F.A.Q
F.A.Q
Frequently Questioned Answers
Yes. There is no contraindication. But it must be done with proper planning in selected cases and with proper prosthetic rehabilitation. Only then will the therapeutic effect be reliable and have longevity.
There are two different loading protocols, the classic delayed loading and the immediate loading.
In the classical protocol, we wait 3 weeks to 4 months after the implant placement, we perform an osseointegration test and we complete the case with the final prosthetics.
In selected cases we can follow the immediate loading protocol. The teeth are placed on the same or next day after surgery (provisional teeth). The final prosthetic is placed once the osseointegration is complete.
Includes four phases:
1. Surgical placement.
The most critical phase. It is important to follow the post-operative instructions. It is completed with the removal of sutures after 7-10 days.
2. Osseointegration.
During this period, the bone growth takes place on the treated surface of the implant (osseointegration). The duration of this period depends primarily on the type of surface treatment of titanium, on the hardness of the bone of the jaw (the lower jaw is harder than the upper one) and on the degree of initial stability of the implants. The osseointegration takes 3 weeks to 4 months after the placement of the implant to be completed.
3. Implant loading.
At this stage, after the disclosure of the implant, an osseointegration test will be performed (with a special device) and the prosthetic restoration will be completed.
4. Preservation period.
Prerequisite to initiate therapy with dental implants is very good oral hygiene.
Therefore oral care is the most important factor that contributes to the long-term preservation of the implants. Parallel to this, regular visits to the clinic will prevent possible problems.
No, they perform flawlessly for a lifetime if the oral care and the prevention measures are strictly kept.
Of course the most important role in the long-term survival of implants is the lege artis initial placement by the surgeon (meeting all placement standards).
The placement is done under local anesthesia with or without pharmaceutical sedative treatment, so it is a painless process. It is typical of this operation that only 1-2 tablets of a simple painkiller on the same day, are needed to fully cover the postoperative pain.
This is not surprising due to the fact that the procedure is performed with extreme caution and care not to ‘wake up’ the bone of the jaw receiving the implants. Therefore the reaction is very limited.
Yes, it depends on the size of the operation and the temperament of the patient. But it is controlled by medicines and by using external cold patches.
Usually the maximum swelling occurs on the second-third postoperative day and needs another 2-3 days to disappear completely.
There are some clinical situations where the use of dental implants is not allowed:
- Neurological disorders
- Dependence on drugs and alcohol
- Severe cardiac disease (recent heart attack, cardiomyopathy, valve disease, etc.)
- Chronic use of immunosuppressive therapy
- Receiving intravenous bisphosphonates
- Radiation of jaws bones
- Active cancer treatment
- Pregnancy
After completion of the growth at the age of 17 to 18 years and without any age limit the placement of implants is possible.
Osteoporosis is not a contraindication, especially with the use of modern implants having an activated titanium surface.
Certainly. In the global market, there are several hundred of implant companies. Among then, the companies engaged in research and scientific documentation over time, are less than ten. The rest just copy the first, with all the consequencses thereafter.
Another important issue is the international presence of a firm and the availability of spare parts over time.
Definitely not. The failure rate of an implant in the first phase (placement), in the hands of an experienced surgeon using reliable material, is extremely small-less than 1%. Thus, in a case of failure, we are dealing with an unfortunate intervention or hardware error rather than an unsuitable organism.
The overall success rate in all phases of implant treatment is between 97-98%.
Most recognized and reputable companies give a 10 year warranty and some leading ones a lifetime warranty on the hardware. Certainly precondition for the guarantee is a meticulous dental hygiene and a regular -every six months- visit for control and prevention.
The minimum number of implants to receive a fixed prosthetic restoration is 5-6 in the maxilla and 4-6 in the mandible. On them we place bridges of 10 to 14 teeth per jaw with screws or adhesive.