Implant Dentistry In A Nutshell
The French association launches first implant information campaign on this technique. Developed in the sixties, it is to replace missing teeth. More modern than the bridge or dentures, implantology remains little known and practiced.
What is an implant?
Replacing teeth is not only an aesthetic. It can give some well-being to people suffering from the loss of one or more teeth. Developed in the 1950s by a Swedish surgeon, this technique relies on the establishment of an artificial root into the bone and the prosthesis which is fixed.
After clinical examination, this operation usually takes place in three stages:
* The practitioner incises the gums and prepares a home in the bone to put in place the implant (artificial root made of titanium). He closes the gum and allowed to achieve bone healing. This waiting phase, called wet-nursing, aims to allow healing of the bone around the implant. Then the patient waits;
* After a period varying, according to the case of six weeks to six months, the dentist puts in place a titanium abutment, for connecting the implant with the temporary prosthesis;
* Finally, the implant is screwed into a titanium infrastructure on which is placed a ceramic crown.
A new method called “surgical time” can simply ignore the setup time to nurse. Although it gives the same results as the conventional method, it is not indicated in unfavorable cases: heavy smokers, risk of infections. Finally, some techniques can overcome the lack of bone (implant shorter but wider, bone graft, filling the sinuses).
Besides the aesthetic replacement of missing teeth, implants can be used as orthodontic anchorage. They then act as the pillars of bridges among people largely toothless. In totally edentulous elderly, one can fit a prosthesis removable two implants.
The main requirement is to have a bone in good condition. Finally, valvular disease, renal failure, smoking, hypertension, allergies and diabetes may constitute cons-indications.