A beautiful smile – thanks to ceramic implants!
Some people can look after their teeth as carefully as they like – sometimes it simply doesn’t help, and then it’s time to see a dentist. Ceramic implants are an ideal option in such cases. They are made and placed as part of dental treatment. Especially when front teeth are crumbling or have been lost altogether in an accident, ceramic implants can be a great help. Other people won’t immediately notice the difference from natural teeth. This treatment allows patients to wear a beautiful smile again. A good dentist will draw up a treatment plan for their patients in which all costs are clearly listed.
Advantages and disadvantages of ceramic implants
If you opt for a ceramic implant, there are – as in almost every area – advantages and disadvantages. Patients should know about these so that they can make an informed decision. Of course, at a good dental practice the dentist will always take time for a thorough consultation. But some things don’t come to mind straight away.
Advantages:
- fully tolerated by the body
- natural, biological product
- high flexural strength
- ideal degree of hardness
- natural tooth-coloured shade
- low risk of inflammation
Disadvantages:
- healing process of approx. 24 weeks
- must heal without being loaded
- possible damage during the grinding process
- Higher material costs.
Ideal care of the dentures
Since a ceramic implant is a dental prosthesis, it must of course always be cleaned. Uncertainty can arise, especially at the beginning. In general, the teeth should be cleaned up to three times a day with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste, even with implants. However, flossing and oral irrigators are not recommended. Furthermore, a dentist will no longer perform fluoride treatments or varnish treatments on ceramic implants. With an interdental brush, patients can clean the area between their teeth once a day. The dental practice recommends the ideal strength of the tooth cleaning sticks.
Alternative to a ceramic implant
Your dentist may recommend not using a ceramic implant. In that case, a somewhat more expensive titanium implant is an alternative. It is made in one piece and can therefore be an advantage for some types of tooth replacement. The tooth replacement commonly called a zirconia implant is actually made of zirconium(IV) oxide and comes very close to the titanium implant. There are also other materials used to make tooth replacements. Any good dentist will give their patients sufficient information about the implants that are suitable for them.
Risks and side effects of dental implants
As dental implants are always a form of prosthesis, there can be risks and side effects associated with the treatment. These may include a longer healing process or an incorrectly placed implant. Inflammation of the gums can also occur. It is therefore important to always attend follow-up appointments with your dentist, so that side effects can be detected and treated early. Patients should not hesitate to call the dental practice if they have a problem – that way, help can be given quickly.
Anaesthesia methods at the dental practice
Over time, many patients have developed a fear of visiting the dental practice. Every good dentist knows how to deal with this. Gentle methods are now available, especially for treatments that involve anaesthesia, so that anxious patients too can sit calmly in the dental chair. Besides treatment under general anaesthetic, there are other gentle options such as mild hypnosis. Patients should always be open and honest and tell their dentist that they are anxious. Only then can the dentist address their fears. Sedation can be used especially for treatment in which a ceramic implant is placed. The advantage is that the patient remains responsive but feels no pain. Twilight sedation has a similar effect.