Several conditions can cause tooth loss, such as periodontitis, tooth decay or bruxism. With missing teeth, eating can become more difficult. The solution is usually dental implants in Vélez-Málaga, but there isn’t one implant for everyone: in this post we explain the types of dental implants available, which one might suit your case, whether they hurt and how to look after them after surgery.
What is a dental implant? A quick summary
It involves placing a titanium screw inside the upper jawbone (maxilla), for the top of the mouth, or inside the lower jawbone (mandible), for the bottom. The size of the implant depends on the gap left by the missing tooth, and an artificial tooth is then placed on top. If you’re looking for the full step-by-step process, you’ll find it in our guide to dental implants in Vélez-Málaga.
Before placing a dental implant, the dentist needs to check the condition of the gum and bone with an X-ray and, once it’s confirmed that there is enough bone, the implant is placed.
Types of dental implants by how they are placed
Depending on how the implant is placed, there are two types:
Immediate load dental implant: the implant is placed and a fixed temporary tooth is fitted on the same day or within the following hours. It requires a good amount of bone and no infection in the area, so it isn’t always possible (we explain when it’s suitable in our post on immediate load implants and fixed teeth in 24 hours).
Two-stage dental implant: in the first stage the implant is placed so that it can integrate with the bone. The second stage takes place 3 to 6 months later, depending on the area, when the abutment and the crown are fitted.
Types of dental implants by the teeth they replace
- Single implant: one implant with its crown to replace a single tooth, without touching the neighbouring teeth.
- Implant-supported bridge: when several teeth in a row are missing, two or more implants can hold a fixed bridge, so you don’t need one implant per tooth.
- Full denture on implants: if a whole arch is missing, several implants hold a complete denture, either fixed or removable. We explain what eating is like with fixed teeth on implants and how the All-on-4 technique, with four implants per arch, works.
The right type of implant depends on the gap to be filled, the amount and quality of the bone and your general health, so it is always decided after an assessment with X-rays.
Pain with dental implants
When it comes to getting a dental implant, one of the most common fears is pain after the operation, or whether the mouth will feel different. In reality, the protocol for placing dental implants is designed so that the patient doesn’t feel any pain.
The surgery is carried out at the dental clinic itself. The first step is to apply local anaesthetic to the area being treated, so the patient won’t feel any pain, just the initial prick of the injection.
Once the anaesthetic wears off, the patient will only feel mild discomfort. How much depends on the number of dental implants and where in the mouth they are placed.
Problems with dental implants
Placing implants may seem simple, but some complications can occur, either during the operation or in the post-operative period.
Just after the procedure, there may be pain, swelling, bleeding and bruising. There can also be mechanical complications, such as the denture or the screw breaking. If this happens, talk to your dentist so they can advise you on what to do.
It can also happen that the implant doesn’t fully integrate with the bone. This can be influenced by factors such as diabetes, the amount and/or quality of the bone, certain medications and smoking. The implant may move in the early stages of treatment, and in the medium to long term peri-implantitis can develop. Even with all the necessary check-ups, an implant may fail to integrate properly because of poor oral hygiene or certain biological factors in the patient.
Dental implant care
If you follow your dentist’s instructions properly, there shouldn’t be any complications after surgery. You’ll need to wait a few months before the final prosthesis is placed on the implant, regardless of healing time and removal of any stitches.
After the procedure, this is the essential care for your implants (and, in the long term, our guide to dental implant care and maintenance will be useful):
- Place a dry gauze pad on the area while the wound is bleeding and press for about 20 minutes. If it keeps bleeding, use another clean gauze pad and repeat.
- Don’t eat until the anaesthetic has worn off, which takes 4 to 6 hours after the procedure. A soft diet, with food at room temperature, is recommended for the first few days.
- The area where the implant is placed will swell after the procedure. To reduce discomfort, you can apply cold to the outside of your mouth and take painkillers or anti-inflammatories, as directed by the dentist who performed the procedure.
- Avoid both tobacco and alcohol, as they are two of the risk factors that can cause the treatment to fail.
- Oral hygiene must be thorough and very strict, using an ultra-soft surgical toothbrush. From the next day you can rinse gently with warm salt water or a chlorhexidine mouthwash, but always as recommended by your dentist.
- When sleeping, keep your head slightly higher than the rest of your body.
- Avoid physical exertion during the week after the procedure.
If you’re thinking about getting dental implants or have questions about which type of implant you need, book an appointment at our clinic in Vélez-Málaga and we’ll assess your case with you.
