Information about the treatment process, risks and complications

The goal of implant treatment

The loss of a tooth (tooth and/or molar) in the aesthetic area of the teeth is an emotional problem for almost everyone. Replacing a tooth or molar with an implant-supported construction, crown, bridge or dentures, is a treatment alternative that can provide a solution. The aim of the implant treatment is therefore to provide you with a replacement element (tooth or molar) if you are missing it. There are different types of implant treatments. This also depends on how many teeth and/or molars you are missing. Dental implants therefore serve to replace one or more teeth and/or molars, and keep a crown, bridge or click denture in place. Implants are made of a body-friendly material, usually titanium, which is sometimes provided with a ceramic coating. As a result, an implant is very strong, durable and true-to-life, so that it usually lasts a lifetime. One dental implant can best be compared to an artificial tooth root, which replaces an absent root and usually as a screw is fixed in the jaw. However, the implant treatment remains a choice that you make yourself. There are other possible treatment alternatives as well. Your practitioner will discuss all alternatives with you during the implant consultation.

 

The treatment process, first consultation and preliminary examination

The implant treatments are usually performed by our team within the Implantology and denture department.

Our dentist-implantologist, is the main practitioner and also director of the treatment process.

 

Diagnosis and drawing up a treatment plan

The first step is that a consultation with the dental implantologist will take place. During the consultation there will also be a general examination the location of your care demand, complaints, wishes/expectations and your history. If your oral hygiene is not suitable for an implant, that must first be in order. Your practitioner will also discuss your medical history/questionnaire with you. It is important that we are informed about your general health data such as: medication use, complications with previous dental treatments and known allergies. Based on the completed anamnesis, it is investigated whether there are limiting factors that influence may be for implant treatment. After this, a jaw overview x-ray will be taken. After your practitioner has evaluated your jaw digitally, he/she will discuss the treatment options with you and set up a preliminary treatment plan in consultation with you. Your therapist will then conduct additional research (specific research phase) based on the preliminary treatment plan to explore the possibilities of implant-supported prosthetic constructions. Depending on the diagnosis, your practitioner will investigate the following aspects in more detail:

Additional medical examination

Additional periodontal examination of the remaining teeth

Additional X-ray examination with regard to bone quality and quantity of the area to be implanted Investigating whether a local bone augmentation using intraoral bone is required

Study models in an articulator and a prosthetic test set-up

Determination of the number of implants and their positions and axis directions

Your practitioner will provide you with the corresponding and specific information regarding, among other things, cost estimates, risks and aftercare agreements and a definitive treatment plan for you. When you agree with the proposed treatment plan, an agreement is reached with you and the application procedure with your insurer will be started.

 

Treatment options

During your first consultation, your practitioner has informed you about various treatment options that meet your needs and expectations:

A denture on implants: An attachment system under a denture will ensure that the denture will be properly secured. This allows you to eat and speak better. Also, less food ends up under denture.

In case of loss of one or more teeth: By placing a crown or bridge on an implant, an attempt will be made to restore the functionality of your teeth as naturally as possible. In such a case, your own teeth do not need to be sharpened become. Another advantage is that a partial removable

is prevented from being placed. This last one is less comfortable and could damage other teeth.

 

Alternative treatments

In addition to the treatment options mentioned above, you can also opt for alternative treatment options, namely:

Conventional denture: This type of denture is made in case all the teeth of your upper and lower jaws have been/are removed. This denture is therefore intended to replace the missing teeth.

Partial dentures: are made when you have still some healthy teeth. The dentures are anchored as a removable provision along your existing teeth. (more Information about the dentures can be found on our website www.dentalzorg.com or in the document informed consent for the denture).

Conventional bridge: When you lose a tooth (tooth or molar), you can also choose to have crowns and bridges placed. The bridge is usually made of a metal or ceramic substructure over the thooth.

Crown: A crown could be placed on a tooth or molar, provided the root tooth is healthy. For this, the tooth is cut down.

The number of implants and the implant treatment

The number of implants to be placed depends on the definitive diagnosis. If you need a lower jaw denture, usually the placement of two implants are enough. With a prosthesis upper jaw usually 6 implants are used placed. If you need bridge(s), the number of implants depends on a number of factors, namely: the length of the bridge, the quality of your jawbone and the length of the implants. Usually, bridges do not require an implant for every tooth.

1. Placement of implants

Placing implants is a fairly simple process and at the same time a surgical procedure that involves you both before and after the treatment medications (such as antibiotics, pain relievers, and mouthwash). Placement of the implant is done of course under a local anesthetic. After the anesthetic has taken effect, a small incision is made in the gums and the gums are gently pushed aside. If you use anticoagulants, you must stop using the anticoagulants in good time in consultation with your therapist blood thinners. The treatment usually takes place in one or two phases. That depends on which technique/construction at your situation fits. With one-phase placement, the implants are immediately visible in your mouth. In case you need two-stage treatment, the implants are initially placed under your gums. In the second phase, a minor surgery is performed on you to transit through your gums. Once the implant is in place, it is closed with a temporary healing cap. It is important that you do not perform any strenuous activities such as sports, heavy lifting, etc. for the first 2-3 days and you must take good care of your oral hygiene. At the end of the implant treatment, the wound is sutured. The sutures dissolve within approximately 2 weeks or be removed.

2. Healing period after implant placement (healing period)

After placement of the implant, a rest period (also called healing period) follows. This period is primarily intended to let the wound heal and the implant to grow well in your jawbone. How long the rest period lasts depends on a number of factors such as the position where the implant is placed (upper or lower jaw), the type of implant used and your recovery capacity. If the implant is placed in the upper jaw, it is usually 4 to 6 months before the next part (the crowns or dentures) of the treatment. In the lower jaw this period is shorter, usually 2 months.

3. Making your new teeth (crown, bridge or temporary dentures)

After the healing period, you will return to your practitioner to make a crown, bridge or dentures. Your therapist makes the necessary impression by an impression pen. The impression is sent to our laboratory for the manufacture of your new teeth and/or molars. The production of your new teeth, such as a crown, bridge or dentures, takes place in a phase that consists of a number of steps is built. The type of provision, i.e. crown or bridge or prosthesis, determines the number of steps. Take into account 2-5 time to return to your practitioner. Your practitioner will discuss this with you.

4. Placing your permanent crown, bridge or temporary dentures

After the implants have properly grown into your jawbone, your new crown, bridge or temporary denture can be placed. The crown is screwed onto the implant. In the case of bridge or dentures, these are also attached to the implant.

5. Aftercare and the importance of good oral hygiene

Insufficient maintenance and/or poor oral hygiene can lead to inflammation, causing the implants to be lost prematurely can go. Smoking, alcohol consumption and stress also have a very negative influence on the success of the implant treatment. Paste and tartar on the implants, crown, bridge and dentures can also cause inflammation, which can lead to loss of bone and thus loss of the implant itself. It is therefore very important that the implants are properly treated kept clean to be sustainable. The state of your oral hygiene should be checked regularly and, if necessary, be adjusted. Your practitioner will refer you to the dental hygienist or prevention assistant who will inform you about a good cleaning your implants and the rest of your teeth. Regular (semi-annual) checks of the implants are therefore essential greatest importance. During these checkups, X-rays will be taken to assess the level of bone near the implants.

 

Duration of treatment

The duration and outcome of the treatment depend on a number of factors. First of all, the growth and development of the implants in your jawbone, your healing phase, your adaptability, your cooperation and your perseverance of great influence. In addition, the duration differs per jaw. In the case of a lower jaw, the treatment can take a total of about 3 months. In the upper jaw, the treatment takes about 8 months in most cases. The duration of the treatment also depends on the position of your jawbone. Sometimes, for example, a pre-treatment must take place to first correct the position of your jaw bone by: bone building. The recovery capacity of your jawbone and the prosthetic provision you receive are also determining factors.

 

Failure to comply with (follow-up) agreements

Fulfilling the agreements with your practitioner is one of the essential conditions to be able to achieve the intended treatment results achieve. The costs that your practitioner incurs in connection with the reserved time for your consultations will also be charged to you passed on.

 

Intermediate discontinuation or termination of treatment

The unfinished discontinuation or termination of the implant treatment can have negative consequences for your teeth. Furthermore, there is a chance that complications can arise with your teeth. You are therefore responsible for the consequences that may occur as a result of discontinuation of treatment.

 

What setbacks or complications can occur?

As with any medical treatment/surgery, it is also possible with implant treatment that complications can occur. Chance of success of an implant treatment is scientifically very high. Make a good inquiry in advance and your cooperation the risk of complications or failure is minimal. It is rare that an implant does not grow and must be removed.

The most common complications can include:

Failure of the implant to grow into the jawbone: reimbursed when you are completely toothless. However, the costs will then be settled with your statutory (mandatory) deductible. If you do not If you are completely toothless, implants will not be reimbursed or will only be partially reimbursed from your additional dental insurance. The prices and the reimbursements for an implant under supplementary insurance also differ per health insurer. In addition, the total costs of implant treatment also depend on the type of implant-supported device, crown, bridge or (click) denture and of course the material and technique costs.

 

Warranty terms and conditions

For all implants placed by or within DentalZorg, subject to the conditions below, a guarantee of 5 years in accordance with the following guarantee overview.

 

Warranty overview

If there is treatment under warranty within one year after placement, then the (re)treatment will be 100%, provided that within Dentalzorgi, performed free of charge. As the warranty overview shows, the warranty percentage is reduced by 20% annually.

To be eligible for this warranty, the following conditions must be met:

You are so healthy that there is no risk of implantation

If medication is used, this medication may not pose a risk of implantation

Changes in your health and/or use of medication (medication) must be communicated to your practitioner at the next appointment

You do not smoke

If you grind your teeth (bruxism) or clamp your jaws (parafunctions) and you do not have or use a grinding plate (bite plate)

If there is a disturbed occlusion (contact between teeth and molars of the lower and upper jaw is disturbed)

If you use medication in the form of: Bisphosphates (for example in the case of malignancies or osteoporosis), antimethabolisms (such as in rheumatoid arthritis), coumarin derivatives (strong blood thinners), corticosteroids or other medication that (may) interfere with a successful surgical procedure.

Heart valve disease

Recent myocardial infarction Severe heart failure

If you smoke

Practicing a risky sport without dental protection