A Swiss implant (artificial tooth root) is a tooth replacement option after a tooth is lost or extracted. Implants are surgically placed in your jawbone, mirroring the shape of a screw, and bond with your natural bone. They provide a foundation to support dental crowns (artificial teeth).
An abutment (a retaining tooth) is placed between the implant and the crown to hold everything together. Abutments also attach crowns to dental bridges, removable dentures, and dentures.
Dental implants have been a successful dental restoration for over 30 years. More than 5 million dental implants are placed in dental offices each year.
A dental implant is a type of prosthesis in which a titanium screw or cylinder is placed in the lower or upper jaw. After a healing period of 3 to 6 months, the dental structure attached to the implant (crown, bridge, or denture) is placed. The implant is now firmly rooted in the jaw and is sufficiently resistant.
If treated with care (oral hygiene), implants guarantee a great outlook on life due to their remarkable similarity to your teeth in terms of stability, appearance,e, and function, which no other type of prosthesis can offer.
Unlike conventional bridges, dental implants have the advantage of not damaging the surrounding teeth. With traditional bridges, neighboring teeth must be slightly filed down to accommodate the dental bridge, which weakens the enamel and makes the tooth more susceptible to decay.
The cost of dental implants is divided into at least two cost factors.
Since the cost of dental implants depends on each case, it is not easy to provide exact details in advance.
Unlike immediate implants, conventional dental implants are not placed until the jawbone has healed, which takes between 3 and 6 months. During this time, parts of the bone are absorbed and the gums adapt to it. Especially the area around the previous tooth, which is now not exposed to any growth stimuli due to the pressure of the other tooth, is partially corrected. Only when this process is completed and the bone has taken on a permanent and stable shape, can the dental implant be started.
Extensive and careful planning must be carried out before the surgery. First of all, the oral surgeon will have a consultation with you, who will reveal your underlying diseases (some make surgery impossible), your current complaints, and your wishes. This is followed by a complete examination of your teeth.
The teeth, especially the distance between your teeth and the jawbone (stability and thickness). For the treatment, a surgical template with all the necessary measurements of your teeth and a planning model will be created.
If the jawbone is not strong enough or thick enough, bone augmentation must first be performed. For this purpose, artificial or autologous bone substitute materials are used, which are placed in the jawbone area to grow.
This is important because the future implant has an artificial tooth root that is inserted directly into the bone. The overall strength of the implant and any bridge or prosthesis attached to it depends on secure growth into the bone.
After all precautions have been taken and planning has been completed, the actual treatment can begin. Dental implantation is a multi-step procedure.
It begins with the placement of the part of the tooth that is located in the bone. This stage of the treatment is usually performed in an outpatient setting and under local anesthesia. If desired, half-sleep can be made possible during the procedure (analgesic sedation). After anesthesia, the gum and periosteum are cut and set aside at the appropriate point.
The drill can now expose the bone to the required depth and thickness of the subsequent implant). The lower part of the implant can then be inserted and the gum above it can be completely or partially closed.
The healing of the wound below takes about ten days and can be supported with cooling and painkillers. The implant currently has a healing phase of about 3-6 months, whereby the upper jaw heals faster than the lower jaw. During this time, a temporary prosthesis can cover the implant area.
After the implant has grown, a superstructure is made. For this purpose, the gums are opened again in a second surgery and the implant is connected to the crown or prosthesis by a connecting piece (stick).
Like any surgery, dental implants also carry risks such as bleeding, and bone or nerve damage. In particular, nerve damage in the lower jaw area can lead to numbness of the lips, teeth, and oral mucosa.
Damage to the bones, for example, penetration into the maxillary sinus, can cause the inflammation to spread, not only to the bones (osteomyelitis, but also through the maxillary sinuses to the brain, where it can lead to meningitis. To prevent this, such surgeries are performed in the hands of experienced oral and dental surgeons.
Regular check-ups are essential for the period between the surgical procedures and after implantation. The oral surgeon will review the condition of the implant and general oral health, and will also answer questions about implant hygiene, which is essential for the permanent preservation of dental implants. The most common cause of implant loss is poor oral hygiene and the resulting inflammation.
Everyone who needs implants wants the best medical care. Therefore, the patient is wondering where to find the best implantologist.
Theoretically, any dentist can place dental implants. However, some additional qualifications prove the dentist’s competence in the field of implantology.
In addition to the acquired certificates, the experience of a dentist in Richmond Hill, oral surgeon, or maxillofacial surgeon is one of the important reasons for qualification. In addition, implantologists have modern technology and use high-quality materials. Computer-aided implant planning using 3D digital implantology offers excellent safety for patients and is essential in an implantology practice.