Implants are a new step forward in the history of dentistry. Implant treatment can change your life! If you have lost one or several teeth and feel discomfort, and removable prostheses do not satisfy you, implants can be a great solution.
A dental implant is a titanium screw, inserted carefully into the bone, which acts as a support for one or several teeth. In the beginning of 1960s researchers noticed that the metal titanium has an ability to merge with bone tissue. This process of joining and bonding with the bone was named “osseointegration”.
After years of careful research and studies, dental implants (titanium cylinders placed into the jawbone to support replacement teeth) have made some pleasant surprises. There are now patients who have had implants for more than twenty-five years!
In addition, implants can provide support and stability to loose dentures.
Therefore implants are the optimal solution to replace missing teeth. They look just like natural teeth, have great aesthetics and perform the chewing function perfectly.
If you have lost one or more teeth, you may be familiar with the unpleasant consequences. Having lost some teeth, many patients avoid smiling, have difficulty chewing.
In these cases, dentists can replace missing teeth using bridges, removable partial prostheses and dentures; however, these options have their drawbacks. Bridges require preparation (grinding) of adjacent teeth. Partial and complete dentures can, at times, be unstable, impede speech and cause pain.
Another problem caused by tooth loss is the shrinking (atrophy) of the jawbone. This process progresses over the years. Bone atrophy not only affects jaw function, but can cause adverse facial aesthetic changes. When bone loss is extensive, many procedures are required before implantation.
Implants are an impressive advance in dental sciences and an effective solution to tooth loss.
Dental implants are usually completed in two stages.
Local anaesthesia is performed and the implant is screwed into the bone. Sometimes sedation is employed to help the patient feel calm and relaxed. Implantation is a precise and gentle surgical procedure. It takes less than an hour and is easier to bear than tooth extraction. After surgery there is a waiting period for the implant to bond with the bone (in the lower jaw it usually takes 2, in the upper jaw – 5 months). During this time, the patient is not left without teeth. Temporary “teeth” are fabricated to ensure function and aesthetics, but allowing the implant and the bone to join. In exceptionally favourable cases it is possible to have permanent “teeth” in a few weeks or even on the same day as the implantation.
A new “tooth” is fixed to the implant in the bone. Dental implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth or complete dental arches. Your dentist will recommend the best option for you.
Dental implants are an effective, safe and predictable solution to missing teeth. Our patients often report the following benefits:
Implants are a tried and tested treatment. More than 90 % of modern implants last for 10 years or more. They are firmly secured to the bone. One must not forget, however, that implants require thorough cleaning, just like natural teeth. If they are not cared for, gum inflammation and bone shrinkage can occur. Patients are advised to see a dental hygienist on a regular basis to look after the implants and tell how to take care of them at home.
Friend of your teeth, Amicus Dentis
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