Losing one or several teeth often doesn't seem like a big problem, so their restoration is postponed to a later date. AND klinika oral surgeons Evelina Ginevičiūtė and Ignas Barauskas warn that a lost tooth eventually leads not only to a steadily worsening appearance but also causes various unwanted processes and health problems. The experienced specialists tell us about the most advanced way to restore teeth at present – dental implantation – and name the reasons why this procedure shouldn't be put off.

“Dental implantation is the most advanced and effective way to restore lost teeth. Dental implants perfectly imitate a tooth's natural appearance and perform the functions of natural teeth,” says E. Ginevičiūtė.

According to Ignas Barauskas, as technology improves, almost every patient can enjoy dental implants. Although there are certain indications where implantation isn't recommended because of high risk (for example, with certain systemic diseases, after intensive anti-cancer treatment), each specific case is decided individually, weighing the possible benefit and risk.

After losing a tooth or several, you must take care of their restoration as soon as possible. If you delay and don't turn to doctors, unwanted processes inevitably begin in the body. The neighbouring teeth start to tilt towards the gap that has appeared, and their roots become exposed. Because of the worsened bite, it becomes harder to chew, and poorly chewed food causes digestive disorders. Tilted teeth are harder to clean properly, plaque accumulates and the risk of decay increases. Not getting its usual load, the jaw begins to melt away at the site of the lost tooth. Because of this, the bite lowers over time, the cheeks sink in, and a person looks older than they really are. “If teeth aren't restored in time, the quality of life of a person who has lost teeth steadily worsens and self-doubt increases. Dental implantation restores oral health, an attractive appearance and self-confidence and lets you enjoy life again,” the doctor assures.

According to the oral surgeon, it's ideal when the implantation procedure is carried out right after a tooth is lost or removed, because later most of the jawbone is lost and a bone-grafting procedure is needed. According to statistics, additional bone grafting is currently needed before every second implantation.

It's important to mention that dental implantation is a fast, safe and painless procedure. Screwing in one implant takes about half an hour. During the operation, a temporary crown can be attached to the screwed-in implant, or a healing cap is fitted and the implant left to heal. Once the implant integrates, prosthetics are done.

Implantation can be delayed or immediate. With immediate implantation, after a tooth is removed an implant is screwed in the same day and a temporary crown fitted. Using this method shortens the treatment time and requires fewer surgical interventions and visits to the specialist. This treatment method helps preserve the natural contour of the soft and hard tissues and achieve better aesthetic results. Thanks to immediate implantation, chewing function, phonetics and appearance can be restored faster.

Ignas Barauskas says patients often ask about possible complications. According to the oral surgeon, complications after implantation do occur, but as technology improves, they're very rare. The most common complications are inflammation, infection and failure of the dental implant to integrate. Still, according to the doctor, careful oral hygiene and responsible adherence to the doctor's recommendations reduce the risk of complications to a maximum.

According to E. Ginevičiūtė, what patients fear most is perhaps the dental implant failing to integrate. But this is a very rare complication, most often linked to smoking or systemic diseases. Reliable, world-recognised implant manufacturers constantly invest in scientific and clinical research and improve their products, striving to make implants as biologically compatible with the jawbone as possible, so these days implants integrate in almost everyone. The highest-quality Swiss “Straumann” dental implants used at AND klinika are notable for their extremely high integration rates. They're made of the patented “Roxolid” titanium-zirconium alloy, which is as much as 35% stronger than titanium and has better biocompatibility. Using these implants, an integration rate of more than 99% can be ensured even in especially complicated cases.

According to I. Barauskas, thanks to modern technology, temporary teeth are most often fitted for the patient right after the implantation procedure and later replaced with permanent ones. Many manufacturers give them a lifetime guarantee.

Finishing the conversation, the experienced specialists remind us that to enjoy the results of implantation for a long time, it's also important to visit the doctor regularly and have professional hygiene done twice a year.