Dental Implants

Dental implants are a method of dental prosthetics in which the dental specialist replaces the roots of the teeth with titanium implants on which artificial teeth are placed. These new teeth have perfect aesthetics and functionality. The procedure depends on the type of implant and the patient’s oral and dental hygiene.

Unfortunately, no. There are some criteria, which the patient has to meet. The requirements are the following:

• Have one or more missing teeth.
• Have a jawbone that’s reached full growth.
• Have adequate bone to secure the implants or are able to have a bone graft.
• Have healthy oral tissues.
• The patient should not suffer from diseases that affect healing (e.g diabetes)

Our long-term experience in prosthetics, as well as our innovative dental technology, make us pioneers in the field of prosthetics. Taking into account your wishes and needs we discuss and design the smile you want.

The contraindications of this method are divided into two major categories: absolute and relative.

Absolute contraindications are situations in which it is practically forbidden to place implants. These situations are:

• Immune deficiencies
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
• Patients with a history of recent myocardial infraction
• Patients taking bisphosphonates and are at high risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ)
• Patients with a history of recent radiation and/or chemotherapy treatment

In the relevant contraindications, we have conditions that directly affect the functionality and the hygiene of the oral cavity (e.g. smoking, bruxism). If this condition is reversible and treatable, this method can be used. It is very important to discuss with your dentist these problems. We are at your disposal to discuss all your possible questions and to find the most ideal solution for you, always with the aim of obtaining the smile you have always wanted!

Implants are both aesthetic and functional. Their advantages are:

• They have almost the same performance and appearance as a real tooth.
• They do not require the extraction of adjacent teeth
• Excellent durability
• Easy daily care, very similar to daily oral hygiene methods

Like any other method, dental implants have some disadvantages. This method has a potentially high cost and is invasive (without requiring the extraction of adjacent teeth). In addition, the healing time is about 4 months and there is a small possibility of complications (eg infection), which are, however, treatable and reversible.

Every case is unique and our team has many years of experience in this field. The operations are performed in a completely sterile environment and with the help of the most modern technology in the field of prosthetics.

A typical implant consists of a titanium screw (which looks like a tooth root) with a rough or smooth surface. The majority of dental implants are made of titanium, but can also have carbon, nitrogen and iron. On top of the screw, we place the artificial abutment and crown, which can be made of the following materials:

• Gold: considered by many experts to be perhaps the best material, due to its high resistance, but it has a poor aesthetic effect.
• Porcelain: has a very beautiful aesthetic effect and generally good resistance to time. Nowadays, it is used in combination with metal, so that it has higher resistance.
• Resin: has an excellent aesthetic effect and can be easily repaired or modified. However, its construction requires more skill and time.
• Zirconia all-ceramics: it has the best aesthetic result and a great durability.

The procedure of manufacturing and placing the implants requires the cooperation of many specialists, such as the dentist, the maxillofacial surgeon and the dental technologist. The dentist has to take the patient’s medical history, examine the oral cavity and take the necessary x-rays. The treatment plan is personalized and takes into account the special characteristics of the patient. Usually, the procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia.

Implants, which look like small screws, are placed in the jaw bone. More specifically, an incision is made in the gums in the area where the implants are to be placed, so the gums are removed from the bone. Using a surgical dental splint, the places where the implants will be placed are identified and are opened in these places to the dimensions of the implants. The implants are placed there, where they remain for 3-6 months until the healing. During these 3-6 months, a temporary dental restoration is placed over the implants. Immediately after the placement of the implant, the aesthetics and functionality of the area returns to normal.

The sutures that are commonly used are absorbable. If they are not, the dentist has to cut them. The patient should eat soft foods until healing takes place. The dentist will give clear instructions for the whole procedure.