MediSherpa

Basic requirements for the successful installation of implants are a mouth free from inflammation in combination with precursory treatment of gingivitis and any other diseases which would negatively impact the integrity of the dental structure. Moreover, the patient should be at least 18 years of age, at which point jawbone growth is largely complete. The most important basic requirement for long-term implant preservation is a comprehensive and professional oral hygiene regimen.

Uncontrolled Type II diabetes is a significant relative contraindication as healing following any type of surgical procedure is delayed due to poor peripheral blood circulation. Anatomic considerations include the volume and height of bone available. Implants are contraindicated for some patients who take intravenous bisphosphonates.

Normally, an implant consists of three parts: the implant body which is anchored in the bone (in the form of a screw or cylinder), the implant framework (abutment or implant post) situated atop the tooth which functions as the connection between the implant body and the dental replacement, and a top-layer super-construction in the form of a fixed or removable dental replacement. After the completion of treatment, only the super-construction is outwardly visible. Implant installation is normally conducted using local anaethesia; more comprehensive measures may employ general anaethesia. After opening the mucous membrane in the affected area, a small hole is drilled into the bone with two different drills, thereby preparing an implantation bed. The holes drilled for screw-shaped implant bodies feature threaded walls so that the implant stays firmly anchored in the bone later on. The aforementioned boring template is usually employed during this process, allowing millimeter precision in the placement of the implant. A dental implant is a "root" device, usually made of titanium, used in dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth to replace missing teeth. Dental implants can be used to support a number of dental prostheses, including crowns, implant-supported bridges or dentures. They can also be used as anchorage for orthodontic tooth movement. The use of dental implants permits undirectional tooth movement without reciprocal action.

During the first session, you will be checked to see whether you satisfy the requirements for implants before any actual treatment begins. This is accomplished through a preliminary examination in which x-rays of your dental structure are prepared. Your teeth must not exhibit inflammation of any kind. It is very important that the potential implant-receiving region not be afflicted with caries. Additionally, the bone material in both the upper and lower jaws must be sufficiently dense. Your plan must also encompass any potential treatments that would be preconditions to implantation such as inflammation therapy or bone structure development (augmentation). Upon conclusion of these preparatory measures, you will work out your individual treatment plan together with your dentist. The various possibilities will be presented to you and eventually your treatment plan will be created; specifically, the number, material, form, and size of the implant(s) will be determined.

Possible complications during the operation are nerve and sinus injury, bleeding, and damage to neighboring teeth as well the bone material of the mandible. However, damage to structures situated within the mandible area is very rare when experienced surgeons operate. There are a number of risk factors which would promote early implant loss. Among them are nicotine use, poor overall health, and sugar-induced tooth decay. Further problem areas related to dental medicine would be untreated caries, infections in the tooth bed, inflammation, or alteration of the mucous membrane. To this end, the patient should adhere to a regular check-up schedule, maintain consistent oral hygiene, and refrain from teeth grinding or other similar habits.

About a week after the integration of the dental replacement the first check-up should take place. It should be noted that aftercare is just as important as professional installation and monitoring of the implant/dental replacement. Above all, this includes daily, exceedingly thorough cleaning of the teeth in order to avoid implant inflammations (periimplantitis) and the accumulation of film. Such inflammations are often the cause of significant damage. Sugar-induced tooth decay, smoking, and insufficient oral hygiene increase the risk of inflammation on or around the implant. When cleaning the teeth, you should make use of dental floss.