Why do you have to remove the implant?
The main reasons are peri-implantitis, that is, inflammation of the bone around the implant due to plaque, and lack of osseointegration, when the bone has not fused with the titanium surface. Less commonly, overload or incorrect position interfering with prosthetics. The modern technique involves unscrewing the implant counterclockwise with a special key: this way, it is possible to preserve the surrounding bone and install a new implant after a few months.
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.