1. What are dental implants?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions. A dental implant is a foreign body of biocompatible material which once grafted into the bone fuses within it and serves as a support for crowns, bridges and prostheses.
2. When a dental implant can be placed?
A dental implant can be placed after the first loss of a permanent tooth in patients who have completed their growth at the age of about 21-22 years. An implant can also be placed when there is a missing germ of a permanent tooth.
3. Are dental implants safe?
Dental implants have been used for decades to repair missing teeth, and with the advancement
of technology, their quality has increased significantly in recent years. The material from which dental implants are made meets all requirements for biocompatibility and strength.
4. Does the placement of a dental implant hurt?
Although the sensation of pain is subjective and different in each patient, the placement of a dental implant is completely painless. During the intervention, the surgeon uses anesthesia to reduce discomfort to a minimum. In fearful patients, one can also work under general anesthesia, and for this purpose an anesthesiologist is engaged to bring the patient to a state of “half-sleep”, after which he does not remember anything from the operation itself.
5. How long does the placement of dental implants last?
The duration of the manipulation depends upon several factors:
– general health of the patient
– are there teeth to be extracted
– how many implants are placed
– is there a need for placement of artificial bone
In general, one standard manipulation can last from 30 minutes to 3 hours.
6. What complications can arise after dental implants surgery?
After placing a dental implant, the patient most often gets swelling over the next few days. Pain, although rare, may occur in the first days after surgery, but it is mostly due to mechanical irritation of soft tissues during feeding or talking. Implant failure is rare, most often due to smoking and/or poor oral hygiene.
7. What are the advantages of the implant over ordinary bridges?
By placing a dental implant, support is provided for the future construction, which saves the need to file down healthy teeth. In patients with many or completely missing teeth, dental implants are the only alternative for fixed structures, which is extremely useful for those who cannot tolerate dentures or do not want to wear them.
8. Is it necessary to wait for an implant after one or more teeth have been extracted?
Whether implants can be placed immediately after tooth extraction can be judged during the general implant examination. In most cases, this is possible, which saves a lot of time from the overall treatment.
9. How long does a complete implant therapy last?
The duration of dental implant treatment depends on the condition of the patient’s bone, the jaw being worked on, and the general health. Normally, a complete treatment lasts from 3 to 8 months.
10. How long can implants last in the mouth?
Dental implants can remain healthy throughout the patient’s life. Good oral hygiene and frequent control visits with professional maintenance are some of the most important factors for successful and long-term implantology treatment.
