Stomatološka ordinacija dr. Željka Stolar

IMPLANTOLOGY

IMPLANTS are fixtures of titanium which replace a missing tooth root in the jawbone. They can replace one or more missing teeth.

WHY CHOOSE NOBEL BIOCARE IMPLANTS?

Nobel Biocare has been the leading dental implant company for the past 50 years. Implants and prosthetic components are the result of a first-rate technology and they cover all prosthetic situations.

DENTAL IMPLANT PROCEDURE

The procedure is generally performed in two steps.

•	During the first visit to a dentist, an implant is placed under local anesthesia. It is then protected with a protective cap over which the gingiva is repositioned and sutured.
•	After the process of the osseointegration (bonding to the bone), which lasts between 3 and 6 months, the gum is opened and the elements are placed on the implant to make an impression. By doing so, the implant position in the mouth is transferred into the plaster model made for the technician. The final prosthetic replacement is then made in the dental laboratory.

ADVANTAGES OF IMPLANTS OVER BRIDGES AND DENTURES:

•	Preservation of healthy teeth - With traditional treatments, neighboring teeth need to be cut down so that they can have the function of a bridge support (abutments).
•	Sometimes the only solution - In case you do not have final teeth to act as abutments, the implants are the only solution if you want to avoid having a partial denture.
•	Feeling of comfort - In case you already have a complete denture which is unstable and makes chewing difficult, with placing implants it is possible to retain the denture on the implants which will make the denture more stabile. A denture stabilized in this way largely increases the feeling of self-confidence when eating, speaking or during social contacts.
•	Better facial appearance - When a tooth is lost, the jawbone gradually resorbs which will make your face look older than it really is. The implants can stop this process, while traditional denture and bridge can not.
•	Permanent solution - An implant is durable, stabile and comfortable for the patient. After the implant placement there are no additional treatments. In normal circumstances, it is a life-time solution.
•	New life quality - Your new implant-supported teeth act like your natural teeth because they are anchored to the jawbone with implants. This enables you to eat your favorite food comfortably and with self-esteem.

INDICATIONS FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS:

one tooth missing
several teeth missing
toothless jaw

1. IMPLANT REPLACING ONE TOOTH

When a tooth is pulled out, the best permanent solution is an implant with a completely ceramic crown. This solution has the appearance and functions of a natural tooth.

Possible alternatives for one tooth missing

• Tooth replacement with a bridge

DISADVANTAGES:
•   Healthy teeth need to be sacrified
     to serve as bridge abutments
•   There is a continuous resorption
     of the bone in the place of
     a missing tooth
•   It is necessary to cut
     two neighboring teeth
•   It is not a permanent solution
ADVANTAGES:
•   Stabile solution
•   Good esthetics and function

• Tooth replacement with a removable
partial denture

DISADVANTAGES:
•   A denture is generally unstable
•   It is uncomfortable and
    complicated to wear
•   There is a continuous resorption
     of the bone in the place of
     a missing tooth
•   It is made of plastic and metal
     so the esthetic result is not the
     same as with ceramic crowns
•   It is not a permanent solution
ADVANTAGES:
•   Neighboring teeth do not
     have to be cut
•   It is relatively more affordable

2. IMPLANTS REPLACING SEVERAL TEETH

In case of teeth missing in the back part of the oral cavity, this is the only adequate fixed replacement for your teeth. A bridge contains all teeth in one piece, which are then anchored to implants. Implants also preserve the jawbone and the appearance of your face.

Possible alternatives for several teeth missing

• Tooth replacement with a removable
partial denture

DISADVANTAGES:
•   A denture is generally unstable
•   It is uncomfortable and
     complicated to wear
•   There is a continuous resorption
     of the bone in the place of
     a missing tooth
•   It is made of plastic and metal
     se ne može postići estetski
     so the esthetic result is not the
     same as with ceramic crowns
•   Its function is far worse
     that the one of a bridge
ADVANTAGES:
•  Neighboring teeth do not
     have to be cut
•  It is relatively more affordable

3. IMPLANTS IN A TOOTHLESS JAW

First, titanium implants are inserted. This operation is done under a local anesthesia. Implants are then protected with a protective cover screw and sutured with gingiva. The duration of dental implant roots bonding to the bone is individual. After the osseointegration (a period of bonding to the bone), cover screws are removed from the implants. Temporary restorations are then placed on the top of the implants, around which the gum grows. This phase lasts one to two weeks. After that, final restorations are placed which will form the base for crowns. In the final phase of the treatment, a dentist fixates the bridge with screws or he or she cements crowns on the restorations. To make new crowns, a special technique is used which ensures dimension, shape and color of your natural teeth.

Possible alternatives for a toothless jaw

• Removable denture fixed on the implants

• A removable complete denture which
   is fixed to implants with balls or bars
   in the first part of the jaw is a much
   safer alternative than an ordinary
   removable denture which does
   not have such retention.
• Implants hold the denture function
   in place and they ensure better
   and more comfortable use.
• Price is the most common
   reason why patients choose
   this kind of denture instead of
   a fixed bridge on implants.

• Removable complete denture

DISADVANTAGES:
• A denture is loose on the
   resorbed ridge and the gum of the
   oral cavity
• It is uncomfortable and
   complicated to wear
• There is a continuous resorption
   of the bone in the place of
   a missing tooth
• Poor esthetics
• Bad function
• Speech difficulties
• Often painful gum because
   the denture is not fixed
• A complete denture reduces the
   sense of taste in the upper jaw
ADVANTAGES:
• There are no advantages except
   low price

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

•	Who is a candidate for dental implants?
	Anyone missing one or more teeth can be a candidate for dental implants. The only obstacle can be a bone quantity, i.e. the height of the bone ridge or a poor bone structure. In such case it is necessary to perform an additional intervention of bone restoration using different techniques. Also, your dentist in collaboration with a specialist surgeon is the only one who can assess if you are a suitable candidate for dental implants.
•	Is old age a risk factor for dental implants?
	Absolutely not! The only thing that is important is that you are in good general health. If you can have a tooth pulled out, the placement of implants is not a problem. Implants are contraindication in case of some chronic diseases. Your dentist in collaboration with your G.P. will surely help with the decision.
•	How long do dental implants last?
	Dental implants act very similarly to your natural teeth. With proper load, good hygiene and keeping of oral as well as general health at their prime, more than 95% of implants last more than ten years, and very often even longer.
•	What is the success rate of dental implants?
	More than three decades of clinical experience and more than a million of recorded patients prove that Nobel Biocare dental implants have a high success rate – around 95% in individual implants and even more in bridges anchored with implants. The design and superficial structure of dental implants have been changed and largely improved in past years.
•	If I have implants, can I chew normally and with the same strength as with my natural teeth?
	Yes. After a short period of adaptation, the feeling is the same as with your own teeth.
•	Does it hurt to have dental implants placed?
	As with any operation, there is a slight feeling of discomfort. A specialist surgeon will remove pain with local anesthesia so you will not feel anything in the area of operation for about 2 hours. It is normal that the gum is slightly swollen after the operation. Your dentist will give you instructions on how to clean the oral cavity and he or she will prescribe you some pain killer. A day after the operation you can freely go to work.
•	How will dental implants affect the quality of your life?
	A tooth anchored with an implant looks and functions like a natural tooth. That means that you can eat or drink anything you want. It is often the case that the patients who felt discomfort or worried about their teeth problems before having implants, regain their self-confidence and have better life quality after the surgery.
•	What kind of maintenance do dental implants require?
	It is very important to say that with implants, as well as with natural teeth, a regular check-up every six months and an adequate oral hygiene are essential.
•	Will my new teeth look naturally?
	When implants are used in combination with modern restorative work, their appearance, comfort and function will probably exceed your expectations.