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Dental implants: what they are, placement and post-operation

Dental implants: what they are, placement and post-operation

Dental implants: what they are, placement and post-operation

Dental implants are the best solution in dentistry today for the replacement of tooth loss or teeth incapable of being restored from an aesthetic and functional point of view, giving you the confidence to smile without any complexes.

A dental implant can essentially be considered as an analogue substitute of a natural root. It is an artificial device that is inserted into the bone to replace the missing tooth root. It has a cylindrical or conical shape, similar to a screw, and is made of titanium with a special coating that allows union with bone tissue.

After insertion, the implant surface merges with the bone structure, being able to support individual crowns, bridges that replace several teeth or even full dental prostheses with aesthetic and functional characteristics similar to natural dentition. In fact, implant rehabilitations are so similar to natural teeth that, whoever puts them on, doesn’t miss the corresponding tooth.

Implantes Dentários
Representation of dental implant fixed in jaw bone
Implantes dentários

Diferent sizes of dental implants

When are dental implants used?

Dental implants are used in situations such as:

– Absence of teeth ;

– Unrecoverable teeth ;

– Totally edentulous.

Example of a case of missing teeth
Example of placement of dental implants in case of missing teeth.

How are dental implants placed?

It starts with a pre-surgery preparation in which, through the analysis of orthopantomography and a CT scan, it is possible to assess the quantity and quality of the bone, and define the treatment plan, and in esthetic cases, prepare a simulation of the future dental work.

When the bone structure is good, the surgical procedure for placing an implant is simple and atraumatic, without the need to make incisions (opening the gum), except for a small circular incision, through which the bone is prepared to receive the implant.

When the bone structure is not so good (type of bone and/or quantity, or when we need to carry out some complementary procedure), we use the conventional surgical procedure with incision and flap (opening the gum) to visualize the bone structure and carry out the regenerative procedures necessary.

On the day of surgery, the bone is prepared and the implant placed under local anesthesia (completely painless) and, when indicated, temporary teeth are placed immediately after surgery. Afterwards, one waits for the integration of the implant, a period that can vary from 4 to 6 months, and then perform the molds to make the permanent teeth and later place them.

What to expect in the post-operation?

The placement of dental implants is performed using local anesthesia, minimizing the risks associated with a surgery that is painless. After surgery there may be edema (swelling) and discomfort that will be eliminated using the medication provided. Fulfillment of postoperative care is essential for a good recovery, among which the following stand out:

  • Cold and soft food;
  • Not exercising;
  • Sleep with your head slightly raised;
  • Regular cleaning of the intervened area;
  • Comply with the medication according to the recommendations provided.

Dental implants testimonial:

To learn more about clinical cases, visit our website: https://en.thecaretrip.com/tratamentos-dentarios/implantes-dentarios/

How are dental implants maintained?

Teeth restored with dental implants must be maintained with hygiene equal to natural teeth. Annual maintenance consultations with our partner are recommended,where maintenance work is carried out as well as the necessary x-ray.

What are the risks associated with dental implants?

The human body will not reject the dental implant, this is not to say that the implant cannot fail. Implant failures are associated with poor planning and poor case selection or post-surgical complications. We emphasize that the probability of failure in implants is very low, around 1% to 2% of cases.

Below we list the conditions that may increase the risk of dental implant therapy:

  • Diabetes: Diabetes is a risk factor in implant therapy, since healing is later and patients are more sensitive to postoperative complications. However, if the disease is compensated, it is not a contraindication, we just need more precautions.
  • Smoking: Smokers have less oxygen in their blood. This results in a reduction in the amount of blood that is delayed in healing. The nicotine in each cigarette will interfere with blood clot formation, making healing more difficult. Dental implants can and should be placed, but the risk to the patient is greater.
  • Other systemic conditions – OSTEOPOROSIS, HIV, HEMOPHILIA, RADIOTHERAPY: Studies indicate that there is no contraindication to implant therapy as long as the disease is compensated and surgery is planned. We need extra precautions and will communicate with specialists who follow you in treating these systemic diseases before surgery.