Dental implants have, in recent years, proven to be the solution for those permanently missing one or more teeth. From the natural look to the durability, treatment and aftercare, in this blog post we take a deep dive into the world of dental implants.
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is best described as an artificial tooth root, usually made of titanium. Titanium is chosen because the human body tolerates this material best and because it fuses nicely with the patient’s own bone. The artificial root is carefully placed in the jawbone, after which a crown, bridge, or dentures can be attached to it.
Can more than one tooth be placed at the same time?
Yes! Whether you are missing just one, several or all teeth, an implant-treatment will restore beautiful, fixed teeth. Implants can provide a solution regardless of the number of teeth lost.
Why choose dental implants?
The benefits are numerous:
- Natural appearance: After placement and healing, implants look like your own teeth.
- Durability: With proper care, implants have a long lifespan.
- Tooth preservation: Dental implants prevent bone loss and provide protection to adjacent teeth.
- Eating comfort: Implants provide stability, making eating easier.
How does the process of getting dental implants go?
The process, from the first consultation to final placement, goes as follows:
- Consultation and radiology: During an initial appointment, all the necessary info about your teeth is gathered. A scan is also taken to check the amount and quality of your jawbone. We inquire about your needs and wishes. Based on all this information, an individual treatment plan and a price quote are drawn up.
- Insertion of the implants: The implantologist proceeds to insert the implants. This procedure is usually done under local anesthesia, but may be done under general anesthesia in certain cases. The doctor will discuss this with you beforehand.
- Ingrowth phase: After placement comes the ingrowth phase. During this phase, the jawbone must “fuse” with the implants. This takes approximately three to six months. During this period, you will go for checkups to monitor proper healing. During this phase, the dentist may provide you with a provisional, removable denture so that you do not have to walk around without teeth.
- Placing a healing cap: A second procedure may be necessary if the implant is buried under the gums during placement. If so, a healing cap will be placed on the implant. This cap will be removed after several weeks and replaced with a permanent structure to which the crown, bridge, or prosthesis will be attached. This second procedure is not necessary when the implant is already fitted with a healing cap during the initial placement. However, this is not always possible, and this decision is made during the procedure itself.
- Placement of the crown, bridge, or prosthesis: The dental specialist will place the final crown, bridge, or prosthesis on the implant.
- Aftercare: There will be checkups and you should maintain good oral hygiene. A combination of both is important for the success of the entire treatment. With good oral hygiene, implants are a very durable tooth replacement that you will enjoy for many years.
How does dental implant placement specifically go?
If only one tooth is missing, a crown can be placed using an implant. The implantologist does this by making an incision in the gums and drilling a hole in the jawbone. The implant fits perfectly in the hole and is screwed into it. After 4 to 6 months, the implant will have fully grown into the bone and a crown can be placed on it.
In some cases, the technique of “immediate loading” can be applied. In that case, the crown can be placed immediately. Dr. Frank Vanhove has specialized in this technique. If you would like more information about this, you can always contact him via the contact form.
If you are missing several teeth, implants can be placed that will serve as supports for a bridge. The advantage is that the bridge will only be placed where the teeth are missing. No classical bridge will be placed on healthy teeth, so they will remain unaffected.
If a completely new set of teeth needs to be placed, this can be done using 4 implants, on which a full fixed bridge of 10 to 12 teeth is placed. The specialist will then deliberately place the rear implants at an angle to the bone to ensure that important structures, such as the sinus in the upper jaw or the mandibular nerve, are avoided. The angled position also increases the spacing between the implants, which in turn benefits the anchoring of the fixed bridge being placed.
Are there risks associated with dental implants?
Like any medical procedure, there are risks involved. Therefore, always choose an experienced implantologist with expertise.
Conclusion
Dental implants are more than just a solution to an aesthetic problem. They can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life. Do you still have questions after reading this blog? Visit our FAQ page or contact specialist, Dr. Frank Vanhove directly.
