20 May What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is similar to an artificial root. It occurs most often in the form of a titanium screw in the bone of the jaw. It replaces or the roots of a missing tooth and serves as a support to make a crown, bridge, denture.
When will we put an implant?
An implant can be set up, immediately after the tooth extraction or after healing of the bone and gum. The surgery is often simple and painful. It is done under local anaesthesia as for the treatment of caries.
The final prosthesis is performed after solidification of the bone around the implant (within 2 to 6 months). Under certain conditions, a temporary prosthesis may be established immediately after installation of the implant.
Indications and cons-indications
For an implant, it is necessary that the volume and the quality of the jaw bone are sufficient. These parameters are generally measured using a scanner. However, it is also possible to increase the volume of bone using a bone graft. It is also important that the neighbouring teeth and gums are healthy.
A medical questionnaire will rule out any against-indications: irradiation of the face high risk of infective endocarditis (infection of a heart valve by bacteria of the mouth). The cons-indications are more common: poor hygiene, smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, taking anticoagulants …
Our advices
- The implant is used to replace one or more teeth without affecting other teeth, and offers a prosthesis both fixed and comfortable.
- A single missing tooth can destabilize the entire mouth. If it is not replaced, it is the first step toward loosening or multiple tooth loss process.
- If you are concerned, you must, as all holders of implants, watch an extremely rigorous hygiene and carry out checks regularly.
