A dental implant is a medical device that is inserted into the jawbone to replace the root of a lost tooth. Essentially, it is a screw placed in the location of the tooth root, which will later support the dental crown, or the visible tooth in the oral cavity.

The average life of a prosthetic restoration supported by dental implants is around 10 years, according to most specialized studies. These studies reference both the dental implant component, which is the screw inserted into the bone, and the dental crown component, which is the visible tooth in the mouth.

Several factors influence the longevity of a dental implant restoration, starting with the number of implants supporting the prosthetic work (ideally, one tooth and one implant). Local conditions and the patient’s habits also play a significant role. For example, if there is no fixed gum tissue around a dental implant, its prognosis is more limited. Additionally, it’s important to remember that a dental implant is used by the patient 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and how it is utilized is crucial. One of the most significant factors that can compromise an implant-supported rehabilitation is the overuse of the implant.

Restorations on dental implants have the advantage of absorbing some of the chewing forces that would otherwise be transmitted only to natural teeth. Additionally, they stimulate the alveolar bone, preventing resorption that occurs when teeth are absent. In conclusion, it is more biologically favorable to have a restoration on implants, especially when the remaining teeth surrounding the space where teeth were extracted are healthy and vital (meaning the nerves have not been removed).

Typically, the procedure for inserting dental implants and the recovery after the procedure should not be painful. At most, there may be some discomfort that responds well to standard anti-inflammatory medication, and mild swelling may peak around two days after the implant insertion. Essentially, a patient may experience sensations similar to those felt during a dental filling with local anesthesia, with the anesthesia being the only somewhat uncomfortable part of the process.

Dental implants are placed by specialists in oral and maxillofacial surgery or dentoalveolar surgery. In simple cases, a general dentist may also do dental implants, but their competence is limited to situations where bone grafting or other complex procedures are not required.

At MaxiloMED Clinic, the decision is made collaboratively between the prosthodontist and the surgeon. It is important to remember that the patient seeks to have functional teeth, and their positioning depends on where the dental implant is placed. In other words, the implant’s position should ideally be where the tooth needs to be in the mouth, not just where the bone is available. From this perspective, the prosthodontist is best positioned to determine where an implant is needed.