone substitutes. This allows patients to undergo implant treatment even if their natural bone structure initially does not support it.
Sinus Lift Surgery
Another issue that may arise after the loss of teeth in the posterior part of the upper jaw is a lowered sinus floor. If it happens, there is no room for an implant. In those cases, we recommend a sinus lift procedure. It involves detaching the sinus membrane, lifting it, and applying a bone substitute material in the space created. This procedure creates room for the placement of a dental implant. In favorable circumstances, it is possible to perform both the sinus lift and implant placement during the same visit, utilizing the newly formed bone.
Implant Navigation Systems
In cases with complex bone conditions, an implant navigation system may be employed. This involves creating a custom template that guides the implant into areas with optimal bone parameters. The system is used based on a detailed analysis from a CT scan of the jawbone.
Implantation Procedure
Dental implants are a reliable and highly effective method of replacing missing teeth, offering several advantages over other restorative methods. For more information on this topic, please refer to the I Want to Replace a Missing Tooth section.
In addition to proper patient qualification, the key factors for success are the correct execution of the implant procedure and the selection of a high-quality implant.
Charme Clinique exclusively uses implant systems from Nobel Biocare, a company that employs the latest technologies and scientific findings to develop a wide variety of implant shapes and sizes. This allows us to select the best implant to suit the individual needs of each patient.
The implantation procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia. In the case of multiple implants being placed in a single session, the procedure can be done under general anesthesia. For more information check our Dental Treatment Under General Anesthesia section.
In order for the treatment to be successful, the implant needs to integrate with the bone. Depending on the location in the oral cavity, the process takes 4 to 6 months.
After this time, the implant is uncovered, and a healing abutment is placed. This is a screw attached to the implant to allow the gum tissue to heal around it. It creates space for the future crown, which will be placed by the prosthodontist. This stage of treatment is also carried out by the dental surgeon.