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Implants

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Implants

Dental implants offer solutions to problems of missing teeth that previously required treatment either by drilling the neighboring teeth to build a bridge or with partial/ complete dentures that are not stable in the mouth.

They are made of titanium alloy which is well accepted by the body and has been used for many years in orthopedics. They are shaped like a screw so they can be placed in the jaw and replace the root of a missing tooth.

The restoration process with dental implants includes the following stages:

Pre-operative check: The medical history is checked. In general, most people can have dental implants unless there is a medical problem that prohibits invasive procedures in the mouth.In the second phase, the existing dental problems and especially the health of the gums are treated. If periodontitis is present, it is necessary to undergo treatment before starting the implantation process. Afterwards, the adequacy of the jaw bone in both width and height is evaluated. The diagnosis will be based on clinical measurements and radiographic images with a specialized imaging method (cone beam computed tomography, CBCT). If the bone is deemed sufficient, the number, location and dimensions of the implants to be placed are then determined.
Implant placement surgery: It is performed under local anesthesia in the dental office. There will be a waiting period ranging from 4-6 months. During this time the implant is integrated into the jaw with a very strong connection, able to withstand the chewing forces. This phenomenon is called osseointegration and is the key element of the long-term success of implants.
Implant success check: After the waiting period, the implants are checked, both clinically and radiographically. The implant should be immobile, and its presence should not cause pain of any kind of irritation to the surrounding tissues. According to scientific research, success rates are 95-97%.
Uncovering the implants: It is a second small-scale operation during which a small incision is made in the gums in order to gain access to the underlying implants. A screw is then placed that protrudes from the implant and the gums are sutured around this screw. 7-10 days later the restoration of the implant can begin.
Construction and placement of implant prothesis: It is the final stage of the process. Special components are placed inside the implants (impression posts) and an impression is taken for the construction of the prosthetic teeth (crowns). The completion of the process closely mimics the processes used to make crowns on natural teeth. This procedure is carried out by the treating dentist/prosthodontist.