Better quality of life with dental implants 

An important task laid down in the statutes of the DGZI, Europe’s oldest scientific Association of Dental Implantology, is to provide the patient with objective and independent information about implant dentistry.

More than 300 specialists in implantology throughout Germany and in other countries are members of the DGZI. They have many years of experience in implantology, have placed a numerous implants and, after undergoing comprehensive further education, they have passed the quality examination "Oral Implantology Specialist-DGZI (specialist in implantology). To find specialists in your area click the emblem "Spezialist Implantologie" in the header of the web site.

Dental implants – the better alternative

A radiant, happy smile often says more than a thousand words. When we have beautiful teeth we just feel good, express a lust for life and self assurance. But with a strong set of teeth we can enjoy our food and bite into whatever we want.

Many people, however, are unaware of the important medical function of a healthy set of teeth; the natural masticatory forces load the jawbones, thus helping to maintain them. If this load decreases due to loss of teeth, bone loss is inevitable. Like our own teeth, implants maintain the function and chewing load of the jawbone.

When we lose teeth – whether due to caries, periodontal disease or trauma – we want a replacement that restores our natural appearance and the function of our teeth as much as possible. A denture can meet these demands only to a limited extent: We can no longer bite properly – and bone loss results. With a bridge, healthy adjacent teeth might have to be milled, and this is also with certain risks.

The modern alternative that has been used in everyday practice for decades and which has proven itself in thousands of cases is the dental implant. The implant is firmly anchored in the jaw and replaces the root of the tooth. In the ideal case any tooth lost can be replaced with an implant onto which a crown is then fixed exactly where the old tooth was without affecting appearance or chewing function. But implants can also serve to firmly anchor or removable dentures in the jaw.

In practice titanium has established itself as the basic material for implants because this metal has an extremely good biological tolerability. Dental Implants are frequently root-shaped and usually have a rough surface. This improves healing and ensures the firm bond with the jawbone.

40 years of scientific research and practical experience have shown that implants are an optimal and lasting solution for tooth loss. Complications are of course - as with any surgical intervention – a possibility with this type of treatment, too. And of course the individual prerequisites and options for treatment must be examined in detail by a specialist with experience in implantology and discussed with the patient.

But we, as patients, can also contribute considerably towards the long-term success of the treatment: Implants – like the natural teeth – require thorough and consistent oral hygiene. And something else that’s important: Smoking increases the risk of failure. Smokers who stop smoking at the latest before implant treatment reduce the risk of losing the artificial root.

Options of modern implantology

Modern implantology offers optimal solutions for individual dental problems. The treatment options range from the replacement of missing a single tooth to the restoration of the toothless jaw with implants. Bridges and dentures can also be firmly anchored by means of implants.

But first of all you, the patient, must be convinced that implant placement is the best solution for you. As a specialist in oral implantology, your dentist will advise you comprehensively about the prerequisites for and the chances and risks of the treatment. He will take time to answer your questions before you decide together on a more detailed examination. In addition to the state of the oral cavity in general, the teeth and gums, bone structure plays an important role. Is enough bone present to anchor the implants or do special methods have to be used in order to improve the bone?

The actual treatment steps can only be planned and discussed on the basis of a detailed examination and diagnosis. Your dentist will compile a treatment and a proforma invoice showing all the planned measures and the expected costs. When the patient decides, treatment can start. Speaking of financial issues implant treatment is input-intensive and therefore not cheap. But an optimal dental prosthesis - both esthetically and from the medical point of view - should be worth that to you. Recent studies have shown that, in the long term, implantation can even be cheaper than conventional methods, which may require many additional treatments.

Shorter treatment times

Patients want an optimal dental prosthesis involving as few consultations/appointments to the dentist as possible. And modern implantology fulfills this understandable wish. The trend is clearly heading towards shorter treatment times.

Provided certain conditions are fulfilled the implant can be placed immediately after extraction of the tooth (“immediate implantation“). If the artificial tooth roots have a certain stability in the bone the prosthesis made in the laboratory can be immediately affixed and loaded onto the implants (“immediate loading“). In the ideal case the patient leaves the dentist’s office already on the day of implant insertion with temporary prosthesis. This is also beneficial for medical reasons: The earlier the implant takes over the natural functions of a root, the better it is for the bone structure.

But these methods can only be applied by an experienced implantologist strictly following the medical criteria (“indications”). If these conditions are not met, several weeks must pass after extraction of the tooth before implantation can take place. After the implant has become integrated, between approximately 2 and 3 months for the lower jaw and approximately 3 and 6 months for the upper jaw, the permanent prosthesis can be fixed on the implants. In many cases some patience is required but this only benefits the chances of the long-term success of the treatment.

Diagnosis and treatment planning for implants are quite extensive but they are important factors for the success of the treatment. The surgery is generally performed on an out-patient basis and under a local anesthesia. The actual treatment is therefore painless and for the patient it is similar to having a tooth extraction. The implantatinsertion of a single tooth, that is the drilling of the jawbone and the insertion of the implant into the bone followed by suturing, is a routine operation for a specialist. Swellings of the cheek or lips may occur, but usually disappear after a day or two.

Some important questions you might ask

What is a dental implant?

An implant is an artificial tooth root similar to a screw. It is inserted in the jawbone when the patient’s own tooth, including the root, has been lost. The implant and the corresponding post generally consist of titanium, a metal characterized by very good biological tolerability and long stability.

How long do implants overlife?

Implants are very durable. They can be insite for a lifetime. In addition to the patient’s general health and the quality and quantity of jawbone, oral hygiene plays an important role. The long-term success rate of implants is more than 90 percent after 10 years.

What are the indications?

There are various prosthodontic methods for missing teeth: a permanent bridge, a removable denture, or implants. A combination of these methods is also possible. For instance implants can serve as an additional anchor for bridges or stabilize dentures. Here are some examples:

• When a front tooth is missing appearance and pronunciation are particularly severely impaired. An implant is the optimal solution to this problem. The healthy neighboring teeth are – unlike in the case of a bridge – completely unaffected when a single tooth is implanted.

• When several teeth next to one another are missing implants can serve as an additional “pillar” for secure anchoring of the bridge. However, the replacement of each missing tooth with an implant-supported crown is close to the natural situation.

• Implants can also ensure perfect appearance and even loading of the jawbone in the toothless jaw. Dentures can be fixed in place by several implants.

When should I have implants?

Implantplacement should take place as early as possible after tooth loss. Implants heal best when they are inserted 8-10 weeks after tooth extraction. Keep in mind that, without loading, 40-60 percent of the jaw will be lost during the first 2-4 years. And delayed reconstruction is difficult and expensive.

How many implants should I have?

Implants, like natural tooth roots, transfer the forces generated while chewing to the jawbone. The more missing teeth can be replaced by implants, the better it is for the chewing function and the bone. Cost factors should play a minor role.

Can implants also be inserted if too little bone is available?

The jawbone does not always have enough volume to give the implant firm support. The causes of this are loss of teeth, bone loss or too little height of the jaw. In many cases bone can be built up by augmentation procedures, either with the patient’s own bone or with synthetic material that changes into bone.

What are the risks?

Dental Implantplacement is a form of surgical intervention similar in extent to surgical tooth extraction. In certain cases there can be special individual risks for patients which must be discussed and/or treated before implants are placed. If an implant is lost it can be replaced by a new one in most cases.

What do I have to do as a patient?

Perfect oral hygiene is the most important prerequisite for long-term implant success. Particularly the transition area between the implant and the gums must be kept free from bacterial deposits and plaque. This often requires special cleaning techniques (dental floss, interdental brushes). Regular professional hygiene care is also indispensable.

How can I find a specialist for oral implantology?

More than 300 Oral Implantology Specialist-DGZI throughout Germany and in other countries belong to the DGZI. They have several years of experience with dental implants, have inserted a large number of implants, and have passed the DGZI quality exam –wich is unique in Germany. You can find the list easily on this web site.

© DGZI e.V.