Dental implants are materials that mimic the tooth root placed in the jawbone in areas of tooth loss. In today’s dentistry practices, implant-supported restorations are primarily used in the treatment of aesthetics, function and phonation lost by patients. After the teeth are extracted, the bone surrounding the tooth roots begins to melt over time, this is called resorption. As a result of bone resorption, the facial profile deteriorates, lip and cheek support disappears, wrinkles around the mouth increase and the tip of the nose and chin come closer together. In order to prevent bone resorption, implant placement should be considered to replace the roots of extracted teeth in appropriate cases. Fixed or removable prostheses used to replace missing teeth replace only the crown (the part of the teeth visible in the mouth) of the lost teeth. In addition to the crown, the purpose of placing the root in the mouth is to preserve the presence of bone. For this reason, implant-supported fixed prostheses are preferred over tooth-supported bridge prostheses or tissue-supported removable prostheses. The bone forms a tight bond with the implant surfaces and allows them to function like natural teeth. The biting and chewing functions provided by implant-supported fixed prostheses stimulate the bone and prevent bone resorption. In addition, with the use of dental implants, the teeth adjacent to the lost tooth do not need to be reduced and the health of natural teeth is preserved.
If you have missing teeth, you can find out if implant treatment is suitable for you by consulting your dentist.
BONE PRESERVATION AND AUGMENTATION (AUGMENTATION)
Due to persistent diseases, infection, trauma, etc., there is usually loss of bone and soft tissue around the teeth. This develops even faster in cases where the area is left empty following tooth extraction and no stimulation of the bone is created. This is especially common in the anterior region of the upper jaw and is noticeable in every smile.
The placement of implants prevents soft tissue and bone defects that can occur in the absence of teeth.
In areas where bone and gum are insufficient, various methods are applied to fill this deficiency. Depending on the size and location of the defect, this can be done before or during the implant placement session.
SINGLE TOOTH DEFICIENCY
Single tooth deficiencies can be treated with traditional bridges or implant-supported fixed prostheses. In the construction of a traditional bridge prosthesis, the teeth adjacent to the gap are reduced in size all around. Bridges can provide very good aesthetics and function for a while, but this type of prosthesis cannot protect the bone around the roots of the extracted teeth, and the bone begins to resorb over time. Implant-supported prosthesis application has many advantages in single tooth loss:
- Restores aesthetics, function and phonation similar to natural teeth.
- Protects the bone in the edentulous area.
- Eliminates the risk of secondary caries in the teeth adjacent to the edentulous cavity.
- No need to reduce the teeth adjacent to the edentulous space and preserves the health of the natural teeth.
- It is more hygienic and easier to clean than a bridge prosthesis.
MISSING MORE THAN ONE TOOTH
Multiple missing teeth can be treated with tooth-supported bridges, removable partial dentures or implant-supported fixed prostheses. In such a case, the superiority of implant-supported prostheses is even clearer. Removable prostheses accelerate bone resorption. Removable prosthetic elements (e.g. clasps) over natural teeth can cause stress on the supporting teeth and weaken them. Many patients who use removable dentures complain that their dentures are uncomfortable, constantly moving and that they cannot wear them regularly. The advantages of using implant-supported fixed prosthesis in these patients can be listed as follows:
- Appearance, function and feel are similar to those of natural teeth
- They are more stable and comfortable than removable prostheses.
- They can fulfill the natural biting and chewing function
- They prevent bone resorption.
- The integrity of facial structures is preserved.
- No damage is caused to neighboring natural teeth.
TOTAL TOOTH DEFICIENCY
Prostheses for patients who have lost all their teeth are called total dentures. These prostheses have some disadvantages:
- Often uncomfortable for the patient and difficult to use.
- Chewing efficiency is considerably lower than with natural teeth.
- As the bone resorbs over time, the stability of total dentures decreases.
- Patients without teeth and with resorbed jawbone look older.
- The use of total dentures makes patients feel insecure.
- Total denture patients have difficulty eating hard foods such as steak and apples.
Since the palate is closed in total dentures, patients often complain that they cannot taste the food they eat.With implant-supported fixed prostheses, all these problems can be solved. They are more stable and prevent changes in facial contours by preserving the remaining bone.The advantages of implant-supported fixed prostheses can be listed as follows;
- They are more stable and more comfortable than total prostheses.
- They prevent bone resorption.
- Facial contours are preserved.
- Patients who use fixed prostheses increase their self-confidence.
- Patients can taste better because the palate is open.
- Repair or replacement is much less frequent than total dentures.
- Biting and chewing functions are provided similar to natural teeth.