Replace your tooth
A dental implant is a very elegant solution, perhaps a bit expensive, but very functional, beautiful and permanent. In addition, a dental implant with a crown or bridge feels like your own teeth.
Dental implants are placed by dentists, oral surgeons, or implantologists. Often working in hospitals or specialized clinics.
Applications
A dental implant replaces the tooth root, on which one or more missing artificial elements (crown) are then placed. This can be, for example, a missing front tooth after an accident, but also a series of molars in, for example, a lower jaw. Implants can also offer a solution for building a bridge construction, or when your jaw has shrunk severely and an artificial prosthesis is causing problems.
Even a complete artificial prosthesis above or below can be worn on multiple implants by means of a click system. This is called an overdenture. For the placement of dental implants, the patient must be an adult (grown out). There is no maximum age.
Titanium screw
An implant is made of titanium: a substance that the body readily accepts. A dental implant is nothing more than a titanium screw, which is placed in the place of the missing element.
In a period of 3-6 months, new bone tissue and gums form around the screw, and the implant is anchored as firmly as a natural tooth root. Titanium dental implants have a lifespan of decades.
Art Elements
Depending on your situation, your dentist will give personal advice about the placement of dental implants. In the case of a missing front tooth, applying one implant with a ceramic structure (crown) is a beautiful, simple and permanent solution. Similar to a crown on a natural tooth, impressions are made of the teeth. A temporary artificial element is often placed on the implant first and later a permanent artificial element – all as natural as possible.
The artificial elements are made of full ceramic material, or they are partly cast from metal with a ceramic top layer. In some specialized dental clinics, a 3D dental model can be assembled in advance of the final result by means of a CT scan.
Advantages
There are several solutions for replacing an element, but an implant offers many advantages. To place an ordinary crown or bridge, healthy tooth roots are necessary and sometimes healthy ‘neighbouring elements’ must also be treated. With an implant you replace both the root and the tooth, without involving other elements. A partial or complete denture (a plate or denture) has the disadvantage that it becomes loose, that pieces of food get under it and that the jawbone may slowly shrink. Taste and speech are impaired and sores and blisters easily develop in the mouth.
Implants in combination with an artificial prosthesis offer the great advantage that a fixed construction is created in which speech and taste are natural, and there is no disturbance in the oral cavity. Implants feel like your own teeth and are often a lot more aesthetically pleasing.
Cons
A disadvantage of implants is that they require surgical treatment; the total treatment time is longer than when working on natural teeth. In addition, extra care must be taken with dental implants with regard to overall oral hygiene. But if you do not replace missing elements, this is often not a pretty sight and other problems can arise: the chewing ability decreases and the neighboring teeth can shift and/or grow out.
Dental implants are not a solution for everyone. If you suffer from health problems (diabetes, severe osteoporosis, after radiation in the head and neck area, etc.), it may be advisable to opt for a different treatment method. Sometimes the expectations of recovery of appearance and/or function are very high. So be well informed in advance about the success rate for your personal situation.
Therapy
The insertion of a dental implant is done during a minor surgical procedure, which can be performed under local anaesthetic. You may experience some discomfort, minor pain, swelling and/or discoloration of the cheek after the procedure (bruising). A simple painkiller and rinsing with a mouth disinfectant are sufficient for these complaints. After eight days you will come back for a check-up and then the stitches will be removed. The implant takes about 3 to 6 months to embed in the maxillary sinus. After this, the construction with the definitive art element takes place.
Costs and insurance
The costs of dental implants are higher than traditional crown and bridge work or a (partial) artificial prosthesis. Different rules apply to the reimbursement of implants. This depends on the cause, the presence of other permanent elements and the condition of the jaw bone.
A treatment plan is usually drawn up in advance with a cost calculation. This is then assessed by the health insurer. For specific questions about reimbursements, please contact your health insurer.
