A leading specialist in dentistry, Dr. Rodriguez Fernandez is an expert in dental esthetics, implantology and periodontics. He is the manager and medical care manager of the Emilio Rodriguez Dental Clinic, and professor of the Master’s Degree in Surgery and Implant Prosthetics at the University of Cordoba. In the following article he explains when and to whom immediate load implants are applied.
Immediate load implants are a type of dental implant that receives a fixed prosthesis in a period of time that does not exceed 48 hours after its placement. This prosthesis is temporary or provisional and can be functional or not.
When and to whom immediate load implants are applied
Immediate load implants are the most frequent option when it comes to implants located in areas of high esthetic compromise, as well as when a total replacement of a patient’s teeth is needed.
This treatment is applied to those who have lost a tooth in an esthetic area, healthy patients who have good oral hygiene habits. However, it is not recommended for heavy smokers and patients with poor hygiene habits, as well as patients with untreated periodontal disease.
Preparations for immediate load implants
Before any type of incision, it is necessary to establish a goal that is easy to achieve, without creating false expectations for the patient. For this, it is very important that a specific study of each case is made, which should be accompanied by the following steps:
- Patient selection criteria.
- Photographic study.
- Study of models and occlusion.
- Complete radiological study.
Having an exhaustive and detailed study of the case will contribute to minimize the risks and increase the probabilities of success.
To ensure that the provisional implant is correctly applied, it is important to have good bone anchorage and abundant gum around it.
How long do immediate load implants last?
This type of prosthesis is usually made of resin, so its duration in the mouth does not exceed six months. During this time the implant osseointegrates and the soft tissues are modeled by the anatomical shape of the provisional tooth or denture.
The fact that they are provisional implants allows good communication between the patient, the practitioner and the laboratory technician, since the first of the three can decide the shape and color of the teeth from these temporary implants. The practitioner can define the appropriate occlusal contact points and modify the gingival space to achieve maximum naturalness. This information is transmitted to the dental laboratory technician to fabricate a fully customized prosthesis to suit the patient’s needs.
The success of this treatment modality is conditioned by the patient, the expert and the laboratory technician, which allows a high success rate to be achieved.
The price of this surgery is significantly higher than standard dental implants, since a prosthesis must be available on the same day of the intervention.