Dental implants help to restore teeth even in seemingly hopeless cases. The implants do not need to be replaced over time – they are placed for life. Depending on the number of native teeth, the condition of the gums and the jaw, dentists use different types of implants. Each technique has its own indications, advantages and disadvantages.
TYPES OF IMPLANTATION FOR COMPLETE AND PARTIAL TOOTH LOSS
A huge advantage of implantation is that it helps to restore both a single missing tooth and an entire tooth row. If one or more teeth need to be restored, a separate implant (artificial tooth root) is used for each tooth unit. In cases where there are no teeth at all, this technique can be too traumatic. Therefore, implantation of edentulous jaws takes a different approach. There are two main methods:
All-On-4 implantation. Only 4 artificial roots are implanted per jaw. After that, 10-12 crowns are attached to the implants. To calculate exactly where to place the artificial roots, a computer scan is performed and a 3D model is made. This type of dental implantation is suitable if the bone loss due to jaw atrophy is small.
All-On-6 implantation. The principle of this technique is similar. Only crowns are fixed on 6 implants. Due to the fact that there are 6 implants, the “stability” of artificial teeth is increased. This type of implantation is suitable in cases where bone atrophy is already quite pronounced.
Each method of implantation has its own indications and contraindications, nuances of execution. Your dentist will help you to choose the method that is ideally suited for you.
TYPES OF IMPLANTATION ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF EXECUTION
Depending on the method of implant placement, it may take several weeks, months or just a couple of days to restore a tooth.
CLASSIC BIPHASIC TECHNIQUE
This technique is considered the gold standard and is suitable for almost all patients. It is performed in two phases. First, the dentist cuts the gum, places the titanium implant and sutures it in place. After 10-14 days, the sutures are removed, and then wait for the artificial root to take root. Gradually, bone cells grow into the surface of the implant and securely fix it. This usually takes 4-6 months.
The time frame depends on the type and size of the implant and the individual characteristics of the body. When the artificial root has taken root, a crown is placed on it. If there is not enough bone tissue in the root due to atrophy, it is augmented. This is done with the help of an operation called a sinus elevator.
The main disadvantage of this technique is a very long interval between the installation of the implant and the crown. Thanks to the development of dentistry and the emergence of new varieties of implants, the classical technique has been modernized. This is how the following type of implantation came into being.
EXPRESS IMPLANTATION OR ONE-STAGE TECHNIQUE
It is excellent in cases where the implant is placed immediately after tooth extraction. It is placed directly on the root without cutting the gum. This helps to save time and minimize the number of interventions. After 1-2 hours, the patient leaves the dentist’s office with the implant and crown in place.
This implant technique is suitable in such cases:
- there is enough bone tissue for implantation and there are no signs of bone atrophy;
- there is no inflammation or infection of the gum;
- the neighboring teeth are healthy.
In one-stage implantation, classical implants, which consist of an artificial root and crown, and so-called monoblocs – one-piece non-disposable structures – can be used.