Dental Implant

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of materials compatible with human
tissues, placed in the jawbone to restore the function and aesthetics of
missing teeth. They are screw-shaped structures produced in various sizes
and diameters, designed to imitate tooth roots, mostly produced from titanium
with improved surface properties.

Dental bimplant treatment is carried out in two stages. The first stage is the
preparation of a slot suitable for the size and diameter of the implant decided
to be used in the area where the implant will be placed, in the correct
position and at an ideal angle without damaging neighboring teeth, soft tissues
and other anatomical structures, and the surgical stage in which the implant is
placed in the prepared slot. After the implant is placed in the bone, the
healing process necessary for it to become a part of the body and to fuse with
the bone begins. This process takes approximately three months, but may be
shorter or longer in some cases. With the end of the waiting period, the
second stage is started and the prostheses planned at the beginning of the
treatment are started on the implants.

Who Can Apply Dental Implant Treatment?

Dental implants can be applied by using advanced surgical techniques in cases where
the jaw bone is sufficient in volume, has completed jaw development without
health problems, and even in cases where the bone is not sufficient. Whether
the amount of bone in the missing tooth area for which implant treatment is
planned is sufficient, the patient’s current oral health and the patient’s
habits (smoking, alcohol use, tooth clenching, etc.) are evaluated. In
addition to these, in order for the treatment to be successful, the systemic
condition of the patient should be evaluated very well while planning
treatment. If there is uncontrolled diabetes, diseases related to bone
metabolism, cardiovascular diseases, bleeding coagulation disorders as well as
previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment, the patient should be
consulted in writing with the relevant doctor.

Implant Treatment Process

There may be intense concern in patients regarding the surgical phase of implant
treatment. However, you can easily say that every patient who has an
implant has had a tooth extraction experience in his past and he is nervous
because he compares this procedure with tooth extraction. However, the
stage of dental implant placement is a simpler, painless and comfortable procedure
for the patient than tooth extraction and is completed in about 10
minutes. If the patient follows the doctor’s recommendations after the
procedure and uses the prescribed medications correctly, they do not have any
problems. The prosthesis part, which is the second stage of the treatment,
is almost the same as the normal prosthesis procedures and is uncomfortable for
the patient. Preferably, it can be used in temporary prostheses for
functional purposes between the two stages.

Since the placement of dental implants is a surgical
procedure, this procedure should preferably be performed by a ‘Maxillofacial
Surgeon’. The approaches and experiences of a physician specialized in
this field before, during and after the procedure will result in more positive
results for the patient. The environment in which the treatment will be
performed should be a sterile environment in accordance with the requirements
of the surgery. It is the physician’s responsibility for the sterility and
suitability of all materials to be used. It is important that the
physician and the environment are as well as the competence of the auxiliary
staff.

After Implant Treatment

The process of titanium dental implants joining with bone to become a part of the body
takes place by a much different mechanism than living organ transplants. For
this reason, conditions such as tissue incompatibility, blood incompatibility
cannot be mentioned for this treatment method, and there is no need for special
tests before the procedure. The situation, which is described as the
rejection of dental implants by the society, has no proven scientific basis. Likewise,
there are no published scientific studies showing that titanium used in the
production of dental implants causes an allergic reaction or causes other diseases.

Failures of dental implants can be mentioned as a result of not integrating with the bone
after their placement. The first cause of the unsuccessful treatments is
the cases where infections occur around the implants as a result of the
patient’s not paying attention to the doctor’s recommendations after the
procedure. This is followed by incorrect treatment planning and inadequate
surgical technique. To summarize briefly; In the light of the results
of scientific studies conducted on the subject for more than 30 years, the
success of dental implants is reported between 90-98 percent, considering
various conditions and brands. In other words, when the appropriate
conditions are provided and a correct treatment process is followed, the
failure of dental implants is almost non-existent.

In addition to the treatment of one or more tooth loss with dental implants, it is possible
to provide treatment by using dental implants in cases where the patient has
lost all of his teeth. In a patient who has lost all their teeth, the
necessary basis for a fixed prosthesis can be prepared by placing eight
implants in a jaw. The number of implants to be placed may vary depending
on the patient. However, dental implants can also be used to provide
retention. In patients with intense bone loss and who are afraid of
advanced surgical procedures, 2 or 4 implants can be placed in one jaw and
removable prostheses can be made on these implants. The purpose of this
treatment option is to increase the life standard of the patient with
prostheses that provide aesthetics and do not move during the function.