When is bone grafting needed?
After tooth extraction, the bone decreases especially quickly in the first year - up to a third of its volume in width. If the ridge becomes too narrow or low, the implant simply will not hold. Bone material is placed into the defect and fixed, if necessary covered with a barrier membrane. It takes 4–6 months for the bone to rebuild and mature, after which the implant is installed. Sometimes plastic surgery is performed simultaneously with implantation.
How does implantation work?
A dental implant is a titanium screw that is implanted into the jawbone and takes on the role of a tooth root. Titanium has the property of osseointegration: bone tissue grows into the microrelief of its surface and firmly fixes the implant.
The main advantage over a bridge is that the adjacent teeth are not ground down, and the bone under the implant receives load and does not atrophy.
Implantation stages
- diagnostics and planning using computed tomography
- if necessary, bone grafting or sinus lift
- installation of an implant with a cover screw
- healing: 3–4 months on the lower jaw, 4–6 on the upper jaw
- installation of a healing abutment
- abutment and permanent crown
When is bone grafting needed?
After tooth extraction, the bone gradually decreases in both height and width. If the volume is not enough, the implant will not receive reliable primary fixation. In such cases, the bone is built up: bone material is planted, covered with a barrier membrane, and a sinus lift is performed on the upper jaw in the area of the chewing teeth - raising the bottom of the maxillary sinus.
Contraindications
Implantation is not performed in cases of decompensated diabetes mellitus, severe blood and heart diseases, active cancer, or during pregnancy. Smoking and poor hygiene do not prohibit implantation, but they significantly increase the risk of inflammation around the implant.