Common people usually know about the procedure of teeth implantation. But not all of them are aware of the fact that both latest and obsolete technologies are provided at this market. The Chief Physician of the “StomArtStudio Leonardo” clinic, a famous orthopedist and dentist Leonid Vasilyev will tell us what implant placement methods exist, what method is the most effective, and how much time this procedure takes.

Let us talk about implantation methods: what ways of procedure performing are available nowadays?
There are several methods of teeth implant placement. The most common one is a two-stage or classical procedure. Besides, one-stage and immediate procedures are more commonly used now. Another effective way of smile restoration becomes popular: this is special pattern implantation.

Describe a two-stage (classical) procedure, please.
First, we insert an implant into a hollow prepared before, then we close the material with gum tissue. The next step is suturing. After that you just have to wait till it takes. Implant integration may last for approximately several months: two-three months for a mandible and till five months for a maxilla. The next stage is making a circumferential incision of a small diameter where an abutment or a gum former is placed. In some time the basis is loaded with a temporary crown depending on the individual case. This orthopedic construction must be placed in such a way that it would not take excessive load while chewing. In several weeks the specialists make casts which help making a permanent crown. It is not really recommended to place a crown right after the surgery.

The reason is its pressure on the implant and the risk of implant failure therefore. The method of classical implantation is used for smokers, patients who do not care about oral health, since bacteria cannot get into the closed hollow. Thus, the risk of implant failure will be decreased to minimum. A two-stage method is the most popular for the process of restoration of traumatically extracted or missing teeth when there is nor enough bone tissue at the place of implant integration. This is a widespread problem, that s why bone volume must be increased to the necessary level. Sometimes this procedure can be made together with implantation. Bur according to statistics, implantation is usually postponed for many weeks. Formation of new bone tissue is expected in this case.

Modern implantation methods are said to enable tooth restoration within just one day. Is it true?
Yes, this is true. This is a method of one-stage implantation. I would like to admit that it differs from immediate one. Immediate implantation is done after tooth extraction.  One-stage one presupposes placement of an implant with a temporary crown or abutment. The first procedure is possible only in perfect conditions. For example, if the tooth was extracted traumatically, and there is no inflammation and redundant tissues in the hollow, but enough bone mass volume is present. In other case, we fill the hollow with bone component, wait several weeks, and then do a classical procedure. In some cases immediate implantation can turn into one-stage one. For instance, if implant placement ran with no inflammation. A one-stage method is common when working with a frontal teeth group in order the patient’s smile could be beautiful. Placement of an abutment or temporary crown together with an implant enables to make gum shape correct. And this is an important issue.

What is surgical pattern implantation?
This is one of new implantation methods that permits to place implants in the mouth correctly. Before the procedure itself, working out of the pattern (for each patient) takes place. It is forwarded then to computer tomography centre where its scanning takes place separately and then together with the patient. The interactive models are forwarded back to our clinic where we combine them. The pattern gives an opportunity to add more aesthetics to procedure result. In other words, we can define where prostheses or crowns will be placed and then create implants for them. Due to this method visual effect is fabulous. We can integrate implants even when small bone volume is present. During the procedure no structures are interfered, and procedure time is contracted. Surgical pattern is a nice method for those who lack several neighbouring teeth or all the teeth.

Could we learn about all the stages of this procedure?
Let us imagine that the patient had been examined and then he came to our clinic for implantation procedure. First we do local anaesthesia. All the surgeries of this kind are made during a couple of hours, that is narcosis by tooth implantation is not needed. Then depending on a medical case different measures can be taken: if a two-stage method is needed, we make an incision in a gum, drill a bone, place an implant into it, and cover it with tissue. Then suturing comes. All this takes 15 minutes. If a pattern method is applied, implant placement can take to 10 minutes, since the necessity of gum incision and suturing is absent. Immediate and one-stage procedures take a little bit more time, because here tooth extraction or abutment placement is needed.

In what cases implant placement without bone augmentation is impossible?
If bone mass is not enough, bone grafting is necessary. But if there is no inflammation in the working zone, bone augmentation can be made together with implantation. Due to this, the procedure takes less time. Another manipulative action can be made. It consists in soft tissue transplantation. It gives an opportunity to make a smile more attractive, since the gum acquires more aesthetic look. The procedure is common during restoration of frontal teeth.

Is examination by other specialists of the clinic before implantation procedure necessary?
Implants are placed only into a sanified oral cavity. That is why a visit to a hygienist or physician is recommended. They will eliminate all the depositions and caries. Thus, the risk of implant failure will be minimal.

What quantity of implants is necessary for full smile restoration?
Ten implants for each jaw will be enough for those who are fully edentulous. But six or eight implants can lead to good results as well. If you want to save money, we can recommend to you removable prostheses based on four or two implants. Many patients think that two-four implants cannot stand loading and the process of implant failure can take place. In fact, pressure while chewing is made evenly through the whole prosthesis construction, including a bone and gum. That is why there is nothing to worry about.

After rules should be followed after the procedure?
Your doctor’s recommendations should be kept to. It is forbidden to gargle implant zone during two or three days. The reason for that is washout of white blood cells promoting fast healing. This zone must be cleaned neatly. You can buy special soft tooth brushes and a tooth paste with antiseptic. It is forbidden to go to sauna and solarium, do exercises, lift heavy things during three of four days after implantation. If you have unpleasant feelings or discomfort in your mouth, you have to visit a dentist immediately. If you keep to all the necessary recommendations and care your implant thoroughly, it will remain on its place the whole your life.

When is implantation recommended or forbidden?
Implants cannot be integrated if a girl is under eighteen or if a boy is under twenty-one. Integration is forbidden in this case, because ay this time the bones continue developing. Implantation can distort this system. Speaking about maximum age, there are no restrictions for this procedure. Contraindications can include bad blood coagulability as well as distortion of bone mass regeneration processes. Surgery is forbidden in a case when a woman is pregnant or if a patient has some problems with his or her mental condition. The procedure can be made in any other case.