15 March 2019 Autnor : Frederico Pimentel Teeth are essential in terms of oral health, aesthetics and personal identity. So, special care is needed to preserve them. This is also one of the areas in which dental medicine has crossed with maxillofacial surgery — a medical speciality dedicated to aesthetics, facial rejuvenation and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the head and neck, such as: Dysmorphic dentofacial disorders (prognathism and retrognathism); Benign and malignant tumours; Salivary gland disorders; Facial trauma; Temporomandibular disorder (TMD). What leads to the need for dental implants? Loss of teeth is inevitable due to several factors, such as: Deterioration; Trauma; Treatment of cystic or tumour lesions. Tooth loss can have a traumatising psychological impact. As such, treatment becomes an essential therapeutic measure in order to preserve: Psycho-social well-being; Chewing ability; Diction. Who can insert dental implants? There are many suitable alternatives for the various categories that the above patients find themselves in, and practically all of them can benefit from the placement of dental implants to replace teeth that have been lost, provided: They are in suitable conditions of health; There are no medicinal or therapeutic contraindications (such as regional radiotherapy). The placement of implants requires rigorous and comprehensive assessment by a qualified professional , who will be able to explain the various types of treatment available and recommend the most appropriate, and who will have sufficient experience in reconstructive surgery to be able to carry out the procedure. Why are dental implants the therapy of choice? Of all the various treatments available for dental rehabilitation, dental implants are currently the most popular approach available. Their benefits vary , notably with regard to: The stability of the prostheses/crowns; Prevention of bone resorption in the jaws; Better hygiene; Long-lasting or even lifetime rehabilitation. What does implant placement surgery involve? Treatment consists of surgery in which titanium implants are screwed into the jawbone . As this heals, the implants fuse with the bone and become integrated. Subsequently the following can be added: Crowns (for individual teeth); Bridges (for groups of teeth); Prostheses (for full, fixed or removable arches). Crowns, bridges and prostheses are supported by the implants and create stable functional units (which prevent the prostheses from falling) with direct transmission of the chewing forces to the bone, preventing resorption. Although as a rule this is a simple procedure that can be carried out in the dentist’s consultation room , many cases may require special care. Are there any associated risks? As a result of bone turnover associated with dental loss, bone volume is often very low. Therefore, the stability of the implants or the integrity of nearby anatomical structures (such as nerves or perinasal spaces) can be placed at risk. In these cases, other surgical treatment may be necessary , such as: Nerve repositioning; Guided bone regeneration; Sinus lift; Bone grafts; Zygomatic implants. Given the complexity of many of these cases and procedures, it is recommended that they are carried out by professionals with surgical, anatomical and reconstructive experience in this field. At the hospitals and clinics of the Hospital da Luz network, you can find maxillofacial surgeons and dentists to advise you on the best solution for your problems in this area. Meet the dentistry team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
