Conditions for dental implants

Dental Implant Conditions, Dental implant procedures have become an important step for many people aiming to replace missing teeth. In the following paragraphs, we will learn about the stages of dental implantation and what distinguishes this procedure, as well as its drawbacks and resulting damages, so follow us in this article.

Dental Implant Conditions

The dental implant procedure requires certain criteria and conditions, which are as follows:

• There must be a sufficient amount of jaw bone in the area where the patient wishes to have the implant performed. If there is not enough, the doctor will resort to bone grafting first before dental implantation.
• It is important that the patient enjoys good health and does not suffer from any diseases that affect bone health, such as chronic diseases, diabetes, or osteoporosis.
• The doctor must perform some tests and x-rays to ensure that the jaw bones in which the implant is desired are sufficiently far from the mouth nerves and nasal cavities.
• It is necessary for the patient to quit smoking completely before and after the implant procedure.
• It is essential that the patient’s age is not less than 18 years to ensure that the bones have fully developed.
• The patient must take care of oral and dental health after the implant procedure, just as they would with their natural teeth on a permanent basis.
• Regular visits to the dentist are required to monitor oral and dental health and treat any issues that may arise immediately.

Stages of Dental Implantation

Dental implantation is performed in four stages, which we will discuss in detail in the following points:

• First Stage: The first stage begins once the patient decides to have dental implants to replace missing teeth. The specialist doctor will request a comprehensive oral examination and confirm the patient’s health condition. In some cases, the doctor may request blood and calcium tests, as well as CT scans of the teeth, to ensure that implantation is the most suitable option for replacing missing teeth.
• Second Stage: The doctor develops a complete plan for performing the implant procedure and studies the desired area for implantation, assessing the density of the jaw bone, the diameter of the jaw bone, and the angle at which the metal post will be inserted into the jaw bone.
• Third Stage: The patient undergoes local anesthesia, and the doctor begins by thoroughly disinfecting the area and making a small incision in the gum to expose the jaw bone. The titanium implants are then inserted into the jaw bone according to the previously developed plan. The titanium posts are left in the jaw bone for a period of 3 to 6 months to allow the implants to fuse properly with the jaw bone.
• Fourth Stage: During the waiting period for the implants to heal and fuse with the jaw bone, the patient undergoes several sessions to take measurements of the teeth and mouth to manufacture the artificial teeth according to those measurements. The crown or artificial tooth is then installed on top of the metal post. Zirconia is considered the best material for manufacturing crowns as its color closely resembles that of natural teeth and blends well with them.

If you want to learn more details about the steps of dental implantation, you can follow the next article.

Groups That Can Undergo Dental Implant Procedures

There are specific groups of people who are eligible for dental implants, which include the following:

• A patient who has lost one or more teeth is a candidate for dental implants for one or more teeth, depending on their condition and needs.
• A person with fully developed jaw bone, as the doctor needs to place the metal post within the jaw bone.
• A patient who does not want to wear a fixed or removable denture, which may cause embarrassment.
• A person who wants to enjoy a beautiful smile and an aesthetic, well-aligned set of teeth.
• An individual who enjoys good health and a disease- and inflammation-free mouth.

Are Dental Implants Successful?

This is one of the most common questions that many people ask before undergoing dental implants. We want to remove this confusion and reassure everyone that dental implants have proven to be highly successful in recent times, due to the following reasons:

• The implanted teeth rely on posts that resemble natural roots, which are secured within the jaw bone to remain permanent.
• They are considered one of the best techniques to help preserve jaw bone from deterioration in the area of missing teeth.
• They facilitate chewing food and pronouncing sounds correctly while speaking.

The success of dental implants depends on the skill and competence of the specialist doctor performing the procedure, with a success rate of up to 97%.

Drawbacks of Dental Implants

Despite the great success achieved by dental implants, as mentioned above, they are not without drawbacks and damages, like any surgical or cosmetic procedure, which can be summarized in the following points:

• One of the main drawbacks of dental implants is the occurrence of inflammation in the gum surrounding the implant due to bacterial infection.
• They are not a quick solution, as they require a lot of time to achieve the final result, with a waiting period of 3 to 6 months for the implant to fuse with the jaw bone.
• Some cases require additional procedures before performing the bone grafting, such as if the jaw bone is weak due to osteoporosis. The doctor may need to graft bone in the weak part of the jaw, and they may also need to lift the nasal sinus if it is enlarged and reaches the area requiring bone grafting.
• Dental implants are relatively expensive, as each implant requires a substantial amount compared to other cosmetic procedures.
• Some complications may arise, although they are usually minor and treatable, such as infection at the implant site, damage to other teeth or blood vessels, nerve damage resulting in pain or numbness, bleeding, or injury to the nasal cavity and sinuses due to protrusion of the upper jaw implant.

There are many more details related to the drawbacks and damages of dental implants, which we will clarify in this article.

How to Avoid the Drawbacks of Dental Implants

There are, of course, some instructions and advice that must be followed to avoid the drawbacks resulting from dental implants, which include the following:

• Be sure to choose a skilled and highly competent dental specialist in implantation.
• It is essential to follow the doctor’s instructions and implement them properly to ensure the success of the implant procedure.
• Take good care of oral and dental hygiene daily after meals and before bedtime, using the appropriate toothbrush and fluoride-enriched toothpaste, and flossing at least once a day to remove food residues.
• Make regular visits every six months to the dentist to ensure the health of the implant and the implanted teeth.
• Adhere to a protein-rich diet including eggs, fish, meat, and dairy products.
• Quit smoking before and after the implant procedure to avoid many potential problems and complications.

Symptoms of Dental Implant Failure

As we mentioned earlier, the success rate of dental implants is very high, but implant failure can still occur in some cases, which manifests through the following symptoms:

Feeling some pain and swelling after a dental implant procedure is completely normal, but severe, unbearable pain that persists for a long time may indicate a problem, and the doctor should be consulted immediately if any of the following symptoms occur:

• If pain occurs immediately after the implant procedure and gradually increases without subsiding.
• If the pain lasts for more than 15 days after the procedure.
• If the pain is continuous and accompanied by a fever.
• If the patient complains of significant swelling in the cheek that persists for more than 7 days.
• If the pain does not go away despite taking painkillers.
• If the patient feels that the implant is moving or coming out of place.

Dental Implant Failure

One of the major problems faced by patients who have undergone dental implants is the failure of the implant, which can be divided into two types that we will explain as follows:

Early Dental Implant Failure

This type involves the early dislodgement of the dental implant post before it has completely fused with the jaw bone, which can be attributed to the following reasons:

• Bacterial infections in the tissues surrounding the implant post, which may result from a pre-existing tooth abscess or bacterial infection from the mouth. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain good oral hygiene.
• Insufficient jaw bone around the implant post, which can lead to eventual dislodgement.
• Improper sterilization of the instruments used in the implant procedure or the use of an implant post of unknown origin.
• Performing the procedure at a high temperature, which can cause cell death in the implant area. If the post is placed in dead cells, it will not fuse or integrate properly, leading to dislodgement.

Late Dental Implant Failure

As the name suggests, late failure occurs after some time following the implantation into the jaw bone and results from certain issues, such as:

• Excessive loading on the implant post, which exerts pressure beyond its load-bearing capacity.
• Premature loading on the implant post without allowing sufficient time, as determined by the doctor, for the post to fully integrate with the bone before installing the artificial tooth crowns.
• The patient’s failure to follow the doctor’s instructions properly.

For more information about dental implant post failure, you can read the next article.

Alternatives to Dental Implants

Despite the advantages and numerous benefits of dental implants, they may not suit a large group of people. Therefore, they seek available alternatives that are compatible with their condition and needs, which include the following procedures:

Fixed Dental Prosthetics

These are artificial teeth that are permanently installed in the mouth and cannot be removed except by a specialist dentist.

They are distinguished by features that make them an excellent choice for replacing missing teeth, as they help improve the ability to chew food and produce sounds correctly while speaking. Additionally, they provide an aesthetic appearance that resembles natural teeth.

Fixed dental prosthetics can be divided into two main types:

• Dental Crowns: Defined as a cap placed over a decayed or damaged tooth to restore and preserve it for a longer period. The crown is used for a single tooth or molar and is made from a variety of materials such as zirconia, porcelain, or others.
• Dental Bridges: Bridges are a combination of multiple crowns in a single unit, secured on both sides of the damaged or missing tooth, using the adjacent teeth for support and stability.

Removable Dental Prosthetics

These are dental prosthetics that can be easily installed and removed, consisting of a metal or acrylic base that is secured inside the mouth.

This type of prosthetic is used when the patient’s condition does not allow for the installation of crowns or bridges, such as complete tooth loss, or when the remaining teeth are too weak to support crowns and bridges due to weak gums or osteoporosis.

Removable dental prosthetics are divided into full and partial dentures:

• Full Dentures: One of the best techniques historically used to replace completely missing teeth and considered moderately priced compared to dental implants.
• Partial Dentures: Used to replace a portion of missing teeth while preserving the remaining natural teeth.

If you have further inquiries about the alternative that suits your condition and what is appropriate for you, we recommend contacting one of the best medical centers currently available, The Dental Center,” which has a team of the best and most skilled specialists in dental cosmetics who provide excellent services at the best prices. You can contact the center directly through their official website by clicking on this link.