What are the objectives of implant prostheses?
Prosthetic rehabilitation, regardless of the type of prosthesis used, arises from the urgent need to replace teeth that have been removed from the patient. If this were not done, the adjacent teeth would move towards the free space, causing the teeth that collided with the extracted one to grow.
This type of prosthesis replacement is based on two factors: it is a non-removable feature and it is attached to dental implants rather than to the patient’s own teeth.
Therefore, its objectives are to increase functionality, durability, beauty and, of course, the patient’s health.
Which patients need this treatment?
Patients without teeth and those with many missing teeth need it. They must also have enough bone to allow the implants to fit and distribute correctly. It is a prosthesis very similar to the natural dentition, but it is necessary that there are anatomical characteristics of bone availability. The prosthesis is placed over the implants. Once the implant osseointegration time has elapsed, the prosthodontist takes measurements and performs tests to ensure that the shape and color are adequate.
They are used both for complete jaws that have been left without teeth and to replace one or more teeth.
These prostheses can be screwed or cemented. If they are screw-retained, the dentist can remove them in the event of a fracture.
Do they bother me when I speak or eat?
Dental implants allow patients to regain functionality and beautiful esthetics of their mouth, after having lost one or more teeth. However, lack of data often leads to the spread of hoaxes about this treatment.
Fixed prostheses are so comfortable that you won’t even notice you are wearing them. In addition, they provide the same advantages. The use of these prostheses does not imply not eating any particular food. Prostheses on dental implants are adaptive and completely personalized.
What maintenance do they need?
It is important that at home – in addition to the clinic – an optimal re-evaluation protocol and periodontal maintenance is established. In addition, all these aspects need to be taken into account:
- Preventive: the patient should receive information about the type of implants and prostheses they are going to receive before they are placed. Their risk factors are evaluated in order to understand the importance of maintenance after the final rehabilitation. Treatment alternatives are also offered.
- Information: show the patient the prosthesis he/she will wear, how to clean it, etc. All this, by means of images, brochures, macromodels, etc.
- Control: show specific oral hygiene techniques that are adapted to each person. The patient should keep track of hygiene.
- Re-evaluate and monitor: at each visit, the condition will be monitored by means of bleeding evaluation and probing. Control X-rays will be taken when these values are altered, which will be compared with the first X-ray taken on the day the prosthesis is placed.
- Motivate: during the re-evaluation and maintenance visits the patient should be motivated regarding the prevention of peri-implant diseases.
- Actively treat: controls will be carried out and oral hygiene instructions will be reinforced. At Propdental we recommend the use of a mouth irrigator, specific flossers, interproximal brushes and single toothbrushes that adapt to all situations. Mechanical debridement is performed with tools that carefully treat the surface of the implant and the prosthesis. As metal and titanium ultrasound scratches the implant, carbon fiber, plastic, Teflon or rubber cups are used to remove plaque and calculus. In cases where there is no proper access, the option of disassembling the prosthesis will be considered in order to have proper access to the debridement. To prevent the recolonization of bacteria and to collaborate in a better hygiene, a chlorhexidine gel will be used. Finally, the patient will be instructed to clean his mouth at least twice a day, and will be informed that periodontal maintenance will be performed between 3 and 6 months, depending on the risk of each patient.