What are dental implants?

Dental implants are firmly anchored replacements for natural teeth - and are therefore particularly attractive for many people. First, a kind of artificial tooth root (the implant) is implanted directly into the jawbone during a surgical procedure in your dentist’s office. In the subsequent healing phase, the implant grows together with the bone, and becomes a very stable and permanent hold new “root” for a prosthetic tooth, which will be placed on the implant post. Both one tooth and several teeth can be replaced with implants, which, when successful, look indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

When are implants used?

Dental implants are an ideal solution for many people to replace missing teeth. There are many indications for using implants to replace missing teeth, and many ways implants can be used to enhance your quality of life and your smile.

Replacement of a single tooth

It often happens that a single tooth that has been destroyed by a dental disease or an accident needs to be replaced. It is always advisable that a single tooth is replaced as soon as possible to maintain a healthy smile and to avoid shifting of other teeth or creating larger gaps. If you are missing only one tooth, a single tooth implant offers the ideal solution.

Implant situation: gap

A gap is an implant situation in which at least two adjacent teeth are missing. In the best-case scenario, these are replaced by an implant, as otherwise the jaw may be misaligned and bone loss occurs.

Dental implants: durability & longevity

If dental implants successfully become part of your jaw and are cared for at home and at your dentist’s office, around 90% of implants are still in good, working condition 10 years after they have been done.

If you ensure that the implants are kept free of inflammation through targeted oral hygiene at home and make regular dental visits, dental implants can last a lifetime, as they take over the function of the natural tooth roots.

Compared to conventional dentures, it has also been shown that dental implants have a significantly better lifespan and thus also have a great advantage in terms of their longevity and safety. The durability of implants is determined by the following factors:

1. Bone supply & bone quality - Sufficient jawbone to hold the dental implant is the prerequisite for a successful implantation. The more jawbone there is, the larger and longer an implant can be used during the implant surgery. Your dentist will choose the size of your implant based on how much jawbone you have to support the implant. Generally, the larger the implant, the stronger it will be. However, this does not necessarily mean that there is always an advantage in choosing longer implants. Too large an implant can worsen the blood flow around the jawbone and even promote bone loss. This is why your dentist will take great care in choosing the size of your implant. If the bone supply and the quality are not right, bone grafting is done before the implantation. If you need this procedure, your dentist will talk to you about this as part of the implant consultation. Degree of difficulty of the implant treatment - The durability of implants certainly also depends on the individual tooth situation. The more “problems” there are with the tooth that have to be considered, the more difficult an implantation is. These include:
   1. Jawbone supply
   2. Gum situation
   3. Individual anatomy (nerve course, tooth position)
   4. Risk factors in the patient
2. Prosthetic care - The dentures that are to be attached to the implants must also be selected appropriately in order to keep the load low and to extend the durability of the dental implants.
3. Patient health - Because your health has a large impact on the success of your implant, it is very important to discuss your health history with you dentist before any procedure. Diseases that affect your metabolism or reaction situation, i.e. the way the body reacts to the implant inserted, can have a negative impact on the durability of implants, but do not necessarily have to lead to the loss of the implant. Serious diseases and risk factors such as periodontitis, rheumatism, smoking, or medication that disrupt bone metabolism should be examined and taken into account in advance of an implantation.
4. Oral hygiene - When dental implants are successfully grown into the jaw, they are surrounded by a tight ring of gum tissue that protects the implant from infection. In order to ensure the longevity of implants, it is particularly important to ensure optimal oral hygiene and to avoid the risk of infections. Bacterial plaque that is not thoroughly removed can lead to inflammation of the tooth support system. This can spread deep down to the jawbone and endanger the durability of implants (peri-implantitis). Good oral hygiene and the use of professional implant prophylaxis are the main ingredients in ensuring the longevity of implants. If dental implants are properly cared for and stressed, their durability is not restricted.

Implant care

After you have received an implant, proper implant care is critical to ensure the success and durability of implants. In addition to optimal dental and oral hygiene at home, regular use of implant prophylaxis and professional implant follow-up care is particularly important to ensure that the implant remains inflammation-free and can fully replace lost teeth.

Caring for the implant: differences between tooth and implant

Due to the different anatomy between your natural teeth and dental implants, generally, implants require more care than natural teeth. This is because the natural teeth are fixed by special fibers between the root and the jawbone, the so-called tooth-holding apparatus, and the gums stick directly to the tooth. In contrast to the implant, the tooth bed offers better protection against bacterial infections than the implant bed, where the gums are only loosely attached.

Inadequate implant care promotes the development of peri-implantitis and increases the risk of implant loss.

Importance of implant care

Regular preventative care and proper maintenance of the implant after you have undergone implant surgery are crucial conditions for your dentist when it comes to giving a guarantee on implants. In order to ensure the longevity of implants and the associated superstructure and to fully enjoy their advantages, various possibilities and methods of implant care come into question. These include:

• Toothbrushes
• Dental floss
• Interdental brushes
• Professional tooth cleaning

Make sure you work with your dentist to devise a healthy and manageable care plan for your implant, and indeed, your natural teeth as well.

Existing Partial with Dental Implants