Date of update: 2023-02-21 11:13:45

Do I need an implant for every missing tooth?

If there is sufficient bone, dentists always prefer to replace each missing tooth with an implant. However, in some cases, two implants can be placed spaced apart and a bridge prosthesis can be made. The number of implants to be placed is determined only after the radiographic examination of the dentist.

What method is applied if there is not enough bone in the area to be implanted?

The density, height and thickness of the bone in the implant area are important. This directly affects the success of the implant. In cases where the bone is not sufficient, it is necessary to create bone with different techniques (using bone grafts) to increase the amount of bone. For this procedure, sinus lift in the upper posterior region, block grafting, bone formation in the lower jaw in horizontal and vertical directions can be performed.

Can patients using palatal (removable) dentures benefit from implant treatment?

Today, even patients with a completely toothless mouth can get rid of removable prostheses directly if they have enough bone, if not, they can get rid of removable prostheses thanks to implants to be made after bone formation. It is very difficult for the patient to use a removable prosthesis, especially in the toothless lower jaw. Because a tongue that is constantly moving inside and cheeks and lips outside give the patient a lot of trouble during speaking and eating. Problems related to the prosthesis, which cannot remain stable with tongue, lip, cheek and chewing movements in the lower jaw and often causes knocking, can be solved with implant applications. In addition, problems such as nausea caused by the design that closes the palate to ensure the retention of the upper total dentures are also eliminated. Fixed or removable implant-supported prostheses can be made. In both types of prosthesis, complaints of play and nausea are eliminated.

What are the Benefits of Implants?

Replacing a lost tooth with an implant is important for the health and function of the surrounding teeth and the entire chewing system. While obtaining a tooth that fulfills the aesthetic and chewing function in the natural tooth form, the surrounding teeth are prevented from shifting into the lost tooth cavity and deformities in other teeth. In addition, bone loss that occurs over time in the cavity formed after tooth extraction is prevented by implantation.

What is the advantage of the implant procedure compared to bridge construction?

In patients with a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth, the teeth in front of and behind the missing gap need to be cut and reduced in bridge tooth construction. In implant application, the problem of toothlessness can be solved by replacing the missing tooth with an implant without the need to cut any teeth.

Can implants be applied to every patient?

Implant application is a successful treatment that can be applied to everyone except for some exceptional cases. Anyone who has bone of a thickness, height and quality where the implant can be placed can be implanted after evaluating their "health status". Having enough bone tissue in a person depends on some factors. Some people may have too thin/thick or too little/too much bone due to heredity. In some people, tooth and gingival inflammations cause the bone tissue around them to melt and decrease. Therefore, if it is decided to extract a tooth, it is beneficial to do it immediately to avoid bone loss. In some cases, the implant is waited after the extraction without implantation, and in some cases, the implant can be placed in the same session as the extraction.

Can there be a situation where the body does not accept the implants?

There are no known side effects or allergic reactions to implants in the human body, but some patients may not be suitable for implant placement.

In which cases is implant implantation risky?

- Diabetes and chronic cardiovascular diseases that affect healing

- Young patients with incomplete bone development

- Pregnant women

- People who smoke heavily (smoking suppresses healing in the mouth and can lead to poor implant success)

- Alcohol or drug addicts

- People who have received high doses of radiotherapy to the head and neck

- People with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, connective tissue diseases, hemophilia and significant immune system deficiencies

- Implants cannot be performed in individuals who use corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs.

Implant application in these patient groups is risky and may result in failure. However, depending on the degree and severity of their condition, implant placement may be possible. The final decision on this issue belongs to the dentist "provided that systemic consultation is made".

What is done during the initial examination for implants?

The purpose of the initial examination is to determine whether the area where you are missing teeth is suitable for an implant. After detailed information about your systemic health, an intraoral examination is performed. Panoramic radiography or three-dimensional images (tomography) are taken from the relevant areas and modeling is performed to determine your implant suitability and the type of implant to be applied.

+ Is it mandatory to have a tomography before implant?

It is very important to have a panoramic x-ray or more detailed tomographic jaw x-ray before implant treatment. Since three-dimensional imaging methods show the condition of the jaw bones very clearly, tomographs are used to determine whether there is bone of good quality for the implant and increase the success of the surgery.

+ How is implant treatment performed and what processes does it involve?

Implant application is a simple procedure with today's technology. First, the area is numbed with local anesthesia, a slot is prepared in the place of the tooth that is not in the bone where the implant will be placed and the implant is placed in this slot. After the implant is placed, screws that will remain on the implant during the healing period are placed and the healing period is waited. In order for the dental implants to remain healthy against the pressures caused by chewing, they must fully fuse with the jawbone. This period varies according to the type of operation, the region, the age and health status of the patient. After the operation, a period of time is required for the construction of permanent prostheses. In case of bone insufficiency, the waiting period may be longer for implants made in areas where new bone has been formed. Afterwards, measurements are taken and the planned prosthesis is made.

Do I feel pain during implantation?

Since surgical procedures are performed under local anesthesia, there is no pain during the procedure. In laser-assisted applications, swelling and pain after the procedure are usually minimized. Painkillers given by your physician will prevent the pain you will feel after the procedure.

How much does the implant procedure affect my daily life?

If it does not involve a very large area, you can usually go to work the next day and return to your daily life.

What should I pay attention to during the healing period after implant surgery?

After implant surgery, it is important to apply cold to the treated area at regular intervals in line with your physician's recommendation. This will prevent edema and swelling. It is also important to use the medications prescribed by your physician regularly and low-dose laser applications applied to accelerate healing during the healing period. Your oral care should be very good during this period. Poor oral hygiene is one of the leading causes of implant failures. You should also see your dentist periodically during the healing period of the treatment.

How should I eat after the implant?

Hot foods and drinks should be avoided for the first few days after implant treatment. More soft and nutritious foods should be consumed. There will be no restrictions on eating and drinking after the wound healing is completed.

What kind of oral care should I apply after the implant?

Just as we brush our natural teeth regularly, we should brush the implant area in the same way. You should add routine use of dental floss and interface brushes to the care you do with toothbrush and paste. Thus, the amount of bacteria in the mouth can be reduced. The use of mouthwash will make a great contribution to oral hygiene.

Can tooth extraction and implant application be performed on the same day?

Immediate implant application after tooth extraction is called "immediate implant application". It is a technique that can be preferred when appropriate conditions are provided. The biggest risk in this procedure is the infected tissues in the extraction socket. Laser dental systems provide us with the opportunity to selectively remove infected tissues. In this way, we can remove the infected tissues without damaging the bone tissue. In addition, the structure and quality of bone tissue is also important for immediate application. If the correct technique is applied in implant applications performed immediately after extraction, the possibility of bone loss is reduced.

Will I be toothless until my prosthesis is made after the implant?

Depending on the number of missing teeth, your dentist will decide how temporary prosthesis will be made. If you have too many missing teeth, you can use a temporary removable prosthesis or a fixed prosthesis depending on the method used. In cases of complete edentulism and in some cases partial edentulism, it is possible to make fixed temporary teeth instantly by applying the Fast & Fixed technique.

How long do implants last?

The most important factor that determines the lifespan of an implant placed in the patient's mouth is the patient's attention to daily care. Like all patients, patients with implants should consult a dentist every 6 months and have their teeth cleaned. If a problem is detected during these checks, early intervention can prevent the progression of problems.

Are there any disadvantages of implants?

Since implant materials are produced with high technology and the materials used are imported, the cost is higher than conventional prostheses.

Waiting for the implant to fuse with the bone for the prosthesis to be applied and therefore the treatment takes longer than other treatment alternatives.

Is it possible to use devices such as MRI or tomography from the head and neck area after implant treatment?

Devices such as MRI or tomography can be used after implant treatment, but implants can only reflect light in their very close surroundings, which may cause a decrease in image quality in the very close area.

Can implant treatment fail?

Current research shows that surgical placement of root-shaped implants is 98% successful over time, compared to 60% for bridge prostheses over a 10-year period. Failure with this type of implant usually occurs within the first year after the surgical procedure. After this period, the implant failure rate decreases to 1% per year. The success of the treatment is related to the patient's healing potential, smoking, oral hygiene, the presence of systemic diseases that may affect healing such as diabetes, the brand of the implant used and the surgical skill of the physician.

What kind of complications are seen during implant surgery?

Every surgical intervention has a risk of complications. These complications include bleeding, infection and injuries to the nerves, sinus and nasal cavity. It is possible to minimize these possibilities with a good examination and radiological control. Three-dimensional imaging methods are effective in reducing complications. The experience of the physician and the implant system used are also very important.

Is an implant an expensive treatment?

Rapid developments in technology and the advancement of implant production with this developing technology make the cost of this application high. In addition, the import of high quality materials also increases the price of implant treatment. The titanium used in implants is a very advanced industrial product obtained with 99.9% purity. This is why the price of admission to the practice is high. Whether the price of implant treatment is high or low depends on the brand of implant applied and the auxiliary surgical materials used during the procedure. However, patients who want to make a definite and reliable investment in oral and dental health prefer implants that they can use like their natural teeth. In a number of surveys conducted on this subject, it has been concluded that people who have implants are very satisfied with their situation and that they can have the same application again if necessary.

Is the brand of the implant important?

As an implant brand, implant systems that attach importance to R&D studies, have demonstrated success in the long term, have no problems in technical support and offer sufficient options for prosthetic superstructure should be selected.

Is there an age limit for getting implants?

Implant treatment can be performed at any age after bone development is completed (approximately 18 years). There is no specific age limit. Implants can be applied to anyone who does not have a systemic disorder that would prevent implantation and whose bone quality is appropriate.