Implant Therapy – How to Maintain Dental Implants

Implant therapy is a highly successful replacement treatment for teeth that have been lost or cannot be repaired due to periodontal disease. However, like natural teeth, dental implants may require periodic maintenance to ensure optimal function and aesthetics. While a number of therapies exist to maintain and treat diseased teeth, few have been developed specifically for the maintenance and management of dental implants. Because of the distinct anatomical differences between teeth and implants, therapies that are effective in treating teeth may not have the same effect on dental implants.응암동치과추천

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that provide support for a dental prosthetic. They can replace single missing teeth or a complete set of missing teeth. Over time, they also help prevent jaw bone loss that results in a “sunken face” appearance and can improve a person’s ability to chew and speak.

The primary goal of any dental implant treatment plan is to restore the patient’s function and esthetics. However, implant failure can result in a variety of complications, including discomfort, mastication difficulties, and poor aesthetics. Often, these complications are related to poor implant placement and a lack of proper care by the patient. These problems can be prevented with proper planning, diagnosis, and care of the implant site.

In a study of implant survival, researchers found that peri-implant mucositis, an inflammation affecting the tissue surrounding the implant, was associated with lower implant success rates.1 Although a common and highly treatable condition, the inflammatory response to the presence of bacteria on the surface of an implant can lead to bone loss around the implant and, ultimately, compromise its long-term survival.

The most important factor in the successful placement of an implant is a sufficient amount of bone tissue. If bone is insufficient, it will need to be grafted before the implant can be placed. This is a costly procedure that adds to the overall cost of the treatment. The type of grafting required will also influence the overall treatment time and costs.

Another significant factor in the success of an implant is the type of socket into which it is placed. During the initial healing period after tooth extraction, the socket is classified according to its ability to support an implant (Class I – very loose socket; Class II – tighter socket; and Class III – very dense socket). Implants placed in Class III sockets require significantly longer treatment times than those in Classes I or II.이일우치과

A dental implant can either be fixed, meaning a crown or bridge is attached, or removable, which allows the patient to remove the denture. In both cases, an abutment is placed on the implant and then either a fixed or removable dental prosthetic/crown is connected to the abutment using lag screws or dental cement.