Dental Implant Process

How does it work?

Dental implants can be made of titanium or zirconia. An implant is comprised of three parts: the implant device itself that serves as substitute for the tooth root, the overlying crown or denture, and the abutment, which connects the implant device to the crown, bridge, or denture. Once the abutment is screwed into the implant, and the tissue sutured, it is left to heal and become stable. The implant gets fused to the jawbone after a period of 4 to 6 months.

What is bone grafting?

Bone grafting is the placement of either natural or synthetic bone material to an area where natural bone is not sufficient. During the procedure, the surgeon will take a section of bone from another area of your body (usually the hip) or use synthetic bone material to graft it onto your jaw bone. Bone grafting will require additional time before the actual dental implant procedure can start as it can take up to several months for the graft to create new, strong bone. When only a minor bone graft is needed, you might be able to have the procedure at the same time as the implant surgery. A panoramic dental x-ray and a CT scan will help check the amount of bone available to determine whether bone grafting is necessary for the implant placement.

In combination with bone grafting, a sinus lift may be required: when the bone is added between your upper jaw and the maxillary sinuses (one of the sinuses located near the nose), the sinus membrane needs to be moved upward (or “lifted”) to make room for the bone.

Who is not eligible for dental implants?

Dental implants are usually not recommended for:

• Patients who present symptoms of advanced gum disease or periodontal disease.
• Patients who are taking steroids, are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments, who have diabetes, uncontrolled coagulation disorders, osteoporosis, or a weakened immune system.
• Individuals who present serious tooth decay should take corrective measures beforehand.

What does a dental implant procedure involve?

The timing of the dental implants procedure, and the number of visits required, is largely dependent on each individual, specifically on how quickly the implanted tooth and surrounding area heals and if the patient needs bone grafting. When bone grafting is not required, the complete procedure (from the consultation visit to the last one, where the permanent crown is placed) can take 5 to 6 months. When bone grafting is required, the treatment can take up to 12 months to be completed.

Below are the 6 steps that must occur in order to get a dental implant:

1. Treatment plan: In order to determine the best treatment plan for each individual’s needs, the oral surgeon will need an updated x-ray of the patient’s mouth. The surgeon will then be able to evaluate the health of the teeth and determine if teeth extraction, bone grafting, or sinus lifting will be needed for the dental implant. During the first personal consultation, the dentist might also order additional examinations or request a CT scan to check bone mass.
2. Bone grafting (when necessary): If the natural bone is not sufficient, bone grafting may be necessary. A bone graft involves the placement of either natural or synthetic bone material so that the implant will be stable and secure. Depending on the quantity of additional bone mass necessary, a bone graft can be performed at the same time as implant surgery or in a separate session.
3. Implantation: The surgery time depends on the number of implants needed and the overall health of the patient’s mouth. Depending on the complexity of the procedure, surgery can last anywhere from less than an hour to up to 6 hours. The procedure occurs under local anesthesia and is the same regardless of how many implants are necessary. The gum tissue is opened to expose the bone area where the implant will be placed. Once the jawbone is exposed, the dentist will use a special drill to create the space for the implant in the bone. The implant is then placed into the jawbone and the gums are stitched closed over the implant. Your surgeon will place a temporary crown or retainer to fill the hole created.
4. Healing: Osseointegration, the process in which the implant becomes a part of the jaw, takes about 4 to 6 months to complete. This is usually referred to as the healing period.
5. Final restoration: When the gum tissue is fully healed and ready, it is re-exposed to attach the abutment to the implant. The doctor will then take impressions of the mouth to create a crown in a dental laboratory that will be shaded to match the existing teeth. This process can take anywhere from 4 to 10 days. Once the custom-made crown is ready, it is placed over the abutment, and the final prosthetic crown appears as a natural tooth.
6. After care: Some small bruises and swelling in the gum may occur right after surgery. Patients should avoid smoking and eating solid food until the gums are healed. The long-term success of an implant requires oral hygiene. It is paramount to keep implants, artificial teeth, and gum tissue clean, just like natural teeth. Moreover, it is advised to do regular check- ups (preferably every 6-12 months) to check oral hygiene, and the function and stability of the implant.

What types of dental implant are there?

Below, the most frequently used brands for dental implants:

Biohorizons: Alpha-Bio implants are made from a titanium alloy, which is extremely resistant and durable as well as highly biocompatible with the human body.

Bego: The implants from Ankylos are made from purely neutral titanium, ensuring the highest level of compatibility with the human body. The shape is specially designed to ensure perfect fixing after restoration.

Straumann Roxolit: AstraTech implants are designed for immediate restoration and are made of titanium.

Straumann Active Roxolit: Nobel Biocare implants are made from pure titanium and are cold-worked for durability and strength.

What should I expect from a dental implant procedure?

Here’s what to expect before and after your treatment:

• Before implant session

You may need to have a teeth cleaning done before the actual dental implant procedure can start. Depending on the condition of your teeth, you might need 1 or up to 4 sessions (one session every week).

• After implant session

After the implant session - that is when the implant is inserted into your jawbone - you might feel discomfort or pain once the anaesthesia has worn off. Moreover, some small bruises and swelling in the gum may occur. You may be restricted to a soft-food diet for about a week. Healing time after this procedure ranges from 4 to 6 months.

• After the following sessions

Once your healing time is complete, the following sessions will involve taking impressions of your teeth, creating custom-made crowns for your implants and doing some tests to see if the crowns fit and feel good in your mouth. Then, the crown will be sealed to your implant. You can go back to your routine activities right after.

• Once treatment is complete (4 to 6 months after implantation)