This is one of the most advanced dental techniques in the field of dental health. Dental implantology has undergone a true technological revolution in recent years, allowing patients to maintain their quality of life without giving up a good chewing, in addition to wearing a beautiful smile.
How does a dental implant work?
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are inserted into the jawbone where a tooth is missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes and are surgically placed in the jawbone.
The titanium in the implants, along with the bone, create a solid foundation for the artificial teeth. Small pieces are then connected to the implant, which protrude through the gums. These pieces serve as a fixed and stable anchor for the artificial replacement teeth.
Implants also help preserve facial structure and prevent the deterioration of the jawbone that occurs when teeth are missing.
What are the dental implantology treatments in Clínicas Den Barcelona?
These are the dental implant treatments that we can do to improve your oral health.
Bone regeneration
After the loss of a tooth, the bone that surrounds it is lost, to a greater or lesser extent, naturally. It is a physiological process that worsens in situations where the cause of the loss is infection or trauma.
In order to place an implant correctly, it is essential that the patient has an adequate quantity and quality of bone. Otherwise, that is, when there is not enough bone to achieve implant stability, it is necessary to resort to the technique of bone regeneration.
This procedure is based on surgical techniques, performed under local anesthesia, which aim to increase the amount of bone available, both in width (horizontal bone regeneration) and height (vertical bone regeneration).
Soft tissue grafting on implants
In addition to the quality and quantity of bone, when planning the placement of a dental implant we also value the available gingiva.
Its main function around the implant is to properly seal around the prosthesis, thus preventing the penetration of bacteria together with the formation of an inflammatory-infectious process around the peri-implant tissue.
When the tissue surrounding the prosthesis on an implant does not fulfill this sealing function, it is necessary to make a gum graft to achieve it. In our clinic in Barcelona we use gum grafts borrowed from the palate.
This technique is called Periodontal Plastic Surgery, and we do it on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. The wound of the palate heals completely within 2 weeks, while the graft heals with the gum surrounding the implant.
Elevation of the maxillary sinus
The maxillary sinuses are on top of the upper teeth and are hollow cavities lined by a membrane on the inside. Some roots of the natural upper teeth extend into the maxillary sinuses.
When these upper molars and premolars are lost, there is often only a thin wall of bone separating the maxillary sinus and the mouth. In this case, we cannot place dental implants in that area, and this is when we resort to the sinus lift technique.
This sinus lift technique makes it possible for many patients to have dental implants, when years ago there was no other option but to use removable prostheses.
Dr. Federico Margitic
Guided dental implant surgery
Nowadays the best way to replace lost teeth, whether due to caries, trauma or periodontal disease, are dental implants. It is the best therapeutic option with which we obtain an anchorage to the maxillary bone on which a crown will be placed.
The implants are made of titanium, which favors osseointegration, since the titanium adheres to the bone and the surrounding tissue is mineralized.
In order for all the tissues surrounding the implant to be maintained over time, it is necessary to correctly plan the position of the implant following certain biological parameters.
Dr. Federico Margitic
There are some software that help us to pre-plan the placement of implants and thus be able to perform a guided surgery. And all this taking into account the final result of the prosthesis, as well as the soft tissue and bone tissue.
From a 3D recreation of the patient’s mouth, obtained based on an overlap between a CT scan and a scan of the mouth, and using specific software, we can plan the surgery and accurately determine the final position of the implant.
Given the complexity and precision with which we must maintain the distance between the tooth and the implant, it is very important for us to make an accurate diagnosis with which we can guarantee long-term results.
Frequently asked questions about dental implants
What care does the dental implant need?
Although it is an artificial tooth, you need to take care of it as if it were your own. Maintain proper hygiene, make proper use of toothpaste and dental floss to avoid the appearance of plaque and tartar.
It is true that you do not run the risk of suffering a cavity, but poor hygiene can cause inflammation of the gum leading to diseases such as peri-implantitis.
Will I notice I'm wearing it?
You will not feel a noticeable difference from your natural teeth. The sensation of dental implants is the same as real teeth.
Is the postoperative period painful?
No, it is not painful. You will notice some discomfort that you can eliminate with painkillers. To give you an idea, the healing of this type of surgery is more comfortable than that of the extraction of a tooth.
This operation does not leave open wounds, nor does it leave infected or inflamed areas in the mouth. In fact, there are many patients who do not feel any discomfort when the anesthesia wears off.
Can anyone have dental implants?
In general, there are usually no contraindications for people with certain pathologies. However, depending on the doctor’s diagnosis, it is always a good idea to study each particular case to determine if the implant can be placed.
For example, people who smoke have a higher risk of suffering complications. In the case of diabetic people, it is not good to do any surgery until they have controlled their sugar levels.
Some diseases, such as osteoporosis, and the intake of some types of medication, such as anticoagulants, require a more detailed study by our doctors when making the diagnosis.
Is an implant better than a prosthesis?
A priori, the dental implant is a more beneficial treatment for a patient in the long term. If we do not replace the root when a tooth falls out, the alveolar bone is reabsorbed over time.
It also has a series of added advantages that have made it one of the most popular treatments for the reconstruction of missing teeth. An implant is fixed, unlike dental prostheses which, being movable, can present esthetic and mobility problems in the long term.
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