Dental implantology represents the most physiological method of replacing missing teeth. All dental implants used for tooth replacement at CANDEO are made of high-quality materials. Our patients are offered implants by the world’s most highly esteemed manufacturers: MIS, Branemark and Straumann.
Illustration of teeth showing dental implant structureThe choice of implants suitable for the patient is based on individual clinical condition and the patient’s financial situation. Below is a simplified scheme of the procedure:
- Frist visit – we address options, recommendations for implantation, and tentative plan based on clinical oral xam and additional diagnostic exams such as digital radiography (panoramic xrays or 3D scans) available in the clinic. Following the preliminary exam, we suggest an appointment for implantation. If implantation is to be
- performed using navigation tools, additional procedures must be completed prior to actual implantation visit.
- Second visit – most often involves the actual implantation procedure. Depending on the area of implantation, we secure the patient with a temporary restoration for esthetic or functional reasons. They include fixed or removable prosthetics.
- Third visit – suture removal
- Fourth visit – at the end of the implant integration period, we uncover the implant (or implants) and screw healing caps for approximately 2 weeks in order to contour soft tissue for optimal esthetics.
Further visits involve final prosthetic reconstruction. By clicking on the pictures to the right you can visualize the many possible implant supported prosthetics available. Each patient receives post-op instructions and daily hygiene instructions.
Implant supported crowns
Single crown restorations are most often used, since single missing teeth are most common. In traditional prosthodontics, to replace such missing teeth, dentists constructed fixed prosthetic bridges, by cutting down or preparing neighboring teeth. Implant support crowns on the other hand, spare neighboring teeth. They can be placed 3 to 6 months after implantation. The following depicts the procedure:
- Frist visit – the dentist uncovers the implant by incising the gingiva, in order to place a healing cap for soft tissue/gingiva shaping.
- Second visit – once the gingiva is shaped after approximately 14 days of wearing healing caps, the dentist takes an impression with transfers and an opposing arch impression.
At this point, the laboratory technician prepares the implant-supported crown. - Third visit – the dentist cements the restoration.
Implant supported bridges
Such restorations enable the replacement of multiple missing teeth. They can be placed 3 to 6 months after implantation, identically as in single implant supported crows. The following depicts the procedure:
- Frist visit – the dentist uncovers the implant by incising the gingiva, in order to place a healing cap for soft tissue/gingiva shaping.
- Second visit – once the gingiva is shaped after approximately 14 days of wearing healing caps, the dentist takes an impression with transfers and an opposing arch impression.
At this point, the laboratory technician prepares the implant-supported bridge. - Third visit – the dentist cements the restoration.
Removable implant supported prosthetics
There are numerous removable implant supported prosthetics, including full and partial dentures, with numerous retention systems available. Most commonly, full dentures require improvement in retention and stability, which in turn improves the quality of life of elderly patients. Using ball bearings, such a full denture is much more secure, stable and comfortable. In a lower removable implant supported denture 2 implants usually suffice
The following depicts the procedure:
- Frist visit – the dentist uncovers the implants by incising the gingiva, in order to place healing caps for soft tissue/gingiva shaping.
- Second visit – once the gingiva is shaped after approximately 14 days of wearing healing caps, the dentist attaches ball bearings and takes an impression.
At this point, the laboratory technician prepares an overdenture - Third visit – the dentist adjusts and delivers the denture to the patients.
Implant prosthodontics – Contemporary implant prosthetics have been an evolving dental discipline for over 50 years. The basic material comprising an implant is titanium (due to its biocompatibility-which the body doesn’t reject) or, increasingly more often, zirconium.
Implant supported restorations allow for a lasting esthetic effect and correction of stomatognatic function. However, existing implants do not ideally mimic natural teeth. This most physiologic way of restoring missing teeth, allows the elimination of discomfort often present with removable dentures. Moreover, implants allow excellent support for prosthetic restorations, improving esthetics and comfort.
Implant prosthetics comprises of surgical portion involving implantation and prosthetic portion or tooth restoration on said implant. The procedure involves implant placement in whole oral cavity or one that replaces just one missing tooth.
Benefits of implants
- Closest and most physiologic way to restore missing teeth. Implant acts as the root and prosthetic restoration as the clinical crown of the tooth
- Excellent esthetics and functionality, unrestricted smile and function of stomatognatic system
- Eliminates the need to prepare/cut down neighboring teeth
- Eliminates discomfort common to removable dentures which in turn cause unfavorable side effects in tissue supporting dentures
- Improves or avoids self confidence issues and positively benefits overall psychological health which may suffer as teeth are lost, especially in elderly patients
FAQ
Is implantation painful? The procedure is performed with local anesthetics and is pain-free. Painkillers, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory are prescribed which maximally protect from pain.
What is involved in implant placement? An incision is made in the gum the implant will be placed. A small hole is drilled in the bone, the implant is placed into the hole in the bone and the incision is stitched closed. At the end of the healing period prosthetic restorations are constructed such as crowns, bridges or dentures (overdentures).
Are there limitations to performing implantation? The dentist individually determines indications and contraindications during the first consultation visit. Yes, there are certain contraindications, however new technologies keep eliminating many of them as time goes by. For example, age is no longer a contraindication.
What is the success rate? Success rate is approximately 97%. If the first procedure isn’t definitive, however, replantation is possible.
What is the guarantee for dental implants? By following dentist instructions such as daily hygiene, and control visits there is no limit to the implant lifetime. The first implantation performed by professor Branemark is still in place 51 years later. Everything depends on individual clinical situation (quality and quantity of bone and type of prosthodontics restoration), and patient’s health. There is a guarantee for the actual procedure.
How should one care for implant supported dentures? Hygiene does not differ from caring for own teeth; including annual control visits and professional implant cleaning.
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