Implants

Implant: Permanent and Aesthetic Dental Treatment

Today, missing teeth can cause various health and aesthetic problems. At this point, implant treatment offers a permanent and natural solution to replace missing teeth.

Implants can be defined as artificial tooth roots made of titanium. This material is compatible with the body and has a long-lasting structure. The biggest advantage of implants is that they create a more solid foundation than other dental treatment methods because they are integrated into the jawbone.

Implant treatment is planned and applied individually according to the patient's tooth structure. In this way, a harmonious and natural appearance is achieved with other teeth. In addition, implants can fulfil the chewing function as effectively as natural teeth.

The treatment process usually consists of several stages: the placement of the implant in the jawbone, the healing process and the installation of the prosthetic tooth. Each stage is meticulously managed by specialised dentists and the patient's comfort is taken into account.

What is an Implant?

A dental implant is a screw, usually made of titanium, that is inserted into the mouth to replace the tooth root. The implant is placed in the jaw to replace one or more teeth to form the substructure of a crown, bridge or other dental prosthesis.

What are Implants for?

The purpose of implant placement is to restore your health, improve your chewing function and aesthetic appearance. There is no need to reduce the neighbouring teeth of the missing tooth and build a bridge. Or the patient does not have to use uncomfortable removable prostheses instead of using a fixed prosthesis that gives the feeling and comfort of natural teeth.

What Can Be Done If There Is Not Enough Bone For Implant?

When teeth are lost, the jawbone also begins to slowly dissolve. This is actually a general rule: In some cases, tooth extractions are very traumatic and there is much more bone loss than there should be.

In the upper jaw, there are bilateral sinuses in the area over the molars. These are structures that grow and change throughout life. When there are no teeth in their neighbourhood, sinus floor sagging and enlargement are very common because there is no limiting factor. When the base sags, the size of the bone that we will use for the implant in the toothless area is also reduced. In such cases, we need extra bone. Where, how and in what quantity we will put this bone varies according to the case. The most commonly used methods used for this purpose are as follows:

Sinus Lifting Procedures

It is used to obtain additional bone in cases where the sinus is sagging and to place the implants in a healthy way. It can be performed with open and closed technique.

Open Sinus Lift

A suitable biomaterial is placed between the bone and mucosa and closed. It is waited for about 6 months for the formation of solid bone. If the situation is suitable, implants can also be placed in the same session with this procedure.

Closed Sine Lifting

It is used when the amount of bone under the sinus is at least 5mm. In this technique, while preparing the slots in which the implants will be placed, it remains about 2 mm below the sinus floor and this bone is broken with a small blow and carried upwards, so that the mucosa is saved from the trauma of the rotating instruments used and carried upwards without tearing. Generally, sufficient space is provided for the implant without the need for additional biomaterial (commonly known as bone powder).

Block Bone Grafts

Autogenous Bone Graft

In some cases, it may be necessary to increase the bone in the horizontal direction, that is, to expand it. In cases where the width is less than 5mm, the patient's own bone is often used, which gives better results than synthetic biomaterials. This is called autogenous bone graft. Bone fragments (block bone grafts) to be taken from the tip of the jaw or from the area close to the posterior angle of the lower jaw, which we call ramus, can be placed in the area to be expanded. Again, it is expected that the bone reaches the quality we want for about 6 months and implants are made.

How long to wait for prosthesis after implantation?

Depending on the surface properties of the implant used, the time of fusion with the bone varies between 3 weeks and 6 months. As a result of prostheses made before this fusion is fully achieved, the destructive force on the implants may cause the loss of the implant. During this waiting period, the patient is never toothless. A temporary prosthesis that the physician deems appropriate is made. At the end of the fusion period, the construction of permanent prostheses takes approximately 5-7 days.

Does the Body Reject the Implant?

No, this is a complete misunderstanding! The main material of implants is titanium and titanium is completely biologically compatible. The failure of an implant may be due to poor sterilisation during the procedure, unwanted forces on the implants during the healing period, the patient's lack of attention to oral hygiene or the presence of an old infection in the area. Scientifically, the success rate of implants is 98 per cent.

Is Implant Application Painful?

Since local anaesthesia is applied before implantation, the patient does not feel pain during the procedure. If the doctor's recommendations are followed and the medications given are used regularly, it is not difficult after the procedure.

Can the implant be applied to everyone?

It can be applied to anyone who has completed their growth and development, has a good general health condition, and whose bone quantity and quality are appropriate. Problems related to bone quantity can be solved with some bone formation methods.

How long does an implant last?

Implants are not at risk of being lost by decay. However, if they are not cleaned well, they begin to lose the bone around them. If the patient continues to neglect cleaning, the implant may be lost.

As long as you follow your doctor's recommendations and pay attention to your oral health, implant treatment offers you teeth that you can use for a lifetime. An implant can be applied in about 5-10 minutes. The total duration of the operation varies according to how many implants will be made and whether additional procedures are required.