Everything you need to know about dental implants

The dental implants offer a modern and durable solution for the replacement of one or more missing teeth, using artificial titanium roots that, through a biological process called osseointegration, allow a fixed prosthesis to be fitted.

Dental implant: a brief history

Since 1952, when Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark discovered osseointegration, dental implant technology has made great strides. Thanks to decades of research and development, today there are implants with increasingly innovative morphologies and coatings that guarantee faster integration and more reliable results. In the past, 6 to 8 months could pass between implant placement and prosthesis fitting; now, thanks to the immediate loading techniques, it is possible to significantly reduce this interval, in some cases allowing the prosthesis to be fitted on the same day or within 2-3 months.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small titanium screw designed to replace the root of a missing natural tooth. Titanium is highly biocompatible and is also used for orthopaedic prostheses, ensuring excellent integration with the jaw or jawbone. This screw becomes a stable anchorage point for the artificial tooth, which can be completed with a crown, bridge or fixed prosthesis.

Replacing a single tooth

If only one tooth is missing, there are several options for replacement:

1. Removable partial denturesa cheap but less stable solution.
2. Bridge over contiguous teethrequires the filing of adjacent teeth.
3. Dental implant with crowna stable and durable solution that does not damage neighbouring teeth.

Today, implantology is the preferred choice over traditional solutions because it offers greater stability and a more natural result. For example, two implants can support crowns for the two lateral incisors without touching neighbouring teeth.

Replacing several teeth

If several teeth are missing, several implants can be placed in strategic locations to support a fixed bridge, thus avoiding filing down healthy teeth to build a traditional bridge. Implants have the advantage of preventing bone resorption, keeping the bone structure intact. For example, a bridge on two implants can replace three missing teeth, using materials such as metal ceramic or zirconia ceramic for an aesthetically pleasing and functional result.

Entire arch replacement

When all or almost all teeth are missing due to caries, periodontitis or other pathologies, it is possible to insert 4 or 6 immediately loaded implants on which a complete denture is fixed within a few hours of surgery. This option makes it possible to completely replace teeth with a stable and durable solution.

Implantology without incisions

There is a minimally invasive technique that does not involve the incision of the gums or the use of stitches, greatly reducing post-operative pain. Planning is done using a 3D CT scan and dedicated software, which allows the implants to be placed with great precision. With the use of a surgical guide and local anaesthesia, the implants are placed without the need to incise the gums, thus minimising post-operative swelling and discomfort.

Dental implants in cases of little bone: All-on-4 technique

When a patient has little bone available, the All-on-4 technique allows 4 implants to be placed in places where there is sufficient bone, thus supporting a fixed prosthesis applied on the same day. Adequate preparation is essential to use this technique, but in most cases enough bone can be found to make the prosthesis stable.

iuxta-osseous implants for severe bone deficiencies

If the amount of bone is severely insufficient, the iuxta-osseous implant technique offers an alternative. In this case, a titanium framework is modelled using CAD-CAM technology and fixed on the surface of the bone. The operation takes place under local anaesthesia, without pain, and the fixed prosthesis can be fitted the same day, switching from dentures to stable teeth.

Risks and durability of dental implants

The risks of dental implant surgery are low, provided that diseases such as decompensated diabetes and chemotherapy, which could compromise the outcome, are excluded. Proper oral hygiene, regular check-ups and abstaining from smoking contribute to the durability of the implant, which, with good maintenance, can last a lifetime.

Materials: zirconia ceramic or metal ceramic?

Today you can choose between capsules in metal ceramic, zirconia or lithium disilicate. Zirconia capsules have more natural aesthetics as they allow light to pass through, simulating the appearance of natural teeth. Implant abutments can also be made of zirconia for better aesthetics.

The components of a dental implant

A dental implant consists of four main elements:

1. Crowncan be metal ceramic or zirconia ceramic.
2. Screwconnects the abutment to the implant.
3. Abutmentavailable in metal or zirconia.
4. Titanium implantinserted into the bone, it acts as an artificial root.

Screwed or cemented crown?

Crowns on implants can be screwed in or cemented in place. The screw-retained crown uses a screw for fixation, while the cemented crown is secured with cement. Both options are valid and the choice depends on the patient's specific situation and the dentist's preference.

Types of dental implants

Most implants are made of titanium, known for its biocompatibility and stability. Recently, zirconia implants have been introduced, which, being white, blend better with natural teeth. However, more time is needed to evaluate the long-term results of zirconia implants, so titanium remains the safest choice.

The Toronto Bridge prosthesis

The Toronto Bridge is a fixed prosthesis on implants that rehabilitates an entire arch. This technique is named after Professor Brånemark, who first presented it in Toronto. It is an ideal solution for those seeking a stable and durable rehabilitation.

Overdenture: cheap prosthesis on implants

The overdenture is an economical option for those who want a removable but stable prosthesis with a few implants. This prosthesis, particularly useful for the upper arch, has no palate and eliminates many of the instability problems of traditional dentures.

Installations for the elderly

There is no age limit for dental implants. Even at an advanced age, the healing mechanisms are effective, making it possible to place implants without any particular difficulties.

Dental implant maintenance

Implants require regular care and check-ups, just like natural teeth. It is essential to maintain proper oral hygiene and to visit the dentist periodically to check the condition of the implant and prosthesis.