Dental Implants: The Traditional way

Dental implants are today considered the preferred means of treatment for those who have lost their teeth or for those who are about to have their teeth extracted due to poor oral health, and it replaces the conventional dentures and bridges.

The natural teeth are made up of a root and a crown. Gum disease, tooth decay or damage to the teeth can harm the natural root of the tooth hence hindering the ability of the root to properly support the tooth as it is biting or chewing. In such cases the natural root can be replaced with a dental implant.

The dental implant as a replacement for missing teeth in the mouth, can greatly facilitate the lives of people who have lost teeth or are facing a tooth extraction that cannot be saved. However, each patient differs from the other in their overall health, lifestyle and economic status and not all of them are suitable candidates for dental implantation. Therefore, it is important that you make an appointment with your dentist and consult on the variety of alternatives that can suit your oral rehabilitation.

Dental implant - how is it built and what is its function?

There are several different types of dental implants but they usually consist of a screw whose outer part is anchored to the jawbone and its inner part is anchored to an external device for the implant, to which will be attached at the end of the process the crown of the tooth.

The implants are made of noble metals that fuse well with bone, such as titanium or zirconium dioxide.

The dental implant is actually used as an 'artificial root' and its function is to anchor the replacement tooth, bridge or dentures

When the implant merges with the jawbone it becomes the closest thing to imitating the natural root of the tooth:

• It is integrated into jaw bone
• It stands on its own and does not affect the teeth neighboring it
• It provides stable support for the artificial tooth
• It is very durable

One dental implant can support one replacement tooth, but it is also possible to assemble several teeth on 2 or 3 implants. In addition, there is a method called All On 4-6 that can support an entire jaw using only 4 or 6 implants.

Dental Implants - Prerequisites

If you are considering dental implants, whether in the traditional way or in the revolutionary way - in one day, the conditions of your mouth must meet the following criteria:

• Your gums must be healthy
• There must be sufficient amount of bone at the implant site
• If the bone is not strong enough, it will be necessary to undergo a bone graft to ensure the success of the implant.
• If the upper jaw does not have a sufficiently high bone, or the sinuses are too close to the jaw - it may be necessary to first undergo a 'sinus lift' procedure.

What Tests are Required Before doing an implant?

The dental implant has been around for many years and is characterized by high success rates and very few complications. However, since these are implants that are surgically inserted into the gums - and in order to reduce the risk of nerve damage, infection or sinus penetration - the dentist will perform all the necessary tests prior to the surgery, including:

• Obtain information about the patient's medical history, especially if the patient suffers from heart disease, blood clotting issues, osteoporosis or diabetes.
• If the patient is taking anticoagulants, the dentist will resort to less invasive surgical procedures compared to the regular implant surgery.
• Periodontitis can weaken the bone and cause tooth loss. Patients with gum disease and patients with diabetes will not be able to undergo a dental implant procedure until it is proven that they are free of symptoms of gum disease. In addition, diabetes may increase the patient's chances of developing complications after the transplant surgery.
• Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a general decrease in bone density. Because a dental implant requires a sufficient amount of bone for the implant to fuse with, you will need to discuss with your dentist whether you are suitable for a dental implant.
• A review of all medications taken
• Tests tp determine bone quality and quantity
• Examination of photographs following CT or CBCT scans
  CT Scanning or Computed Tomography, uses X-ray measurements taken from different angles to produce images of the scanned object. The scan provides the dentist with three-dimensional information regarding the location of the sinus in the upper jaw, the nerve in the lower jaw and information on the amount of bone, its width, depth and height.

What are the Advantages of the One Day Implants?

When we say implant in one day, we mean attaching a temporary crown immediately after the dental implant has been inserted into its place in the jaw. The main purpose is aesthetic, but this implant also has functional aspects. This means that you can talk, eat and brush your teeth, just like with natural teeth.

In the traditional dental implant treatment, the patient is required to wait several months until he can fully smile again. Dental implants in one day, on the other hand, is a quick method to restore the natural appearance in case of loss of teeth and allows the patient to return to his life very quickly.

The patient who undergoes dental implants in one day, not only leaves the clinic with a natural looking appearance, but also saves himself from having to deal with the embarrassment that surrounds having a mouth with missing teeth.

One Day Implants - Who is it Suitable for?

If you are interested in receiving a dental implant in a single day, you will need to speak about this with your dentist to see if you are a suitable candidate. Your doctor will thoroughly check your oral condition to see if you are suitable for this type of treatment. What does that mean?

• Good oral health and good general health are required. That is, someone who smokes, has an autoimmune disease, suffers from oral hygiene problems, or a chronic illness - a one-day transplant treatment may not be right for him.
• Those who suffer from tooth erosion or locking of the jaw, will not be fit for a single implant day because this condition may affect the quality of the implant in the long run.
• When there is not enough bone in the jaw to fuse with the dental implant, one must first undergo a bone graft and only after a recovery period, will it be possible to start the dental implant.
• When it is necessary to undergo a sinus lift,  one must wait for the site to heal, before it will be possible to begin the dental implant.

If you are interested in dental implants - whether in one day or in the traditional method - you must commit to maintaining your oral and body health. It is true, sometimes implants fail, regardless of hygiene and health (only about 5% of cases for 20 years), but maintaining ongoing dental hygiene, both at home and with your dental hygienist, will help the success of your implants long term.

If you are healthy, including oral health, do not smoke, do not suffer from an autoimmune disease, do not take bisphosphonate prescription drugs - it is possible you are suitable for an implant in a single day.

What are the Risks of a Single Day Implant?

Although oral rehabilitation through a one-day transplant offers many benefits, it also involves several risks. The main risk is failure of the implant.

In the traditional dental implant, after placing the implants in the jaw, the doctor must wait two to seven months, to allow a period in which the implant screw will coalesce with the natural jaw bone. This makes it possible to create a solid connection between the artificial root and the bone.

But the immediacy that characterizes an implant in one day, does not allow a period in which the implant will fuse with the bone and offer a stable and strong anchor to the replacement tooth. If there is no strong connection between the implanted screw and the natural bone, this may cause future failure.

Consult with your doctor to determine what type of treatment is best for you to replace a  missing tooth or teeth, and which materials best suits your condition, esthetic expectations and budget.