Dental implants

A new tooth with an dental implant

Implantology is a branch of prosthetics where an artificial root made of titan is placed in the jaw which will virtually replace the person’s root. Dental implants are the best way to replace a missing tooth or teeth, as they feel completely natural and restore the tooth’s shape together with a crown. Unimed uses original implants by Straumann, Neodent, and Ankylos.

Implantation procedure

Implantation begins with a thorough analysis based on the physician’s questions and the following examinations: OPTG panoramic X-ray, models, and 3D X-ray. The dental implant is fixed in the mouth in one visit under local anaesthesia. The crown will be bonded to the dental implant after osseointegration is complete, which generally takes 3–4 months. For long-lasting results, the patient is required to maintain excellent oral hygiene and come to check-ups every 6–12 months.

Implantation is a solution for one or several missing teeth

Individual and multiple teeth can be replaced with dental implants. In the case of one missing tooth, a crown with the shape and function of the patient’s tooth is bonded to the dental implant after osseointegration. If three or more teeth are missing, the patient may prefer a dental bridge. In this case, crowns are connected and supported by a stable base made of two or more dental implants, depending on the size of the gap.

It is important to replace missing teeth

Missing teeth, especially front teeth, are an aesthetic problem that has an impact on a person’s appearance. But another aspect that gets often overlooked is that several unfavourable changes can occur in the area of the missing tooth, making it essential to fill the gap with a prosthetic solution. If a missing tooth is not replaced over a long time, the adjacent teeth shift towards the gap, meaning that there may not be room to replace the tooth later on. If the tooth that is missing is a lower molar, for example, its opposite tooth or the upper molar does not have the necessary support and starts to drop down from its position.

Missing teeth also leads to bone loss which will affect the health of other teeth and gums. There are fewer masticatory surfaces on that side of the mouth, which may lead to the person preferring to chew food with the other side. In turn, this will cause issues with joints in the lower jaw.