Despite improvements in oral care, millions of Romanians are affected by tooth loss, primarily caused by tooth decay, periodontal disease, and certain injuries and accidents. For many years, the only treatment options available for people with missing teeth were bridges and dentures. But today, much more effective and reliable aesthetic and functional options are available: dental implants.
Dental implants replace tooth roots. Implants provide a solid foundation for replacement (permanent) or removable teeth, which are made to match your natural teeth.
Ce avantaje oferă implanturile dentare?
There are several advantages to dental implants, including:
Improving the appearance. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. And because they are designed to fuse with your bone, they become permanent.
Improved speech. With ill-fitting dentures, teeth can slip inside your mouth, causing you to bite yourself or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that your dentures might slip.
Improving comfort. Because they become part of you, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.
Easier to eat. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favourite foods with confidence and without pain.
Improving self-esteem. Dental implants can give you a smile, help you feel better, and boost your confidence.
Improving oral health. Dental implants do not require the removal of other teeth, as is the case with dental bridges. Because neighbouring teeth are not modified to support the implant, more of your natural teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow for easier access between teeth, enhancing oral hygiene.
Durability. Implants are very durable and will last for many years. With good care and diligent attention, many implants have a long lifespan.
Convenience. Removable dentures can be taken out and removed. Dental implants eliminate the embarrassing inconveniences of removing dentures, as well as the need for messy adhesives to keep them in place.
Care este rata de succes pentru implanturile dentare?
The success rate for dental implants varies depending on where they are placed, but, in general, dental implants have a success rate of up to 98%. With proper care (see below), implants can last a lifetime.
Anyone who has lost one or more teeth can benefit from dental implants.
In most cases, anyone healthy enough for routine tooth extraction or oral surgery can be considered suitable for a dental implant.
Patients must have healthy gums and sufficient bone structure to support the implant. They must also commit to good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist. Heavy smokers, individuals suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, or patients who have undergone radiotherapy in the head/neck area will be assessed individually. If you are considering dental implants, speak with your dentist to see if they are suitable for you.
What does getting a dental implant involve?
The first step in the dental implant insertion process involves the development of an individualised treatment plan. The plan is tailored to your specific needs and is prepared by a team of professionals who are specially trained and experienced in oral surgery and restorative dentistry. This approach will allow you to have a coordinated dental restoration based on the best implant option for you.
Next, the tooth root implant, a small titanium screw, is placed into the bony socket of the missing tooth. As the jaw tissue heals and remodels around the implanted metal screw, it anchors securely within the jaw. The healing process can take between six and 12 weeks.
Once the implant has integrated with the jawbone, a small connector – called an abutment – is attached to the screw to securely hold the new tooth. To shape the new tooth or teeth, your dentist will take a dental impression and create a bite model, which will capture all your teeth, their type, and their arrangement. Your new tooth or teeth are based on this model. A replacement tooth, called a crown, is then attached to the abutment. Instead of one or more individual crowns, some patients may have attachments placed on the implants, which retain and support a removable denture.
The dentist will also match the colour of your new teeth to your natural teeth. Because the implant is secured inside your jawbone, the replacement teeth look, feel and function just like natural teeth.
How painful are dental implants?
The majority of people who have had dental implants say there is very little discomfort involved in the procedure. Local anaesthesia can be used during the procedure, and most patients have reported that implants involve less pain than a tooth extraction.
Following dental implant insertion surgery, mild pain can be managed with analgesic medication recommended by your dentist.
Cu ce trebuie să am grijă de implanturile dentare?
Dental implants require the same care as real teeth, including brushing, flossing, rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash, and regular dental check-ups.
For more information on dental implants, please read the articles on our blog. We look forward to seeing you at our practice at 2 Lupeni Street for a consultation and to assess a personalised treatment plan, outlining the best options for your oral health.