Dental Implant

Definition: What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a form of artificial dentures in which a titanium screw or cylinder is inserted into the mandible or maxilla. After a healing time of 3 to 6 months, the dental structure connected to the implant (crown, bridge, or prosthesis) is put on. The implant has now grown firmly into the jaw and is sufficiently robust. If implants are treated carefully (oral hygiene), they guarantee an excellent attitude of life due to the significant similarity to your teeth in terms of stability, appearance, and function, which no other type of prosthetics can offer.

Implant or Bridge? What Are the Advantages of a Dental Implant?

In contrast to a conventional bridge, a dental implant offers the advantage that surrounding teeth are not damaged. With a traditional bridge, the neighboring teeth have to be ground for fixation, which weakens the enamel and makes the tooth more sensitive to caries.

Costs: How Much Does a Dental Implant Cost?

The cost of a dental implant is divided into at least two cost factors.

1. Fees for inserting the implant into the jaw
2. Charges for the prosthesis on the implant

Since the cost of a dental implant depends on the individual case, it isn't very easy to give exact details in advance.

On the following pages, you can find out about the costs of implant surgery.

• Prices for an implant in Switzerland
• Prices for a dental implant in Germany
• Prices for a dental implant in Austria

Procedure: How Is the Insertion of a Dental Implant Carried Out?

In contrast to an immediate implant, a conventional dental implant is not inserted until the wound cavity in the jawbone has healed, which takes between 3 and 6 months. During this time, parts of the bone are resorbed, and the gums adapt to this. Especially, the region surrounding the former tooth, which is now not exposed to any growth stimulus due to pressure from the tooth anymore, reforms to a certain extent. Only when this process is completed, and the bone has taken on a permanent and stable form, the dental implantation can be started.

Before the surgery, extensive and careful planning must take place. First of all, the oral surgeon will have a consultation with you (medical history interview), which will reveal your underlying diseases (some make surgery impossible), your current complaints, wishes, etc. This is followed by a thorough examination of your dentition, teeth, especially the gap between your teeth and the jawbone (stability and thickness). For the treatment, a surgical template with all the necessary measurements of your dentition and a planning model is created.

If the jawbone does not have sufficient strength or thickness, bone augmentation is necessary first. For this purpose, either artificial or autologous bone replacement material is used, which is inserted into the area of the jawbone for growing. This is important because the future implant will have an artificial tooth root, which is inserted directly into the bone (either screwed or as a pin). The entire strength of the implant and any bridges or prostheses attached to it depends on the secure growth into the bone.

Once all precautions have been taken, and the planning is complete, the actual treatment can begin. Dental implantation is a procedure in several steps.

• It begins with the placement of the section of the tooth that is located in the bone. This treatment step usually takes place in an outpatient setting and under local anesthesia. If desired, half-sleep can be made possible during the procedure (analgesic sedation). After the anesthesia, the gums and periosteum are cut in the right spot and pushed aside. Now the drill can expose the necessary depth and thickness (according to the later implant) from the bone. Then the lower part of the implant can be inserted, and the gum above it can be closed entirely or partially.
• The following wound healing takes about ten days and can be supported by cooling and painkillers. The implant now has a healing phase of about 3-6 months, whereby the upper jaw heals faster than the lower jaw. During this time, a temporary denture can cover the area of the implant.
• After the implant has grown in, the superstructure is built up. For this purpose, the gums are opened again in a second surgery, and the implant is connected to the crown or prosthesis by a connecting piece (stake).

What Are the Risks Associated with an Implant?

Like every surgery, dental implantation also involves risks, such as bleeding, bone, or nerve damage. Especially the injury of a nerve running in the area of the lower jaw can lead to numbness of lips, teeth, and oral mucosa.

Damage to bones, e.g., a breakthrough into the maxillary sinus, can favor the spread of inflammation, not only in the bones (osteomyelitis) but also via the maxillary sinuses into the brain, where it can lead to meningitis. To prevent this, such surgeries belong in the hands of experienced oral surgeons.

Regular check-ups are essential for the period between the surgical steps and after the implantation. The oral surgeon will check the condition of the implant and the general oral hygiene, as well as answer questions regarding implant hygiene, which is essential for the permanent preservation of the dental implant. The most common cause of implant loss is inadequate oral hygiene and associated inflammation.

Which Dentists Are Specialists in Implantology?

Anyone who needs an implant wants the best medical care. Therefore, the patient is wondering where to find the best specialist for implantology in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria?

Since the term implantology is not protected, theoretically, any dentist can place dental implants. However, some additional qualifications prove the competence of a dentist in the field of implantology. A detailed explanation of the different other qualifications in the field of implantology can be found at the GZFA.

Besides the acquired certificates, the experience of a dentist, oral surgeon, or oral and maxillofacial surgeon is an important proof of qualification. Furthermore, implantology specialists have modern technology and use high-quality materials. Computer-supported implant planning using 3D-navigated implantology offers more excellent safety for patients and is essential in a modern implantology practice.

Sources:

• www.dgzmk.de/patienten/patienteninformationen/implantate-ein-fortschritt-beim -ersatz-fehlender-zaehne.html
• www.patienteninformation-mkg.de/dgmkg/patienteninfo.nsf/e/3634F035D2B9D2FDC1257689004752DC
• www.implantat-berater.de/zahnimplantate_zahnersatz_1.html