Dental implants
Dental implants are artificial roots that replace lost natural roots. At the time of the surgery, the implants are anchored in the bone and become the support of the crowns, of a partial or complete dental prosthesis (denture) or of a fixed bridge. Dr. Lacoste can suggest implant surgery to replace one or more missing teeth depending on your condition.
Procedure for an implant examination
- Dr Lacoste will ask you about your medical history.
- He will perform a thorough oral and dental examination.
- He will take your bone mass and quality into consideration. In the event that there is bone resorption, a bone graft would be a solution to increase the volume.
- He will perform X-rays which will allow him to have more information on the region concerned.
The stages of implant surgery
- Using the surgical guide, Dr. Lacoste accesses the bone by making a small incision on the gum.
- In order to prepare the place in the bone, he will use several drills of increasing diameter. Drilling continues gradually until it reaches the desired diameter.
- Following the placement of the implant, there will be a phase called ‘osseointegration’, during which the fusion of the bone and the implant takes place then, during this healing, it is possible to put a temporary crown, a temporary prosthesis or a temporary bridge.
- Finally, after healing and fusion of the implant to the bone, Dr. Lacoste will expose the implant by removing the gum that now covers the head of the implant and will place the healing pillars (phase 2 of the treatment). Nearly a week later, the dentist or restorative specialist will take impressions in order to start the crown, the bridge or the fixed prosthesis.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
- Obtaining a natural aesthetic result;
- Long-term solution: fixed prosthesis;
- Normal and restored chewing;
- Maintains the integrity of adjacent teeth;
- Generally, the placement of implants is a minor surgery.