To be clear: what nature has created, is not easy to replace. An implant - an artificial root - will therefore not be precisely equal to the root of your own tooth or molar, but will nevertheless come as close as possible to most of its characteristics.

If your set of false teeth is not firmly stuck on your jaw, you might consider the possibility of implants. Your dentures will be firm again. Missing teeth or molars can also be replaced by implants. In all these cases you will eat, talk and laugh just like before.

For all those who want to be treated with implants it is important to know that good mouth hygiene is a condition for longlasting success. It is also important to know that smoking can get in the way of a succesful treatment with implants.

THE PROBLEM

Loss of teeth and molars
You can loose teeth and molars by an accident, dental caries and/or inflammations of the gums and the surrounding strengthening tissue.

THE SOLUTION

What is an implant?
An implant is an artificial root, placed into the jaw bone. Implants are made of titanium and look like little 'screws'.

Among the so-called tissue-friendly materials, titanium is the most appropriate metal for the construction of implants. Therefore titanium is used very frequently in modern medicine. (for example for bone fracture plates, artificial joints and pacemakers). Titanium is completely accepted by the human body; in other words, the body does not reject the strange material.

Implantation in dentistry

Since time immemorial dentistry has always tried to replace lost teeth as naturally as possible.. The final result here had and has to be recovery of the appearance and the functions, like chewing, talking and laughing. Nature developed a perfect chewing system that can never be completely replaced by artificial means. An implant in the jaw as a pillar for tooth replacement is the closest one can get to a natural dental root. By now, placing implants has become a reliable treatment method and it normally leads to a predictable good final result.

What is the purpose of an implant?

An implant serves as a replacement of a real dental root and offers footing to:

1. A crown (replacement of one single tooth or molar)

If one tooth or molar is missing, for example by an accident, an implant can be placed in the created space. At a later stage a crown is installed onto this implant. This treatment has the major advantage that the adjoining teeth are left untouched and do not need to be ground for the placement of a bridge.

If a couple of teeth or molars are missing, a bridge or a partial prosthesis (frame or plate) can be made. For the installment of a bridge it is necessary to grind the teeth down. This is a pity of course, especially when it concerns healthy teeth and molars. Wearing a frame or plate is oftened considered to be a nuisance and moreover it places a load on the teeth and molars that are still present. Implants can be an attractive alternative. It is possible to make a bridge construction on the implants, just like with natural dental roots.

If all teeth and molars are missing and the existing dentures are not fixed tight enough on the jaw, then it is possible to click the false teeth onto implants. In addition, shrinkage of the jaw is slowed down significantly by the presence of implants.

If you have a good general health, if you keep your mouth nicely clean and if the jaw is suited for it, then implants can be used. Implants can be used by both young and older people. Your dentist/jaw surgeon will make a careful assessment and inform you on the possibilities.

In which cases is it not possible to use an implant?

Sometimes the jaw bone has shrunk to such a degree that it is too small and/or too low to place an implant. Examination of the jaw bone with a.o. x-ray pictures will decide this. In these cases additional techniques are needed to allow placing an implant.
For patients who use certain medication, or smoke a lot or are not able to keep their natural teeth in a good condition, implantation is not a good idea.

THE TREATMENT

The implantation procedure consists of 6 phases

The examination

The examination consists of a medical and a dental part. X-ray pictures can help in determining whether sufficient bone is present.

The application wih the insurance

The treatment should be applied for with the insurer first. Only after authorization by the health insurer and after you have signed the cost estimate and the treatment plan, will the treatment take place. The costs of the treatment are fully or partially compensated for, depending on your type of insurance.

In the case of dentures, those with a health insurance will only pay a limited contribution when a new set of false teeth needs to be placed on the implants. For those with private insurances, there are several compensation arrangements applying.

Implants for crowns or bridges are not covered by the basic insurance. The treatment is, depending on your policy conditions, partially compensated for by an additional dentist cost insurance.

The implantation

Placing an implant is a small surgical operation. This operation can usually take place with local anaesthetics. An opening in the gums is made; then a hole is drilled in the bone, fitting the implant perfectly. The operation takes, depending on the number of implants, usually around 30 to 90 minutes. In general the aftereffects like pain and swelling are not so bad. Swelling following the operation, can be limited by cooling the cheek.

The phase of growing in

It will take ± 6 weeks up to 3 months for the implants to grow into the jaw . The time span depends on a number of factors like bone quantity and quality. During the phase of growing in, the healing progress will be checked regularly. If desired, an emergency solution for esthetic reasons can be made.

Placement of the implant structure

After the period of growing in, the implant structure is placed. On this structure the teeth replacement (a prosthesis, bridge or crown) can be fitted.

Aftercare

A good mouth hygiene and regular check-ups (each 3 to 6 months) are essential for a long life span of the implants. Extensive studies and experiences have already shown that implants, if they are properly taken care of, will still function perfectly after decades.

Does an implant ever fail?

Yes, in about 1.5% (upper jaw) to 5% (lower jaw) of the cases, a failure does occur. The implant does not grow into the jaw or comes loose after some time. In these cases the implant can cause sensations of pain and it will have to be removed. The jaw bone and the gums will heal normally. After 3 to 6 months a new implant can be put in place.