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Dental Implant Surgery

If teeth are missing, and you are looking for dental implants in Abu Dhabi, look no further. Your Snö dentist will consult you on what the best options are, as well as all the alternatives.

Dental implants are the most common solution today to replace gaps, but in some cases, a bridge is an alternative. Our dentists are experienced in the dental implant surgery required for a strong and reliable foundation for dental implants. In difficult cases, our specialist surgeon will take part in the dental implant surgery.

In the 80s, a Swedish dentist, Per Ingvar Brånemark pioneered the idea of dental implants. His brand Nobel Biocare, is still the world’s leading brand and is used by Snö.  He realised that the metal titanium is not rejected by the body, but is easily accepted as a natural part of the body. This means the titanium implant will integrate with the bone it is put in. This is called osseointegration and is a preferred and popular treatment.

A close up of a single dental implant replacing a gap on front teeth. Dental implants, in many cases, can replace one, several or all teeth.

The bone quality is paramount.
The number of dental implants the dentist will fit depends on the bone quality and the available bone. In a completely edentulous (lacking teeth) jaw, six implants are sufficient. On these six implants, it is possible to place 12 new porcelain teeth. One implant can also be used to replace one tooth. The possibilities are many.

An example of a 3D cone beam scan before placement of the implant. All dental implant treatment at Snö includes cone beam 3D x-rays, 3D planning with prefabricated guides to enhance the result and maximise success. 

When you lose a tooth, the bone in that cavity usually resorbs. This is because without teeth there is nothing to stimulate the bone. When you chew, the pressure stimulates the tooth and subsequently the bone. When an implant is placed we can avoid the resorption of bone. But if one waits too long before inserting an implant, there might not be enough bone left.

In cases where a lot of bone has been lost it is possible to transplant bone from another part of the body. This may seem like a lot to overcome, but when the alternative is a denture, it is worth it.

Dental implant treatment is a well-documented and tested treatment. Furthermore, it has the highest success rate in dentistry. It has to be carefully planned to ensure success and requires, at the minimum, an extensive x-ray examination and consultation with specialists.

At Snö, we do not offer same day dental implants, as dental implant treatment consists of two elements. A surgical part, where the dentist places the implant in the bone, and a prosthetic part, where the new teeth are fixed onto the implants. As a new implant in the bone needs some time to heal before you can put any load on it, your dentist must make a temporary solution. This could be a temporary denture or bridge.

When the bone is good, no preparation is needed. However, if loose teeth have to be removed prior to placing implants, it is important to give the bone time to heal. This way, we can be sure there is no infection left in the bone when placing an implant. This two-pronged approach, prohibits us from offering same day dental implants.

Two missing front teeth replaced with implants.

Close up from the biological integration of a single implant (left), and the ceramic crown attached to it (right).

Prognosis
The success rate for dental implants is very good. A long-term study shows that more than 90 percent of implants placed work very well. Regular visits to your dentist and hygienist will help ensure that your implants continue to work well. With time, the teeth on the implants will wear just like normal teeth and may require replacing. But in most cases, the implant will not need to be changed. If you lose an implant, it is possible to have a new one put in after a healing period.

Does it hurt?
Placing the implant is done under local anaesthetic, hence no pain is experienced during the procedure. Post-op, you can expect some swelling and moderate soreness. It will not be worse than having a wisdom tooth removed. We will advise you on the appropriate use of painkillers, if necessary.

Are complications to be expected?
Serious complications are extremely rare. Occasionally, an implant will not osseointegrate (root in the bone) leading to loss of the implant. In such a case you leave the area alone for a while to heal, before trying again, with a bone transplant. If it is deemed impossible to place an implant, you will need to discuss the alternative options with your dentist.

The quality and lifespan of the implant depends on the technique and time spent on the treatment.

A treatment can look and feel good, but can still have quality concerns. At Snö, we always document everything during treatment in order to ensure our high-quality standard. The crown/bridge carries a two-year warranty. If you follow our protection plan you can get up to 10 years of warranty on the implant and 5 years on the crown/bridge.

For dental implants costs and to learn if dental implant surgery is the best option for you, please call 800 -DENTIST.

Oral surgery:
Implants
Root canal treatments
Tooth removal

FAQ

  • What are dental implants?

    A dental implant is a prosthetic that replaces missing teeth rather than an actual tooth. It’s just a little titanium fixture that your dentist implants into your jawbone and then attaches to one of the following:

    • A single crown (cap)
    • Full denture
    • Partial denture
    • Fixed bridge

     

    The dentist ties an abutment to your implant after it has integrated with the bone, and then attaches your replacement tooth or teeth. The implant, the abutment, and the artificial tooth are the three components of the procedure.

    Dental implants are surgically implanted into your jawbone. Implants act as the roots of your missing teeth. Dental implants, unlike dentures or permanent bridgework, do not generate noise, slip, or cause bone damage since the titanium in the implants merges with your jawbone. Furthermore, the materials do not deteriorate like the real teeth that support traditional bridgework.

  • Are dental implants safe?

    Dentists have been using dental implants for many years, and implant technology is continuously advancing. Dental implants are now complex devices that are placed by highly educated experts. They’re one of the most dependable methods of tooth replacement.

  • Is the procedure painful?

    While discomfort varies from person to person, most patients say that obtaining their dental implant was far less painful than they imagined. The dentist will administer anesthesia to you during the surgical dental implant operation, so you should only have minor discomfort.

    They’ll employ mild procedures, and there’ll be little chance of infection because they’ll be working in a clean setting. You should have minimal discomfort if you follow the dentist’s post-operative instructions and take the antibiotics given. Pain medication will almost certainly be prescribed by your dentist, but many people may choose not to use it.

  • What can I eat after having a dental implant procedure done?

    For two days after surgery, you should consume soft foods, advisably liquid foods such as soup, porridge, milkshakes, smoothies etc. From day 3, you can eat soft foods that require minimal chewing such as pasta, eggs, cheese. You should be able to resume your normal diet and crunch on food from day 7.

  • After how long will it take for my dental implant to heal?

    The average implant procedure consists of several steps. It’s possible that you’ll need more than one healing stage. As a result, the healing time varies based on your health, the number of teeth you need replaced, and other factors. The healing process, on the other hand, can take anywhere from six to twelve weeks.

  • Am I a good candidate for dental implants?

    You must be in good oral and general health to be a good candidate for implants. To support the dental implant, you must have enough bone in your jaw, be free of periodontal disease, and have healthy gum tissues.

    In general, if you meet the following criteria, you may be a suitable candidate for dental implants:

    • Have missing teeth
    • Are unwilling or unable to wear dentures
    • Would like to improve your speech
    • Can commit a few months to the process
    • Don’t smoke or are willing to quit

     

  • How long do dental implants last?

    Dental implants can last a lifetime if you properly care for them by brushing, flossing, and following your dentist’s instructions. While your dentist cannot guarantee the long-term success of an implant, they may provide you advice on how to care for them best.

  • How much do dental implants cost?

    This is dependent on your individual circumstances. Your dentist will be able to provide you with a more exact estimate of the expenses of your operation. Give us a call and schedule a consultation to find out.