How is implant treatment performed?
Implant treatment is done to replace missing teeth or to provide support for a fixed prosthesis known as a bridge. This treatment is quite common to regain dental function and aesthetics after losing teeth. Here is an overview of the stages of implant treatment and how it is performed:
Examination and Evaluation: The patient and dentist begin with the first stage of implant treatment, the examination and evaluation. The dentist examines the patient’s oral health, tooth structure and bone density. At this stage, it is also possible to use imaging tools such as X-rays or digital tomography.
Creating a Treatment Plan: The results of the examination determine how the dentist will carry out the implant treatment. The plan includes the number of missing teeth, the location of the replacement implants and the treatment process.
Surgical Phase: Implant placement is a surgical procedure. In this stage, an implant is inserted into the jawbone. The implants, usually made of titanium, integrate into the bone. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Healing Period: Implants require a healing period to integrate and fuse with the jawbone. This process can usually take several months and ensures a stable placement of the implants.
Preparation of the Superstructure: After the treatment is completed, a fixed dental prosthesis (crown, bridge or denture) or a removable dental prosthesis (popularly known as a “denture”) is placed over the implants. This superstructure is customized by your dentist by taking measurements.
Temporary Prosthesis (Optional): Temporary prostheses can be used to meet the patient’s aesthetic and functional needs during the healing process.
Final Checkups and Maintenance: After the implants are completed, the dentist recommends routine check-ups and maintenance. These checks are done to verify that the implants are healthy and functional.
How long does implant treatment last?
The lifespan of implant treatment can vary depending on a number of factors and can differ from person to person. The main factors affecting the lifespan of implant treatment are:
Implant Material: Implants are usually made of titanium and this material is well tolerated by the human body. Titanium implants offer long-term durability and can provide years of service.
Implant Position: The position in which the implants are placed can affect the lifespan of the treatment. In particular, conditions such as jawbone insufficiency or improper positioning of the implant can negatively affect the treatment results.
Oral Hygiene Good oral hygiene is important after implant treatment. Regular brushing of the teeth and implants, flossing and regular check-ups with the dentist help the implants to last longer.
Teeth Clenching or Grinding: Teeth clenching or grinding, known as bruxism, can put extra pressure on the implants and cause them to fail. This can shorten the life of the implants.
General Health Status: General health can affect the success and longevity of implant treatment. Especially in people with chronic diseases or immune system problems, implant treatment results may vary.
Smoking and Alcohol Use: Smoking or excessive alcohol consumption can shorten the lifespan of implant treatment. These habits can negatively affect the integration of implants and tissue healing.
Does an implant tooth hurt a lot?
Implant dental treatment can be associated with pain or discomfort for many people, but the sensation of pain can be different for each patient. To find out whether implant dental treatment is painful or not, here is some important information on this topic:
Surgical Procedure Implant dental treatment requires a surgical procedure. Local anesthesia is applied during the placement of the implant in the jawbone, so there is no pain during the placement of the implant. However, there may be mild pain or swelling after surgery.
Pain After Surgery: Post-surgical pain or discomfort is common after implant treatment. You may experience mild pain or tenderness in the area where the implant was placed. This pain is usually mild to moderate and usually subsides within a few days.
Medications: You can use pain medications prescribed by your dentist to relieve pain after surgery. These medicines can help to control the pain.
Swelling Swelling may occur in the area after implant treatment. Swelling can contribute to pain. Applying a cold compress can reduce swelling.
Personal Tolerance: The sensation of pain or discomfort can vary from person to person. Some people find implant treatment almost painless, while others may experience more pain sensations. This depends on personal pain threshold and physical condition.
Surgical Complications: In rare cases, surgical complications can occur and cause pain. For example, infection, failure or misplacement of the implant.
Good Care Good oral hygiene and compliance with the dentist’s care instructions after implant treatment can speed up the healing process and reduce pain.
How long does it take to insert 1 implant?
1 implant insertion time can vary depending on a number of factors and may differ from patient to patient. Here are the main factors that determine the duration of implant treatment:
Treatment Plan: Implant treatment requires a personalized treatment plan for each patient. Where the implants will be placed, what kind of superstructure will be used and the details of the treatment process are taken into account when creating the treatment plan.
Jaw Bone Condition: Sufficient bone volume and density are required for the implants to integrate successfully. If the jawbone is insufficient, additional procedures such as bone grafting or jawbone augmentation may be required. These procedures may prolong implant treatment.
Number of Surgical Procedures: If more than one implant needs to be placed, the treatment time may be prolonged depending on the number of procedures.
Healing Process: After the placement of the implants, a healing process is necessary for the implants to adapt to the bone and for the implants to be fixed. This process may vary depending on the area where the implants are placed and the patient’s bone structure. Generally, the healing process can take several months.
Superstructure Preparation: Preparation of the superstructures to be placed on the implants and taking measurements also affect the treatment time. This process takes place after the integration of the implants is completed.
Experience of the Doctor: The experience and expertise of the dentist or surgeon conducting the implant treatment can also affect the duration. An experienced doctor can complete the treatment more quickly and effectively.
How many months after the implant?
In order for the implant treatment to be completed successfully, the implant must be integrated with the jawbone and the healing process must be completed. The time it takes to insert teeth after the implant may vary from person to person, depending on the complexity of the treatment and the area where the implant is placed. However, in general, the stages of implant treatment are as follows:
Implant Placement: The implant is placed in the jawbone through a surgical procedure. At this stage, local anesthesia is applied and the implant is placed in the correct position. The implant fuses and integrates with the jawbone. This process is usually completed between 3 and 6 months.
Healing Period: After the implant is placed, the healing process begins. During this process, fusion and integration of the implant with the jawbone takes place. This is a critical stage for the implant to form a stable and strong foundation. The healing process can usually take several months.
Superstructure Preparation: After the healing process is complete, the superstructures (crowns, bridges or dentures) that will be placed over the implants are prepared. This process involves taking special impressions and having the superstructures designed by your dentist.
Tooth Attachment: The superstructures are attached to the implants by the dentist when ready. This is the final stage of implant treatment and is necessary for the patient to replace missing teeth or use a fixed prosthesis.
Teeth are usually fitted within months after the implant is placed. However, this can vary depending on the speed of implant integration and the healing process. Especially if a single implant is placed and the superstructure is prepared, tooth placement can take place at an earlier stage. In cases where multiple implants are placed or a complex treatment plan is required, the time may be longer.
Which teeth cannot be implanted?
Implant treatment is a common method for restoring lost dental function or replacing missing teeth. However, it cannot be applied for just any tooth. The patient’s oral health and general health condition can decide whether implant treatment is appropriate. In order for the implants to integrate with the jawbone, the jawbone must have sufficient volume and density. If the jawbone is missing, implant placement may be difficult or unsuccessful. In this case, jawbone augmentation or bone grafting operations may be required.
Health Problems: Certain medications, long-term health conditions or immune system problems may pose a risk for implant treatment. For example, implant treatment may not be recommended for people with severe diabetes or undergoing cancer treatment.
Smoking and Alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can cause implant treatment to fail. The healing process and the integration of the implants can be affected by these habits.
Gum Problems: Gum disease can make it difficult to integrate and place implants properly. Problems in the tooth may need to be treated first.
Poor Oral Hygiene: Oral hygiene is important for the long-term success of implants. If implants are not regularly maintained and cleaned, infections can increase and implants can be damaged.
General Health Status: The patient should consider his/her general health as he/she will undergo a surgical procedure and recovery process during the implant treatment. For example, heart conditions or infections can jeopardize implant treatment.
Age Factor: Age can be an important factor for a person to receive implant treatment. Children and teenagers are still in the process of growing, so implants should not be given to them. Also, bone density can decrease with age, which can make it difficult to place implants.
How many implants are needed for a complete tooth?
How many implants are needed depends on the patient’s oral structure, the condition of the missing teeth and the treatment plan. In general, it is common to use more than one implant to replace missing teeth or for a fixed prosthesis known as a bridge. However, which implants should be used depends on the following factors:
Number of Missing Teeth: First, the amount of missing teeth is important. One implant is recommended for each missing tooth. Therefore, if a person has a total of 28 missing teeth in both the upper and lower jaw, 28 implants can be considered.
Jawbone Quality: The jawbone must have sufficient thickness and density for the implants to be placed. If the jawbone is insufficient, you may need additional operations such as bone grafting or jawbone augmentation. This can have an impact on the number of implants.
Superstructure Design: A removable or fixed dental prosthesis, colloquially known as a bridge or “colloquial denture”, is the superstructure that will be placed over the implants. The number of implants may vary according to the size and design of the superstructures.
Cost and Budget: Implant treatment can be expensive and the patient’s budget may be limited by the number of implants. As a result, patients sometimes prefer to replace their missing teeth with smaller implants.
Aesthetic Considerations: For aesthetic reasons, some patients may want to place the implants more regularly. In this case, additional implants can be used.
