What is Oral Implantology?

Tooth loss is a severe problem that leads to poorer oral and general health. It can occur due to a variety of reasons, but the consequences are mostly the same:

• Difficulty in chewing;
• Diction problems;
• Aging appearance;
• Nutritional deficit;
• Low self-esteem;
• Among others.

Due to their resemblance to natural teeth, crowns, bridges, and fixed prosthesis have contributed to the popularity of dental implants, on which they are anchored. Furthermore, this solution gives patients back a fixed dentition, which allows them to recover their aesthetics, comfort, and functionality.

This can be achieved through Oral Implantology, an area of Oral Surgery which is a speciality of dentistry. Oral Implantology focuses specifically on oral rehabilitation by placing dental implants, which substitute the roots of natural teeth. Therefore, dental implants support crowns, bridges and fixed prosthesis, substantially improving patients’ well-being.

 

How do dental implants function?

A dental implant is a piece made of titanium or zirconium (ceramic) inserted into the jawbone. This allows the insertion of single crowns, bridges or total fixed prosthesis, restoring one or more missing teeth.

After the dental implant is placed in the bone structure, a perfectly healthy and stable biological union is established between the two – the so-called osseointegration process. The dental implant functions as an “artificial root”, which is a foundation for placing one of the abovementioned solutions.

The stability of the connection to the jawbone allows dental implants to function in the long term. Therefore, dental implant rehabilitation restores a confident smile and transfers the chewing forces back to the jawbone. This is essential for boosting the bone’s health and maintaining the face’s shape.

 

The importance of 1 single tooth

The absence of a tooth – whether due to tooth loss or the need for extraction – can bring many consequences, such as:

• Reduced chewing capacity;
• Altered aesthetics;
• Bone resorption;
• Alteration in the positioning of other teeth;
• Imbalance of occlusion.

Even if it is not a visible area when smiling, the lost tooth should always be replaced to avoid this type of consequence.

A missing tooth can be replaced by placing a unitary dental implant that supports the placement of a crown, perfectly imitating a natural tooth, both from a functional and aesthetic point of view.

After being placed in the bone, the dental implant takes around 2 to 3 months to osseointegrate, and the crown is placed after this period. In some cases, when the bone quality and quantity are ideal, it is possible to place the crown immediately.

 

One implant for each tooth? Not always!

Many patients think that carrying out oral rehabilitation in which you have several missing teeth is very complicated and expensive. This is because they understand that an implant must be placed for each missing tooth. But this is only sometimes true.

For example, if 3 or more teeth are missing in a row, 2 dental implants can be placed and a 3-tooth bridge fitted. Thus, the intermediate tooth is supported on the gum and by the adjacent dental implants.

And when facing a case of total or severe tooth loss, the solution is to place a fixed total prosthesis. In this case, 4 dental implants are placed per arch, to which the total fixed prosthesis will be attached.

 

A treatment for almost everyone

Everyone can be a candidate for dental implants. However, several factors must be taken into consideration.

In order to place dental implants, it is necessary to have healthy gums and bone with sufficient quality and quantity to support them. In case there is not enough bone available, several procedures can increase the bone volume, allowing the subsequent placing of dental implants.

 

Do not fear the pain

The surgical procedures associated with dental implant treatment are perfectly protocolled; there is no discomfort or pain in most situations.

Generally, the procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, as in most dental treatments.

During the postoperative period, there may be slight discomfort, minor inflammation and oedema in the area where the surgery was performed, which is controlled with medication.

 

Step by step of oral rehabilitation with dental implants

Some patients like to know precisely how the treatment they will undergo is carried out. For you to better understand how an Oral Implantology treatment works, we give you a step-by-step guide for this type of oral rehabilitation.

 

1. Pre-surgical digital planning

The entire surgery can be planned in advance using digital models and radiographic examinations. A three-dimensional analysis of the case and the digital placement of the dental implants are carried out, anticipating what will happen on the day of the surgery.

2. Surgery

The dental implants are placed under local anaesthetic and with the addition of conscious sedation. If necessary, depending on the complexity of the case, it is possible to perform the surgery under general anaesthesia.

3. Postoperative period and follow-ups

Following surgery for placing dental implants, it is recommended that the patient takes appropriate medication for a post-operative period that is as comfortable and painless as possible. Post-operative recommendations are also provided, which include the application of ice and other primary care.

4. Rehabilitation period

This phase includes all the procedures for producing the fixed prosthesis and may involve several appointments to achieve functional and aesthetic goals.

Depending on the clinical case, the provisional prosthesis may be placed on the day of the surgery.

The definitive rehabilitation occurs after 3 to 6 months, depending on the case’s complexity.

5. Maintenance

The duration and progress of all the treatments carried out depend on the control and maintenance appointments. It is one of the most important stages of the treatment, carried out through daily care and regular oral hygiene appointments.