Procedure: To ensure the oral cavity is free from harmful bacteria, any existing periodontitis or caries must be treated beforehand. We can then assess the available bone volume. For this, either a conventional 2D or a 3D X-ray (digital volume tomography, DVT) can be used.
If the current bone supply is insufficient, a bone graft must be performed.
The implant is inserted into the bone. To do this, the gum tissue is opened and the well-tolerated titanium implant is placed in the bone. The gum tissue is then closed with a suture. Some time must now pass until the bone and implant have fused together. In the meantime, the gap can be closed with a temporary restoration.
Once the implant has healed, the oral mucosa is opened again and a gingiva former is inserted so that the gum tissue can form nicely around the implant, giving the subsequent crown a natural, tooth-like appearance.
Fitting the implant crown
The dental crown is firmly attached to the implant. The colour of the crown is matched to your natural teeth, giving it a natural appearance. The gap is permanently closed without the need to grind down adjacent teeth, for example to accommodate a bridge. The chewing pressure then ensures that the jawbone does not recede or shrink.
Gaps between teeth should always be filled with dental prostheses to prevent neighbouring teeth from tilting into the gap or growing into it. The bone beneath the gap can recede due to the lack of chewing pressure.
A dental implant is firmly anchored in the jawbone and therefore feels like a natural tooth; it must be cared for just as well as a natural tooth.
Thanks to the aesthetic design of the crown, implants are inconspicuous and offer a high level of comfort.
If several teeth need to be replaced, an implant-supported bridge can also be fitted. This allows the gap to be closed without the need for a removable denture.
Bone augmentation
A dental implant requires a stable and firm jawbone as a foundation, as this is the only way for the implant to integrate firmly into the jawbone and last for a long time. Following tooth loss, the jawbone beneath the gap gradually deteriorates because it is no longer subjected to stress. The longer it takes to fill the resulting gap with an implant, the greater this deterioration becomes. Often, there is then insufficient bone available to insert an implant securely and firmly. In this case, we must perform a bone augmentation.
Bone augmentation with bone substitute material
In cases of minor bone loss, bone substitute material of natural or synthetic origin can be used. In the area of the bone defect, the oral mucosa is lifted, the bone substitute material is inserted and covered with a membrane. The inserted ‘artificial bone’ is gradually replaced by the patient’s own bone over a period of six to 12 months.
Bone augmentation in the lower jaw using autogenous bone
In cases of bone defects in the lower jaw, it is possible to harvest the patient’s own bone from the chin or mandibular angle and transplant it to these sites. The harvested bone is fixed in place with small titanium screws; after 4–6 months, the graft has healed and the implants can be placed.
Sinus lift: Bone augmentation in the upper jaw
If there is insufficient bone volume in the upper jaw to accommodate an implant, a sinus lift is required. This involves bone augmentation in the maxillary sinus. If gaps remain in the posterior region of the upper jaw for a prolonged period, the maxillary sinus expands further and the height of the jawbone is reduced. A sinus lift restores the bone height.
Computer-guided implantation
In some cases, computer-guided implantation is advisable. With the aid of digital volume tomography (DVT), the dentition can be visualised in three dimensions. This allows the available bone supply to be examined in detail. Based on this data set, it can be precisely determined which implant system, with what diameter, what length and in what position, is most suitable for the implant restoration.
Once these parameters have been determined, a drilling template is created which is inserted into the patient’s mouth during the implant procedure to ensure the implant is positioned perfectly.
Precise preparation for dental implant treatment
The digital three-dimensional data that we can obtain in our dental practice using CBCT is used to examine the existing bone supply precisely in terms of both quality and quantity. In the next step of the dental implant treatment, a 3D template made of plastic or titanium is produced. This drilling template is inserted into the patient’s mouth during 3D implantation and ensures the ideal positioning of the implant.
