Implants

Types of implants

The implant consists of a titanium screw, which is fixed into the bone, and an aesthetic part - a crown that completely replicates your tooth. The screw is only made of titanium, as it is currently the only material that is biocompatible with the human body, but the aesthetic crown can be made of zirconium or ceramic.

Zirconia crowns

Zirconia is the best aesthetic material that dentistry can offer today for dental prostheses.
Zirconium crowns are hypoallergenic. They have a high strength, therefore they are suitable for prosthetics of any tooth with full preservation of the chewing function. They are also thin and light, requiring little or no grinding of the adjacent teeth. Despite its thinness and lightness, no metal support or gums are visible through this aesthetic material. The zirconium crown fits exactly on the gums, so even over time there is no sagging of soft tissues and no unsightly band appears between the crown and the gums. The material has a transparency and structure that completely replicates human enamel, so it is almost impossible to distinguish a crown from a real tooth. Zirconia crowns are more expensive than ceramic crowns, but their lifespan is almost twice as long.

Ceramic crowns

Ceramic crowns are a more budget option. They are also hypoallergenic, retain their color throughout their lifetime, but unlike zirconium, are more fragile. They can wear out or crack over time. The lifespan of a ceramic crown is from 5-10 years.

Building up bone mass

For the implant to stay in place, it needs sufficient bone mass. But if a long time has passed since the tooth was extracted, the bone in the area of the tooth cavity decreases in size. Periodontitis can also lead to bone loss. In this case, a bone augmentation should be performed before the implant is placed. The surgeon at the Aesthetic Dental Center places a bone graft, which then serves as a solid base for the implant.

Implant installation procedure:

The treatment planning starts with a detailed examination, assessment of X-rays, and the general condition of the patient. If no bone augmentation is required, the implantation procedure takes approximately 30 minutes.
Installation of a titanium screw is done under local anesthesia, general anesthesia is possible on special wishes of the patient. The surgeon makes a small incision in the gums, exposing the bone tissue. Then he prepares the hole with precise instruments, screws in the implant, and sutures the gums. It takes 6-8 weeks for the implant to become firmly attached to the bone. This period does not cause any particular problems, the most important thing is to maintain good hygiene. At this time, a temporary prosthesis is placed.
After complete healing, a permanent denture is placed. Depending on the chosen technique, these are either cemented or screwed to the implant.

Implant care

False teeth are not prone to caries, but this does not mean that oral hygiene can be neglected. If you brush your teeth poorly, don't remove tartar, and don't clean professionally on time, microbes can cause the soft tissues around the implant to become inflamed. To avoid all possible complications, you should have a dental checkup every six months.