Not everyone is lucky enough to have perfect teeth, fortunately there is now a large choice of various technologies to improve the quality of the teeth, and thereby the patient’s quality of life. One of these technologies is called implantology, which means the science of placing dental implants.

TOOTH VS IMPLANT

A TOOTH IS MADE UP OF TWO DISTINCT PARTS:

• The root, under the gum, anchored in the bone
• The crown, visible above the gums

AN IMPLANT, ON THE OTHER HAND, CONSISTS OF THREE PARTS:

• The implant – false root anchored in the bone
• The abutment – ​​screwed into the implant
• The crown / prosthesis – screwed or cemented on the implant abutment

THE ROLE OF THE DENTAL IMPLANT

It is never pleasant when one or more teeth are missing or in poor condition. We hesitate to smile so that people don’t see our teeth, and above all we have trouble eating and digesting.

This is where the dental implant comes in since it comes to replace a complete tooth or to be the support for a bridge of several teeth or for a complete dental prosthesis. The implants are not only there for aesthetics, but above all to allow patients to be able to eat by chewing food properly.

REASONS FOR MISSING TOOTH(S)

• Extraction of diseased or broken teeth
• General disease of the jaw
• Fall or blow to the mouth or jaw

WHEN IS THE IMPLANT NECESSARY?

• Fixing a crown on a tooth
• Attachment of a bridge replacing several teeth
• Fixing a complete dental prosthesis

REASONS FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF REPLACING MISSING TEETH

1. When one or more teeth are missing, the neighboring teeth lose part of their resistance as well as their stability since they no longer have the support of the missing ones. They may also gradually lean towards the side of the missing tooth or teeth.
2. This also has a great influence on the chewing of food and therefore on digestion. When food is not chewed properly, digestion can no longer take place normally and may even cause serious problems.
3. The jaw bone is also influenced by the lack of tooth(s) and it risks atrophying.

A person who is missing one or more teeth often loses a good deal of their self-esteem and self-confidence, especially if the missing tooth or teeth are in the visible part of the teeth.

OUR SPECIALISTS

Dr. Joseph-Thierry Maarek: Dental Surgeon – Implantologist

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF IMPLANTS?

• The implants make it possible to restore to the patients a complete smile, and thus restore their esteem and self-confidence.
• Implants are the long-lasting solution for missing teeth.
• The implants make it possible to reduce the sagging of the features of the face due to the aging of the face, while avoiding the atrophy of the jaw bone.

WHAT MATERIAL IS THE IMPLANT MADE OF?

The implant is almost always made of titanium, which is a very light metal but of incredible resistance and which is anticorrosive. It also has the immense advantage of being biocompatible with the bones, that is to say that the human body does not reject it during a transplant or an intervention such as the implant which is screwed directly in the bone.

This comes from the fact that the bone, which is a living material, invades and amalgamates little by little with the titanium until the two are practically included in one another. This is one of the reasons why implants are so strong and stable, since they are part of the bone.

HOW IS A DENTAL IMPLANT PLACED?

The placement of an implant is done during surgery under local anesthesia.

The implant is actually a titanium screw that is inserted and screwed into the jawbone, which forms an artificial root. On it will be screwed the abutment, which is the one on which a crown, a bridge or a dental prosthesis will be installed. If it is a single tooth, a crown will replace it.

If there is more than one tooth to be replaced, a bridge will be put in their place, and if all the teeth are missing, a complete prosthesis will be installed. Whether it is the lower or upper jaw has no influence, the same is true for both when it comes to implants.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR PATIENTS

Q. Does installing the implant cause pain?
A. No, no pain because it is done under local anesthesia.
Q. Is the patient at risk for allergy or rejection?
A. The implant is made of titanium which is a biocompatible material.
Q. How long does it take for the implant to be firmly attached to the bone and healed?
A. Usually 3 months.
Q. Can a temporary prosthesis be placed on the implant during healing?
A. Only in certain cases.
Q. Do I need to take any medications after the implant installation?
R.Yes, antibiotics that must be taken for the entire prescribed period.
Q. What is the success rate of implant placement?
A. The success rate is 97% with 3% rejection.
Q. What is the lifespan of an implant?
A. The lifespan of an implant: no minimum – lifetime maximum

Q. What is the longevity of a crown or prosthesis?
A. Shorter than that of the implant, they are in the open air and are used daily.

TIPS FOR A PERFECT ASSIMILATION OF THE IMPLANT

• Above all, do not smoke before and after the installation of an implant, if possible stop completely. The risk of implant failure or loss has been clearly demonstrated by several studies.
• Take the antibiotics all the way, don’t stop on the way.
• Eat liquid or soft foods at least during the first days, avoid chewing on the side of the implant for a few weeks.
• Do not brush the implant site for 24 hours.
• Rest at least a few days without doing too much physical effort.

HOW TO MAINTAIN THE IMPLANTS?

Implants are no different from natural teeth and therefore require the same daily maintenance. Oral hygiene is very important and consists of brushing the teeth, if possible at least twice a day, and the use of dental floss. It is also essential to maintain crowns, bridges or complete dentures in the same way, brushing them at least twice a day.

For complete dentures, the patient removes them during the night, it is advisable to put them in lukewarm water with one of the many special products for the specific cleaning of dental prostheses. These products are most often found in the form of cleansing tablets.

CONTRAINDICATIONS TO DENTAL IMPLANT

• Certain cancers or other bone diseases
• Certain radiation therapy treatments
• Certain treatments for osteoporosis such as taking Bi-Phosphonates
• Heart problems
• HIV status
• heavy smoking
• Not before the end of dental growth, around 17 or 18 years old.
• Pregnancy
• Insufficient bones