Everything you need to know about dental implants
The survival of dental implants depends to a large extent on the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the patient and his or her habits.
Implantology and Periodontics professionals insist that it is necessary to be well informed about dental treatment safely and effectively. We try to contribute to this objective by presenting some particularly relevant information.
What are they used for?
- To replace lost natural teeth.
- Obtaining an anchorage for mobile dental prostheses provides stability, comfort, and security.
- To ensure that the maxillary bones maintain their function.
- To make anchorages that allow other treatments, such as orthodontic and orthopedic treatments, that would otherwise be impossible to perform.
What are the stages of dental implant treatment?
The procedure to be followed differs in each case and must be personalized. Usually, this process includes:
- Initial study and planning phase: in which information will be provided on the implants or the type of prosthesis indicated in your case, the ideal time to carry out the treatment will be chosen, and the patient's oral and general health status will be checked to determine possible risks or contraindications of the treatment to be performed.
- Surgical phase: the placement of dental implants requires one or more surgical interventions to prepare the bone bed and install the implants.
- Restorative phase: when it has been verified that the osseointegration is adequate and the implants and surrounding tissues are ready to receive strength, the teeth are placed on top of the implants by adapting crowns, bridges, or other types of prostheses.
- Maintenance phase: the main objective is to control the evolution of the treatment results over time, avoiding bacterial contamination or maladjustments.
How long will the treatment last?
Treatments with dental implants have demonstrated long-term results in terms of duration, comfort, esthetics, reliability, and predictability.
The permanence of dental implants in the mouth and the prosthetic rehabilitation they support depends to a great extent on the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the patient, his habits, care, and the type of alteration that caused the loss of teeth.
Is the treatment painful?
No, it is always performed under local anesthesia and sometimes with sedation or general anesthesia.
Are they affordable?
Treatment with dental implants requires procedures and materials of great technical sophistication to be made available to the patient.
It entails a higher cost than conventional alternatives with prostheses. However, when the treatment is evaluated based on the benefits obtained, the cost-benefit ratio is usually more favorable than any other alternative.
Do I need them?
Indeed the first information will have been provided by your dentist, who is fully qualified to make the diagnosis and the various therapeutic alternatives. After his study, he will often advise you on the most appropriate in each case with the collaboration of other professionals with exceptional knowledge in periodontics, prosthetics, or other areas of dentistry and medicine.
