Dental implants

Functional principle of modern dental implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are inserted into the jaw to support dentures. They are made of biocompatible material such as titanium or ceramics and have a similar structure to screws, with typical threads and a rough surface structure that allows them to grow firmly into the bone. This process, called the "healing phase", lasts a few weeks and is of great importance for the dental implant to perform its function optimally.

It is also important that the gums heal well after the implant is placed and that no inflammation or infection occurs.

The gum in its original function

You can see from the schematic representation that the gum assumes its original role in dental implants: It perfectly surrounds the tooth (replacement) and seals the implant canal up to the jawbone. It must be ensured that the development of germs in the area of the implants is not increased by shaping the abutments well with the gums.

There are many different variations of dental implants that are suitable for different applications. One of the most important factors is the amount of bone present. Both the ratio of the upper jaw to the lower jaw and the ratio of the anterior tooth to the molar region vary greatly. In addition, in implantology we distinguish between different materials (ceramic and titanium) and the conceptual design of an implant (single-unit and multi-unit implants).

SMALL DIAMETER

Their small diameter makes one-piece implants so special. This makes implantation possible even where there is too little space for conventional implants. This often occurs with implants for single teeth, but is also used in other areas. For example:

• Anchors in orthodontics
• for full dentures in case of problems such as pressure points and insecure retention
• Interim implant for the cementation of long-term temporaries

Of course, one-piece implants also vary in length, but the small diameter below 2mm is often the key for implantological planning. Conventional implants measure well over 3mm in diameter. This is achieved at the expense of the interior. One-piece implants do not have one and therefore no screw connection is possible.

See a difference in size of classic implants compared to one-piece implants in the X-ray image.

STANDARD OF IMPLANTOLOGY

Multi-part dental implants made of titanium, are the standard in implantology. Due to their modular design, they are highly flexible and thus offer numerous advantages.

Moreover, the high popularity among buyers has allowed this form of implants to develop a healthy price-performance ratio.

ADVANTAGES OF MULTI-PART IMPLANTS

The basic concept of screwing the abutments results in a decoupling of visible elements (built-up denture) and the actual implant in the jawbone, where it grows firmly. Once the prosthesis has been fabricated and inserted, it is firmly attached to the abutments, but can still be removed for cleaning and implant prophylaxis as part of the usual follow-up care. The advantages are as follows:

• Better control possibility of the oral health
• Better hygienic efficiency in implant prophylaxis
  Combinability of ceramic and titanium for better esthetics
• More complex work over several teeth can be realized
• Repairs of larger work become possible at all by removing the denture