The conventional root canal implant
Implantology is a discipline of surgery ORAL
which consists of replacing lost tooth roots
by dental implantS
DENTAL IMPLANT IN titanium or zirconia
WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT?
Implantology is a discipline of dental surgery that consists of replacing a lost tooth root with a dental implant.
The dental implant (also called artificial root anchor) is an artificial root in the form of a screw. The dental implant is made of titanium or zirconia. It is inserted by screwing or impaction into the alveolar bone of the maxilla or mandible (upper and lower jaws).
The dentist can attach a dental prosthesis to this dental implant to replace teeth that are missing due to dental extractions or agenesis.
The artificial root formed by the dental implant serves as an anchor for the attachment to dental prostheses such as :
- a removable dental prosthesis (denture).
- cosmetic ceramic crowns,
- ceramic bridges
Crowns or bridges are cemented or screwed onto the implants
The bone heals around this titanium or zirconia dental implant within 3 months. This is called osseointegration of the dental implant.
After osseointegration, the dental implant is firmly attached to the bone.
The most innovative implantology techniques allow dental implants to be loaded immediately upon placement. This is known as immediate loading of the implants, which is abbreviated as MCI. These techniques are particularly used in complete oral rehabilitation. That is, the replacement of all the teeth.
What biomaterials are dental implants made of?
The two materials used are zirconia and titanium. Both are resistant and biocompatible, i.e. compatible with the living biological environment.
Titanium dental implants:
Implantologists use 99% medically pure titanium or an alloy for greater mechanical strength. Titanium is one of the most biocompatible metals along with gold and platinum. This means that body fluids have no effect on it and that titanium allergy is extremely rare.
It is extremely strong with a modulus of elasticity close to that of bone. This ideal elasticity without excessive deformation promotes bone remodeling by forcing the bone to work. This characteristic gives titanium its qualities as a biomaterial, acting to prevent stress shielding or peri-implant osteoporosis.
Zirconia implants:
Zirconia or zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) is a polycrystalline ceramic. In its Y-TZP (Yttria tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal) form it is a technical ceramic used in medicine and dentistry. It has the advantage of being aesthetic and highly biocompatible.
Indeed, after sintering treatment, its color is white, which makes it a metal of choice to avoid gray reflections after the installation of dental prosthesis. Its chemical, thermal and physical properties, in particular its modulus of elasticity similar to that of bone, are of great interest in dental implantology.
The choice of a zirconia implant over a titanium implant is the subject of much discussion in the profession.
In particular, the proponents of holistic medicine versus others who practice a less “global” traditional medicine.
One argument of the “holists” in favor of zirconia implants is that it is not a metal but a biomaterial. This would avoid the risk of intolerance.
Notwithstanding the fact that zirconia is a metal derivative, the discussion is not at this level.
It turns out that zirconia is more brittle than titanium. With the same volume, the latter is more resistant, which allows for thinner implants. The available bone volume is the determining parameter in implant placement. In particular the biological bone space. This is the residual bone around the implant that provides peripheral vascularization. The presence of the latter is preponderant in limiting bone resorption around the implant or peri-implantitis.
Zirconia implants with the same strength are larger than titanium implants. For this reason, the titanium implant is preferred to the zirconia implant. Because of their thinness, they allow for better bone tissue economy during insertion. The vascularization is less severed and the well-vascularized bone more stable over time.
YOU ARE UNIQUE!
CLINICAL CASES OF EDENTULOUS TEETH TREATMENT WITH DENTAL IMPLANTS
WHY CHOOSE A DENTAL IMPLANT?
As a result of periodontal disease or very destructive dental decay, a person may lose some or all of their teeth. The patient is said to be partially edentulous or fully edentulous.
If a tooth is missing
If a tooth is missing it makes chewing difficult. Teeth adjacent to the edentulous area tend to pour and antagonistic teeth tend to attack each other. Under these conditions, the risk of dental caries is increased and the natural interlocking of the teeth, called dental occlusion or bite, will become disorganized.
Of course, the aesthetics of the smile will also lose its harmony.
In these cases of edentulous teeth, implantology takes over by placing a titanium or zirconia screw in the jawbone. This screw will serve as an artificial root for the future ceramic prosthetic dental crown. The dental implant is inserted when a natural tooth root is missing. A prosthetic ceramic dental crown is then attached to this dental implant to replace the visible part of the tooth: the dental crown.
The dental implant replaces a missing tooth with a prosthetic dental crown. It has both a functional and aesthetic role.
IF SEVERAL TEETH ARE MISSING
If a patient requires multiple dental implants, a simulation of the surgical protocol can be considered.
This simulation is carried out using digital means that allow the treatment to be fully adapted to the patient’s needs.
In some cases, the jawbone may not be thick enough or high enough to accommodate an appropriately sized dental implant. The solution is to use a bone graft, a longitudinal expansion, or a sinus filling. This is what is generically called “pre-implant surgery” which is part of oral surgery.
HOW IS THE DENTAL IMPLANT INSERTED INTO THE BONE?
There are two main groups of dental implants: conventional root canal implants and zygomatic implants.
Conventional dental implants
For conventional dental implants, two types of insertion techniques are possible:
- Axial insertion implantology: The dental implants are inserted in their longitudinal axis after drilling a housing adapted in length and diameter. Dental implants are screwed or impacted into the jawbone;
- Lateral insertion implantology: This is characterized by basal implantology specific to maxillae with atrophy. The implant (called a Diskimplant) is T-shaped and is inserted laterally into the jawbone.
Lateral insertion implantology is controversial. It is now obsolete, because all the pre-implant bone grafting solutions exist to reconstruct the maxillary basal bone. However, it is still of interest in cases of severe jaw atrophy where bone grafts are not possible.
When the bone is resorbed: zygomatic implants
For zygomatic implants, the placement technique consists of inserting large dental implants laterally at the base of the upper jaw and at the foot of the malar bone that constitutes the cheekbone.
Zygomatic implants are placed in symmetrical pairs (between two and three pairs maximum). They allow to fit an implant-supported prosthesis to totally edentulous patients with a strong resorption of the bone bases of the upper jaw without bone grafts.
WE ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
ON Implantology
The dentist answers your most frequently asked questions. If your clinical case is not listed, please contact him for a consultation.
A dental implant is the most suitable option for replacing a tooth. Dental implantology is the most modern and advanced discipline for replacing missing teeth. The dental implant is functional as close as possible to the dental anatomy. It preserves the bone capital. It is done through a very secure protocol.
Once placed, dental implants naturally take the place of the old teeth, without any discomfort or unsightly problems.
The placement of dental implants solves the chewing problems encountered by patients who have lost one or more teeth.
Indeed, toothlessness makes digestion difficult by reducing the absorption of vitamins, minerals, fibers and proteins by the body, and by favoring the increase of bad cholesterol, the LDL.
The placement of one or more dental implants is completely painless. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia but also under intravenous dental sedation with an anesthesiologist assisting the implantologist dentist in the dental office.
Dental implant placement has a 95% success rate over a period of up to fifteen years. If the patient is faced with an implant failure, a new implant can be placed after only a few months, and with the same implant success rates.
If dental implants are placed, the function of this bone is restored. This helps maintain bone mass by stimulating the jawbone through pressure and the resumption of effective chewing. The dental implant takes over the role of the natural root.
