New Developments in Dental Implant
Technologies
Although dental implants have been used to treat patients for around 50 years, new developments in implant technology and treatment philosophies have made treating patients with dental implants more successful, faster, and less expensive. Currently, implants are the gold standard of treatment for missing teeth.
Innovations in Dental Implants
In the past 10 years, companies that produce dental implants have made huge improvements in dental implant design, increasing the success of dental implants. Novel methods of coating dental implants increase the ability of the implant to integrate with bone around it, creating better stability and staying power. Advances in the shape and thread patterns allow for simpler insertion and better stability. Innovative component designs mean remaining bone can be taken advantage of for more flexibility in implant placement sites.
3D CAT Scanning
In the past, 2D radiographs have been the standard for dental imaging, diagnosis and treatment planning.
Recently, 3D CAT Scanning technology has been applied to dentistry, providing dental professionals with a valuable source of information regarding diagnosis and treatment planning, especially in implant cases. Prior to treatment, computer-generated models can be created using information provided by 3D CAT Scan technology, such as bone density. As a result, dentists, oral surgeons, and periodontists can be more precise in placing implants to avoid important structures (such as sinuses and nerves), and can accurately visualize the placement before the procedure.
3D CAT Scanners are not often found in conventional dental offices due to their cost. The Cholakis Dental Implant Centre places a high value on the information provided by this technology and therefore has 3D CAT scanning on-site.
Novel Treatment Approaches
Conventionally, dental implants have been inserted with a two-stage protocol in which implants are covered after placement and left covered for up to six months to allow bone to grow around the implant, stabilizing the implant (the first stage). If a bone graft is necessary prior to inserting the implant, more healing time will be required. After implant stability has been achieved, the implant is uncovered and a healing abutment is placed, and the second stage begins in which the new tooth or teeth are fabricated and placed on top of the abutment. This second stage may take another few months depending on the amount of time needed for fittings and laboratory procedures.
Now, advances in implant design and information provided by 3D CAT Scanning technology allow dentists, oral surgeons, and periodontists to immediately place new teeth on top of implants directly following implant placement. This one-stage method has success rates that are equal to or better than the conventional two-stage method.
Nobel Biocare and Ankylos are the world's foremost dental implant and implant component manufactures. Nobel Biocare Immediate Function™ can be applied to all clinical situations and different types of bone. It permits your dental provider at the Cholakis Dental Implant Centre to place the implants and provide patients with functioning replacement teeth in only one appointment.
Immediate Function Advantages:
- Quicker treatment time (only one appointment is needed for natural-looking and functional replacement teeth),
- More efficient treatment,
- Increased comfort for the patient,
- No need for a bone graft or sinus lift. In many cases,
- The patient will leave the Cholakis Dental Implant Centre with teeth.
A particular kind of Immediate Function technique, the All-on-4, is an efficient method for full-arch restoration.