When a tooth is lost, one of the methods to replace it is through implant treatment. An implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium that is surgically placed into the jawbone in areas where teeth are missing. After biological fusion with the bone (Osseointegration), a porcelain tooth is placed on it. In terms of appearance and chewing sensation, implants are the closest to natural teeth. They can be made as a fixed prosthesis without touching adjacent healthy teeth, from single tooth loss to multiple tooth loss, or for those using removable prostheses, they can be made as fixed prostheses or implant-supported removable prostheses.
What are the benefits of implant treatment?
Implant treatment is a highly convenient, comfortable, durable, aesthetic, and widely accepted treatment option for patients. Porcelain prostheses placed on implants provide a natural and aesthetic appearance while replacing missing teeth, without affecting healthy teeth. It offers an important advantage by not touching healthy teeth while completing missing teeth. It is a much longer-lasting treatment compared to all other prostheses. By increasing the patient’s self-confidence, it eliminates the negative psychological effects of tooth loss.
Is implant treatment long-lasting?
Currently, there are implants with clinical follow-ups of 35-40 years. If properly selected implants are planned and placed correctly in the appropriate case, and if the patient pays necessary attention to oral hygiene, implants can remain in the mouth for a very long time without any problems.
Can implants be applied to every patient?
There is no upper age limit to implant treatment as long as the patient’s general health condition is good. However, implants may not be suitable for patients who are very young and whose bone development is not completed.
The area where the implant will be placed must have sufficient height and width of the jawbone. Additionally, the quality of the bone is also one of the factors affecting the success of the implant. Besides, the gum tissues and adjacent anatomical structures are also important in implant application.
Will I feel pain when implants are placed?
In implant treatment, if appropriate anesthesia is applied, there will be no pain. There may be some pain similar to that after tooth extraction after the procedure. Generally, this pain, which can be felt on the evening of the implant, can be relieved with a simple painkiller.
How long is the total treatment time?
Implant treatment is performed in two stages. The duration of placing implants depends on the number of implants to be placed, but the placement of one implant takes approximately 15 (fifteen) minutes. However, this time may vary depending on the current condition of the teeth and bones. The second stage, the prosthesis stage, is approximately 3-4 months after the placement of the implants. This period also includes the total treatment time. During this time, temporary prostheses can be made to minimize losses in terms of aesthetics and function.
How long after implants are placed can my prostheses be attached?
Implants fully integrate with the bone approximately 3-4 months after placement. During the healing period, excessive loads on the implants should be minimized. A temporary prosthesis can be made during the healing period as long as excessive loads are not applied to the implants. However, permanent prostheses can only be made after the integration of the implants into the jawbone is completed.
In cases of additional bone tissue formation, treatment time can be extended to 6-12 months due to the new bone formation period caused by bone augmentation (bone graft or block bone addition) or sinus lifting (lifting the sinus cavity hanging in the upper jaw after tooth extraction).
Is one implant necessary for each missing tooth?
Generally, such a procedure is not necessary. If the number of adjacent missing teeth is more than two, a bridge prosthesis can be made to the toothless area by leaving gaps between the implants.
However, in some cases, if the bone quality is insufficient, it may be necessary to plan a single implant instead of a bridge. In the presence of such a situation noticed during the procedure, the dentists inform the patients by providing additional information about the situation.
What happens if implants do not integrate with the jawbone?
If implants are properly placed, the probability of this happening is very low. This condition usually occurs within the first 3 months after implant placement. In such a case, the implant can be removed easily with a procedure as simple as tooth extraction, and if there is not much bone loss, a thicker implant can be placed. If there is a lot of bone loss, after the healing of the bone, a new implant can be placed, or one of the classic type prostheses can be preferred.
What are the advantages of implant treatment?
Implant treatment primarily provides new healthy teeth to replace missing ones. Unlike procedures such as bridge prosthesis where the teeth around the missing tooth are cut, in implant treatment, other teeth are not touched.
Implants are the most prosthetic method closest to your own teeth in terms of appearance and function. Thanks to the healthy teeth replacing the missing teeth, a healthy chewing function is obtained, and more serious and difficult-to-treat problems such as future stomach problems, anatomical disorders in other teeth, jaw joint problems, and a decrease in the amount of jawbone in the area where the missing tooth is located are prevented.
