Dental Implants - FAQ
What is a dental implant?
A natural tooth comprises a crown and a root. The crown is the portion of the tooth that is visible above the gum and the root is located within the bone, below the gums. Dental implants were developed to substitute the roots of missing teeth. They can be in a number of formats and sizes and are anchored in the mandibular or maxillary bone. Dental implants can be inserted at any age (as long as the growth period is over) and have a very high rate of success, around 98%, when the procedure is performed in credible and competent institutions. The wrong choice of clinic can lead to a number of problems.
What happens when an implant is rejected?
When the osseointegration of the implant does not occur, the implant that has been rejected must be substituted by a new implant. The procedure is extremely simple and does not entail any additional cost to the patient at the Implantology Institute®. Currently, the rate of operations to substitute rejected implants is less than 2%.
Are there any counter-indications for treatments involving implants?
There are certain systemic pathologies that could delay the healing process. Certain habits such as smoking could also contribute towards a less than favorable post-operative recovery. A comprehensive clinical history accompanied by complementary examinations for a suitable diagnosis and surgical indications that are specific to each case allow the dentist to foresee and prevent possible side effects.
Is the treatment painful?
No. As in the majority of treatments, this procedure is performed under local anesthetic and the patient feels no pain. After the surgical intervention, the patient is medicated to improve post-operative recovery, reducing swelling and some sensation of pain that could exist.
How long does an implant last?
In the same way that nobody can precisely predict how long a natural tooth will last, the life span of an implant varies a great deal and depends, above all, on the care that has been taken to maintain the implant. Adequate oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist will ensure a good prognosis in terms of the longevity of the implants. There are well-documented cases of implants that have been placed over 30 years ago that are still functioning well.
How often should one have oral hygiene check-ups?
Such appointments should be scheduled every 3 to 6 months, depending on the level of oral hygiene that the patient has achieved at home. In the case of oral rehabilitation supported by implants, the interval between appointments varies according to the scale of the rehabilitation.
Can oral hygiene check-ups help to ensure the success of my implants?
Oral hygiene is as important for teeth as for implants. Bacteria have the capacity to accumulate around implants and can lead to infections that can jeopardize the rehabilitation. Thus, careful hygiene and conservation are essential to ensure the long-term durability and functioning of the implants.
