Published On 26 Jun, 2021
A dental implant is a procedure in which a screw-like prosthesis is used to replace the root portion of a missing tooth/teeth and is fastened to your jaw bone to support a crown, bridge, or denture to function much like natural teeth.
The procedure of implant surgery performed depends on the choice of an implant made and the type of jaw bone you have. The implant screwed to your jaw bone needs to fuse with it by a process called osseointegration. The implant prosthesis created compose of medical-grade titanium similar to the one used in other biomedical applications like artificial knee joints, bone plates, pacemakers, cardiac valve prosthesis, etc. Medical-grade titanium is the most biocompatible metal and has a proven track record that proves to be safe and nothing to be worried about.
A person with missing teeth or badly mutilated teeth that need replacement is the right candidate to undergo a dental implant. The point is that they should not have any local or systemic contraindications to elective surgery and have a favorable jaw relationship. Dental Implants also act as anchorage devices in orthodontics. Implants, if feasible, are beneficial over fixed partial dentures as there is no need to shave down adjacent sound tooth structures. Also, they are way more comfortable than removable dentures. An implant-supported prosthesis used to replace your entire dentition, the so-called “All on 4” concept.
Let us look into some contraindications to dental implant surgery. One should share such health details with the dentist before starting the procedure.
Absolute contraindications
Relative contraindications
A dental implant can be of 2 types
The first stage includes a comprehensive dental examination to check the feasibility of implant surgery. Later, medical and drug history is analyzed to identify if the patient has specific health issues or allergies to medicines. You may have dental X-rays or 3D images taken and have models of your teeth and jaws made. Routine blood work is also generally prescribed. Need for bone augmentation(if your bone quality or quantity is not sufficient), sinus lift and ridge expansion will be analyzed.
Traditionally implant surgery is a multi-step procedure in which the first step is to place the implant into your jaw bone. Following this, you will have to wait for a couple of months till your bone heals and the implants osseointegrate with it. Then the dental prosthesis is fabricated over this after making adequate measurements.
Immediate load implants also called same-day implants, allow placement of a temporary tooth during the same appointment as the implant placement. The benefit, you walk out of the dental office with a tooth. The determining factors include the quality & quantity of natural bone, and the implant stability gained immediately after placement. Your implant specialist can give you more insight into this.
The surgical procedure is done only after numbing the region. Hence no pain is felt during the drilling and placement of the implant. After the implant procedure, suturing is also performed with utmost care. Antibiotics and analgesics prescribed help in faster recovery and better outcomes. The course of healing is generally comfortable.
After about 2-3 months, the implant specialist verifies osseointegration, and the prosthesis (crown or bridge) is custom made to allow the appearance and function to be restored.
Then regular follow-up visits are scheduled later on.
When done by an experienced implantologist in Dubai, dental implant surgery generally has a predictable outcome. Having said so, let us look at some risks.
Dental implants in Dubai are the best choice for replacing missing teeth. Unlike dentures, the final result feels more natural and stable. When done by a skilled implant specialist, dental implants have a very high success rate.