What are dental implants and to what extent are they different from a natural teeth?

Dental implants (implants) are cylindrical titanium screws and serve as a replacement for the tooth root.

When there is a loss of a natural tooth, it is best to install a dental implant as soon as possible, which plays the role of an artificial root and wears a dental crown. Implants are a long-term solution, once installed they can last for more than 15 or 20 years. The dental implant has the function of a carrier of future prosthetic work, whether it is individual crowns, dental bridges or dentures.

Tooth or dental implants, in relation to bridges or dentures, are the best solution in cases of loss of one, more or all teeth in the jaw.

Dental implants are surgically placed in the jaw bone below the gums, where after some time they connect (osseointegrate) with the bone and become a replacement for the tooth.

The abutment is a connector between the dental implant and the cover (crown) that is placed on the dental implant. It is used to connect the dental implant and the prosthetic work worn by the implants.

An artificial tooth is a collective name for an implanted and osseointegrated implant, an abutment (connector) that connects the screw and the crown and the crowns themselves (the only visible part of the implant).

What are the key benefits of dental implant placement?

The key advantages of dental implants are the following:

  1. Healthy and beautiful smile – dental implants look and function like natural teeth;
  2. Relaxation – the implanted dental implant restores a natural smile on the face, which greatly affects the patient’s relaxation;
  3. Improved bite function – a new dental implant completely compensates for the lost tooth and enables a normal bite;
  4. Longevity – with proper oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, dental implants can last a lifetime;
  5. Painlessness and safety – the process of implantation of a dental implant is a painless and safe dental procedure if it is performed by professionals;
  6. Improved oral and overall health – the dental implant maintains the correct position of other teeth in the dentition and prevents their further movement;
  7. Enabled normal speech function – during everyday speech, the teeth remain in place and there is no fear of moving the teeth (unlike mobile dentures).

What is important for implantation?

Among the numerous factors that can affect the success of implantation (installation of dental implants), we would single out the following:
  • an adequate therapy plan – this is not only about the success of implant placement, but about the correct construction of the entire prosthetic work that the implants “carry”. Prosthetic work (bridge or crown) receives the load and forces generated during chewing and transfers them to the implants. If this part is not well planned and done, the implants will certainly suffer a lot of pressure, which will lead to complications with the implants and with prosthetic work. Unfortunately, these complications are not immediately visible, but they certainly appear during the following years and thus shorten the life of the implant.
  • general health of the patient – all conditions and medications that lead to weakening of bone tissue and immunity can make it difficult or completely impossible for the osseointegration of the implant with the bone. The same is the case with diseases and conditions that result in poor blood supply to bone and soft tissue.
  • surgical technique of implant installation – care must be taken that the bone is minimally traumatized during installation, i.e. not overheated. Consideration must also be given to the dimensions of the bone in relation to the dimensions of the implant. If thin bone remains around the implant, there is every chance that it will resorb over time and cause complications.
  • maintaining oral hygiene, regular check-ups, taking care of the final work done by the patient.

How many dental implants are needed for a dental bridge on implants?

As many natural teeth are needed for one dental bridge, so many artificial roots (dental implants) are needed to bridge the implants. Dental crowns made on dental implants are physically separated from dental crowns on teeth, but in certain cases it is also possible to connect a dental implant and a natural tooth with a single bridge. In the absence of one tooth, 1 implant is required, in the absence of two or three adjacent teeth, two dental implants are required. If all the teeth in one jaw are missing, it is possible to make a fixed or conditionally fixed bridge on 4, 6 or 8 implants.

Did you know that in one day we can install a dental implant and dental crowns?

Today, the installation of dental implants is a routine operation with over 98% success. In some cases, the installation of a dental implant can be done in one visit to the Dental Practice QUEEN, but there are also cases where several months of multidisciplinary treatment are needed. Even with complete toothlessness, this procedure is performed quickly and in two phases with a three-month break. In the meantime, the patient receives a temporary denture or bridge, so that the installation of a dental implant alone does not affect everyday life.

Today, in the QUEEN office, we use digital implant placement procedures. This allows us to get temporary teeth immediately after the implant placement, in the same visit.

How is the crown fixed to the dental implant?

There are two ways of fixing crowns on an already installed dental implant.

Certainly, a better and more modern way is the so-called screw fixing. It implies that the crown outside the patient’s mouth is cemented to the superstructure and then the whole (crown – superstructure) is fixed to the implant with a screw.

Each implant system has a specific force used to tighten the screw, ranging from 25N to 35N.

Another way of fixing the crown for the implant is that the abutment in the mouth is fixed to the implant with a screw, and then a ceramic crown is cemented to it. Whenever possible, first method should be used (screw retained crowns) because it avoids the use of cement in the mouth. Any residual cement under the gums can cause inflammation of the gums and bone around the dental implant – a complication called peri-implantitis.

Is there a difference between a dental implant and a natural tooth during chewing?

Dental implants perform the same function as natural teeth, so people are not aware that they are using dental implants during chewing.

Can dental implants be the solution to complete toothlessness?

Of course. As a solution for complete toothlessness, there are several options: fixed work with implants, conditionally fixed work that can be removed but only by a dentist ”and dentures attached to dental implants. The difference between these techniques is explained in the sections “Fixed operation of the whole jaw” and “Dentures on dental implants”.

Need more information on dental implants?

Dental practice QUEEN is always at your disposal if you want to learn more about the installation of dental implants. Come to us without hesitation and consult with our experts for the installation of dental implants. If it is easier for you, call us on our phone numbers or contact us by e-mail.

Detailed information on the prices of dental implants can be found on this website: PRICES OF DENTAL IMPLANTS.

sci. dr Mirela Cvjetković

sci. dr Mirela Cvjetković It makes your smile irresistible with the help of veneers or crowns. At the same time it compensates for lost teeth with implants. The road to the final smile is long but definitely worth the patience. You can always contact us with confidence.