Dental implants

Dental implant placement is the most advanced, reliable and durable tooth restoration method nowadays. If implants and crowns are properly looked after, they will last for a lifetime. Besides, it is a long-term investment into your perfect smile and a way to get back your ability to chew food as with your own natural teeth.

Dental implantation is the only way to restore the whole tooth from root to crown.  As regards any other method (for example, dental crowns), they may help to restore only the visible part of the tooth. Moreover, teeth replacement using dental implants is possible no matter how many teeth are missing: one, a few in a row or even all. Around 97- 98 % of implantation procedures are successful*.

*The implants placed in healed and postextractive sites, respectively, achieved a 98,05% and a 96,52% cumulative survival rate. (Degidi M, Nardi D, Piattelli A. 10-year follow-up of immediately loaded implants with TiUnite porous anodized surface. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2012 Dec; 14(6):828-38.

The structure of dental implants

An implant is a small metal post which is placed into the jawbone. It replaces the natural tooth root.

Dental implants are made of titanium, which is extremely compatible with the human body: it integrates with the jawbone perfectly, it does not cause allergies and it is not rejected by the immune system.

Following the minimally invasive surgery an artificial crown is fixed on the implant, whose neither appearance nor functionality differ from the natural tooth.

The structure of a dental implant in comparison with a natural tooth

In 1965 Per-Ingvar Branemark, the father of modern dental implants, inserted the first implant to a Swede called Gösta Larsson, who lived with the implant more than forty years, i.e. for the rest of his life. The biggest breakthrough of the time was achieved when it was noticed that titanium fuses with bone tissue. The process is called osseointegration. Nowadays implants are, of course, far more superior to the ones planted half a century ago and ideally replace missing teeth.

The dental placement procedure

The dental implantation procedure is usually divided into 2 stages:

• The first one. The surgery stage. Following diagnostics, when the bone anatomy and its density are assessed, an implant is inserted.  During the same visit before the implantation procedure, if needed, the natural damaged tooth is removed. The method during which the root of a severely damaged tooth is removed and an implant is immediately loaded with a temporary crown attached to it is called immediate loading (immediate implant placement).

“I’ve been practising immediate loading for more than 10 years. My experience shows that it’s a reliable way to restore teeth. The patient doesn’t have to live a day without teeth”.

• The second one. The second stage may start in 2 – 3 months, after the healing has finished. During this phase an impression is taken, a permanent crown is manufactured and fixed on the implant. During the healing period, temporary crowns, also called temporary teeth, are usually placed. Therefore, you will be able to enjoy a beautiful smile immediately after the first visit.

Where does it start from? First of all, a patient comes for a consultation, comprehensive diagnostics is performed (an X-ray and /or a CBCT is done) to determine the anatomy and density of the patient’s jawbone and assess the overall oral and dental health. Afterwards a customised treatment plan is developed and discussed with the patient. The doctor can suggest a few dental implant treatment options. For example, if needed, a sinus lift may be recommended.

For patients with edentulous arches, instead of having all the missing teeth replaced with separate implants, we suggest the All-on-4® treatment concept, where a dental bridge with all teeth of one dental arch is fixed on 4 implants. Learn more about All-on-4®.

We also invite you to read FAQs, which you will find at the bottom of this page.

BEFORE implantation and AFTER implantation

Some implantation work performed by Senior Dental Implantologist Marius Bučinskas

Benefits of dental implants

Teeth replacement using dental implants are far superior to dental bridges or removable dentures in many ways.

Teeth for life

• With proper care, teeth restored with dental implants will usually serve for a lifetime.

Health benefits

• Dental implants allow to restore the whole tooth from root to crown, so dental implants can reduce bone loss.
• Dental implants leave the surrounding teeth intact, since they do not rely on neighboring teeth for support. In case of a dental bridge, adjacent teeth around the lost tooth or teeth have to be shaved down and prepared. Besides, additional strain is given to the prepared teeth as they provide support for the bridge.
• Implants are made of titanium, which is extremely compatible with the human body: it integrates with the jawbone perfectly, it neither cause allergies nor is rejected by the immune system. Later a crown is attached to the implant (a titanium post) and this way a replacement for a tooth is created, which recreates the chewing function and helps to maintain the healthy oral cavity.

Stable and comfortable teeth

• The chewing ability reaches 100% in case of dental implants, whereas with removable dentures only to 30-40% of the chewing functionality is recreated.
• Teeth restored with implants are not removable – they are fixed appliances.
• The All-on-4® treatment concept, where only four implants are used to have all the missing teeth restored of an edentulous arch, minimizes discomfort caused by wearing removable dentures.  Teeth restored on implants enable you to eat, talk and smile as if you had your own natural teeth.

Aesthetics

• Usually only professionals can tell the whether your teeth are natural or restored using dental implant treatment.
• At “Dantų harmonija – Dental Harmony” permanent dental crowns are manufactured from zirconium. This material in modern dentistry is valued for being extremely hard and for its aesthetic properties. Zirconium is as translucent as a real tooth. Even in neon lighting your teeth will look all natural.

Psychological benefits

• Usually new teeth on implants not only restore the overall oral health, but the youthful appearance is regained along with self-confidence and the ability to live life to the fullest.

Sedation. Comfort at the dentist’s office

For patients who are scared of the dentist’s chair, at “Dantų harmonija – Dental Harmony” sedation may be suggested as a solution, which is the use of medication. The patient sleeps throughout the entire procedure and wakes up only when everything is over. The whole process is monitored by a professional dentist anaesthesiologist.

Dentistry sedation is mostly used when:

• the patient’s fear is too big to handle;
• long and complex treatment procedures are needed;
• the patient cannot sit still in the dentist’s chair and keeps fidgeting;
• during the treatment the patient feels sick;
• at the request of the patient for his or her dental treatment.

Sedation

If the patient is not sure about his or her reaction and behaviour during the treatment procedure or the degree of his or her negative sensations, it is advisable to consult your dentist and discuss sedation as an option. The dentist will take into consideration the patient’s condition, his or her concerns and expectations and then will decide whether sedation would be appropriate.

Prices of dental implants

Although dental implantation is more expensive than removable dentures or dental bridges, it is a long-term investment.  Dental implants used at “Dantų harmonija – Dental Harmony” are given a lifetime warranty, which is provided by the manufacturers.

What is the All-on-4® treatment concept?

The All-on-4^® treatment concept is a treatment method developed by the Swedish company Nobel Biocare that provides patients with fixed full-arch prostheses on just four implants.

The benefits of the All-on-4® treatment concept:

• It is cheaper as only 4 implants are used for a full-arch rehabilitation.

• It is faster as the teeth are restored in one day.

• It is more convenient as this is a non-removable appliance.

What is Nobel Biocare®?

Nobel Biocare Holding AG is the pioneer and leader in the field of innovative implant-based dental restorations and cosmetic dentistry. More than a million people worldwide are enjoying implants manufactured by them. The headquarters of the company are located in Zurich, Switzerland. Its share of the global dental implant market makes up 35 percent. The company has over 2 500 employees worldwide. The company has its main production facilities in Sweden, Japan, Canada, Israel and the USE along with 35 sales offices around the world (the source: www.nobelsypsena.lt)