Dental implants are made of titanium or zirconium ceramic and are anchored directly in the jawbone with the help of a screw or cylinder. Dental implants take on the function of artificial tooth roots and serve as a support for dentures.
Here you will find all the important information and specialists for dental implants.
Dental implants are inserted directly into the jawbone under local anesthesia. In some cases, the bone is built up beforehand in order to anchor the dental implant firmly and stably.
Dental implants are used when one or more teeth are missing, if this affects aesthetics, chewing and, in some cases, speech. Dental implants replace the missing tooth root and support the tooth replacement.
Dental implants offer a number of advantages over other methods:
The materials used for dental implants must be highly biocompatible and strong. So far, titanium and zirconium ceramic have proven themselves for dental implants. Titanium is very robust, very light and is very well accepted by the body. Allergies or rejection reactions are very rare.
Zirconium ceramic is considered a possible alternative to titanium. The light-colored design of the ceramic dental implant is advantageous. It is virtually impossible for the dental implant to show through. The high material costs and the lack of evidence of long-term effectiveness can be seen as disadvantages.
Dental implants have the shape of a cylinder or a screw. Further differences between the various manufacturers exist in the design, the surface structure and the type of connection between the dental implant body and the dental prosthesis.
The costs can basically be divided into four different areas:
The cost of dental implants varies greatly depending on the type and severity of the procedure, the material used and the number of dental implants. As an approximate value for a single dental implant, costs in the low four-digit range can be assumed.
Before a dental implant is inserted, the entire oral cavity must be completely restored. If all teeth are in perfect condition, the number, length, diameter and location of the dental implant is determined. Surgical templates can be made using plaster casts of the jaw, which can be used as support during the insertion of the dental implant.
Dental implants are usually inserted on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia. If several dental implants are required, it is possible to put the patient into twilight sleep or to insert the dental implants under general anesthesia.
When anchoring the dental implant, the mucous membrane over the jawbone is opened with an incision. A special drill is used to expose a channel in the bone into which the screw-shaped dental implants are screwed. In most cases, the previously prepared surgical template is used to ensure precise positioning of the dental implant. The dental implant is then screwed into the bone. The mucous membrane is closed with a suture after the dental implant has been inserted.
A distinction is made between closed and open healing. With closed healing, the dental implant is completely enclosed; with open healing, the dental implant is visible from above. The area must be cooled after the procedure. Swelling and bruising are occasionally reported, but these will subside after a week at the latest.
When placing a dental implant, the quality of the bone is essential for the stability of the dental implant. If bone atrophy has already become noticeable in the jaw due to prolonged edentulism and the bone mass is no longer sufficient for a dental implant, the bone must be artificially augmented. The use of bone replacement materials promotes the natural reconstruction of the bone. Bone augmentation in preparation for a dental implant may be necessary in both the upper and lower jaw. However, the process is fundamentally different.
When anchoring the dental implant in the upper jaw, the bone tends to lose width before it loses height. In the lower jaw, the bone flattens out and becomes wider. Depending on the initial situation, bone augmentation is possible using the sinus lift, bone spreading, bone splitting, distraction osteogenesis, socket preservation, bone block transplantation, alveolar ridge augmentation and cavity technique.
As a rule, it takes around 6 to 12 weeks for the dental implant to fuse firmly with the bone. A temporary restoration is often placed on the dental implants during the healing period. Aesthetic reasons, restoration of chewing function and also protection of the dental implant are reasons for using a temporary restoration.
The final prosthesis is made by taking an impression of the jaw. When anchoring the dental prosthesis to the dental implant, a distinction is made between screw-retained and bonded methods. Dental implants are designed to remain in the jaw for a lifetime. Special examination methods are used to check the strength and stability of the dental implant at follow-up appointments after it has been inserted.
Both intraoperative and postoperative complications can occur when using dental implants.
The risks during the operation include
The postoperative risks associated with dental implants include
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