Dental implants are like artificial roots of teeth which are placed into the jaw. Dental implants are giving the support for crowns, bridges and removable dentures. This is a wonderful solution, because we can implant the artificial root into the place of the lost tooth thus after healing it can take over the original function.

Usually it is hard to tell the difference between the original tooth and the implant supported crowns. Replacing the missing teeth by means of implant dentistry will provide you better comfort, esthetics and harmony of your face with better function in smiling, chewing and biting.

The advantages of implants include:

• Single tooth replacement: no need to file off the neighboring healthy teeth when preparing them for bridge work.
• Over 98% of implant placement is successful.
• Missing molars: if there is free end e.g. no molars on the far back, it is impossible to make a bridgework and in conservative dentistry the only possible solution is removable partial denture. With implant dentistry it is still possible to make a fixed bridgework most of the times.
• In the situation of the completely edentulous jaws, after a certain period of time the removable complete dentures become loose. Thus it is moving and it’s difficult to bite, chew and talk with them even when lots of denture glue is used. With implant supported dentures, the function could be back to normal again.
• Missing neighboring teeth: with a couple of implants a partial bridgework can restore the function.
• In optimal circumstances, implant supported dental works can work against the bone resorption of the edentulous jaws.
• With better function and stable bridgework and dentures can give you more self- confidence and success in your interpersonal relationship.
• Avoidance of use of removable dentures which by some is considered to be the sign of the old age.

Indications and relative contraindications of implants

The main indication for dental implant is the lack of teeth. There are some relative contraindications which has to be judged individually:

• uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
• previous bisphosphonate therapy for osteoporosis
• cytostatic therapy for various diseases (cancer, rheumatoid arthritis etc.)
• heavy smoking
• bleeding disorders
• previous radiotherapy of the jaws or nearby regions.

Of course we wouldn’t place an implant into the mouth with serious acute periodontitis, neglected oral hygiene carious teeth, dental calculi etc. These problems have to be dealt with prior to implant surgery.