From all the procedures, used to replace one tooth or all teeth, dental implants have become one of the most common and sought-after methods today. The main reason is that over the last 50 years implants have evolved from an experimental therapeutic procedure to a highly predictable and easy-to-use option. It can be used safely and successfully following international guidelines. This is proven by the high survival rate of implants, which is over 95 % for 10 years after implantation.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a titanium alloy screw that can be painlessly inserted into the jawbone during sterile surgery using a special surgical procedure. Due to the special properties of titanium, dental implants are fully tolerated by the body and can be embedded in the jawbone. This artificial root can be used to fix prosthetic elements (e.g. crowns, bridges) to replace lost teeth, thus restoring the patient's lost chewing ability and natural aesthetic appearance.
In which cases are dental implants used?
Dental implants are widely used to replace one tooth or more lost teeth with high reliability. They can be used to rehabilitate the entire dental arch and offer a wide range of options for the restoration of completely missing teeth. They can fix overdentures, but they can also be used with great reliability to fix crowns or bridges.
What are the advantages of having dental implants?
In the absence of stress from mastication the toothless jawbone ridge will atrophy. Implants can be used to restore the jawbone. Traditional tooth replacements (e.g. bridges) often involve grinding the teeth neighboring the gap, which can cause tooth sensitivity or decay. The crowns and bridges often have areas that are difficult to clean, which significantly increases the risk of developing periodontal disease. All these problems can be avoided by using dental implants.