Dental Implant

When and how did the process of dental implants begin?

It is indisputable that our main priority should be to maintain the natural condition of our teeth in the oral cavity. Extraction should be the last option when all attempts at treatment have failed. In recent years, there has been a change in the attitude of patients regarding the effort to preserve natural teeth. Today, patients are looking for alternatives and are becoming more informed to ensure the health of their natural teeth and correct possible incorrect treatments that may lead to the need for extraction. The use of modern technology and advanced methods, combined with expert advice, allows the preservation of teeth that initially seem “doomed”. Thus, the need for extraction is avoided and results are offered that meet modern health and aesthetic requirements.

What is an implant?

In dental terminology, when we refer to dental implants, we mean artificial tooth roots made of various metals or other biocompatible materials. These implants are placed in the jawbone to support a tooth, a bridge, or a partial or full denture. Typically, their material is titanium, a biocompatible metal that has been used for many years in orthopedics for fracture reduction. Today, the choice of restoration with dental implants is a reality and is not considered experimental, but a reliable, sustainable and feasible solution with high standards for a long-term result.

What does a dental implant consist of?

First, to understand the analogy between a natural tooth and a dental implant, let’s look at the parts of a tooth. A natural tooth consists of two main parts: the molar and the root. The molar is the visible area of the tooth that is above the gum line and is visible in the mouth. The root, on the other hand, is below the gum line and is not visible, as it sinks into the jawbone.

The dental implant, which undertakes to replace the root of a natural tooth, consists of three main parts. First, there is the implant itself, which is placed in the jawbone and takes on the role of the root. Second, there is the connector (abutment), which connects the implant to the third part. This third part is the socket, which replaces the molar of the tooth and is the visible part of the dental implant seen in the mouth.

What are the advantages of dental implants?

The use of dental implants offers a number of benefits and priorities for the restoration of teeth:

1. Protection of the adjacent teeth and dentition: The use of implants preserves the dentition and protects the adjacent dental tissues, avoiding the need to grind other teeth to restore the missing one.

2. Maintenance of Alveolar Bone Height: The osseointegration that occurs around implants maintains the height of the alveolar bone in areas of tooth loss.

3. Aesthetics: Dental implants replace the natural tooth with a faithful copy, preserving the contour of the soft tissues (gums) for a natural appearance.

4. Masticatory Ability: They provide excellent masticatory ability without the instability that can occur with mobile prosthetic work.

5. Long-term Solution: The use of dental implants provides a reliable and long-term solution, with highly predictable results.

6. Financial Consistency: In the long run, it is a more economical solution compared to other alternatives such as bridges or full/partial dentures that may require replacement at some point.

7. Comfortable speech and facial reshaping: Patients enjoy comfortable speech and facial reshaping, offering a boost to their confidence.

Overall, the use of dental implants represents a modern, reliable and aesthetically pleasing solution for the restoration of missing teeth.

What are the disadvantages of dental implants?

Although dental implants offer many advantages, as we described earlier, it is true that there are some negative and limiting elements.

1. Waiting Time: Waiting for the osseointegration to be completed can be a sudden change in the person’s daily life, as it takes about 2-3 months before the final restoration is possible.

2. Cost: Financial cost can be a challenge for some patients. However, it is noted that despite the initial high cost, the long-term value of implants may make this solution cost-effective compared to other prosthetic options that may require more frequent conservative care or replacement.

It is important to consider the advantages