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Implantology

An implant is a tooth root replacement that is placed in the jawbone during a minor surgical procedure. This is often done under local anaesthetic. Most implants look like a screw and are made of titanium, zirconium or a combination of these materials. The implant is a strong base for an implant crown, implant bridge or dentures.

illustration of a single implant in a denture

When do you need an implant?

If you are missing a tooth, or if several teeth are missing in your mouth, implantology can be an appropriate treatment. In the absence of a single element, 1 implant is usually placed. After a so-called 'bone ingrowth period', a crown is placed on top, an implant crown.

If several teeth are missing next to each other, implantology can be used to anchor a removable click frame. But several implants can also be placed, on which an implant bridge is placed. Just like an implant crown, it is stuck in your mouth and functions like normal teeth.

If you have dentures and there is little grip in your jaw so that the dentures come loose with chewing, 2, 4 or 6 implants can be placed. A complete denture is then made that clicks into place on the implants. Such click dentures are removable, just like a click frame, so that you can clean them properly on a daily basis.

Therapy

Before placing implants, an extensive dental examination must be carried out by the implantologist. With implantological treatment, medical and dental health influences the success of the treatment. In such a preliminary examination, the bone quality and the bone quantity are assessed, among other things, by means of visual inspection and additional X-ray examination. This is done after the molar or tooth has been extracted, but preferably the relevant molar or tooth is still present.

In exceptional cases, an implant can be placed immediately after the tooth root has been pulled. Often a tooth is extracted first and the bone is allowed to heal for 8-12 weeks before the implant is placed. If a tooth has been missing for a long time, there may not be enough jawbone to anchor/place an implant. Usually new bone can be placed with additional treatment. This can be artificial bone or your own bone, for example from your pelvic crest or elsewhere from your jaw. After 4-12 months, depending on the situation and healing, the implant can be placed.

During the treatment, the implant is placed in the jawbone under local anaesthetic. Over the next 2 to 6 months, the jawbone attaches to the implant. Then the crown, bridge or click dentures can be made.

An implant is placed in 1 or 2 phases. In 1 phase, the cover screw (healing abutment) is visible above the gums. In 2 phase, the implant is placed and the gums are placed over the implant again. Once the implant has grown in, a small incision is made in the gums and the healing abutment is placed.

 

Costs

Placing implants and the construction on the implants are (partly) reimbursed from your additional dental insurance, if you have taken out. The costs depend on the extent of the treatment. Ask the implantologist about the treatment options and a budget. There are exceptional situations in which implantology is reimbursed from the basic insurance. If you want to claim this, your practitioner will submit an application to the health insurer. They will assess whether you are eligible for reimbursement under the basic insurance.

Care for young people up to 18 years

If you lose a front tooth before the age of 18 as a result of an accident or if one or more missing, permanent incisors or canines have not been formed, implantology will be reimbursed from the basic insurance. In the event of loss due to an accident before the age of 18, the implantologist submits an application; treatment can be postponed until the age of 22.

Adult care

In the case of a severely shrunken toothless jaw, click dentures can be partially reimbursed from the basic insurance.
If your deductible has not yet been used in that year, it will be addressed first.

Risks

The chance that an implant will grow well is very high. Good dental examination by your practitioner prior to treatment minimizes the risk of complications or failure. However, there may be temporary discomfort in the form of pain or swelling immediately after the implant has been placed. It also occasionally happens that an implant does not grow into the jawbone. Then it must be removed. The chance of this increases if you smoke.

Alternatives

  • Use
  • partial dentures
  • False teeth


Source: KNMT and NVOI

Source: everything about the teeth
You can find everything about Implants at: https://www.tandarts.nl/mondzorg/behandelingen/alles-over-implantaten

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