Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium. They are surgically implanted in your jaw to replace natural tooth roots and serve as anchors for crowns, bridges or complete dentures.

After the surgeon has placed them, they progressively fuse to the bone, a process known as osseo-integration. The healing period takes from one to several months, depending on such factors as bone quality, occlusion (contact between the teeth of the upper and lower jaw), and the type of restoration needed.

Getting implants is usually considered minor surgery. Most patients who have had it say their post-operative experience was similar to recuperating from the extraction of a few teeth.

The dentist who makes the restorations first examines your mouth to determine whether you are a candidate for an implant-supported prosthesis. If you are, he or she generally refers you to a surgeon who checks the quantity and quality of your bone and the condition of your gums. This may be a generalist or specialist with the necessary expertise in implants.

If there is not enough bone mass, it is possible to replace the lost or missing bone with a bone graft. A detailed oral, medical and radiological examination is an essential prerequisite.

The dentist builds the prostheses and mounts them on your implants. This may be a generalist or a prosthodontist, who specializes in crowns, bridges and dentures.

Once your final restorations are in place, they must be checked regularly; you should also visit your dentist at least once a year.

Main contra-indications

• You have specific health problems, such as uncontrolled diabetes.
• The anatomy of your jaws makes it impossible to build an implant-supported restoration with a crown or prosthesis.
• There is not enough bone to accommodate the implants and a bone graft is impossible.

In addition, implants are not recommended for adolescents, as they are still growing.

Different types of implant-supported prostheses

• Crown: the crown is cemented to the implant.
• Partial or complete fixed dentures: the implants take the place of the roots of the teeth; a partial denture may be screwed in or cemented, while a complete denture is screwed in.
• Partial or complete removable denture: the denture is attached in different ways to a bar screwed onto the implants.

Success rates

The success rate of placing implants in ungrafted bone ranges from 85 to 99%, depending on the implant site and the type of restoration.

Implants used to replace two molars			Molars installed on the implants
Implant ready to receive a crown			Final result of the crown on the implant, to replace a lateral incisor
Panoramic x-ray showing five implants and a retainer for a fixed lower denture			Fixed denture on five implants in the mandible and complete upper denture (no implants)

Two ball attachments on implants in the mandible, ready to receive a complete denture	Basal surface of the removable lower denture, with insertion points for ball attachments	Final result: complete lower denture in place, on two ball attachments to improve retention. Conventional complete upper denture.