Dental Implantology

Implantology is the branch of dentistry that deals with the replacement of missing natural teeth using implants onto which new artificial teeth are inserted. Thanks to a phenomenon called "osseointegration," the bone grows in direct contact with the implant surface, made of pure titanium. The implants thus become an integral part of the body, just like the roots of natural teeth.

Compared to a traditional bridge, placing an implant allows the integrity of the teeth adjacent to the edentulous area to be maintained, avoiding the need for a prosthesis. Furthermore, in the implant area, the alveolar bone, which would otherwise be subject to resorption, is preserved. The implant, in fact, stimulates and preserves the bone like the root of a natural tooth. In more extensive rehabilitations, a chewing ability fully comparable to that of natural teeth is achieved.

There is no such thing as "rejection" because titanium is an absolutely biocompatible and biologically inert material. However, implant failure does exist, which can occur immediately or in the medium to long term. Immediate failure occurs due to the implant's failure to osseointegrate before the prosthetic phase, but this is an extremely rare occurrence, occurring in approximately 2% to 3% of cases. Medium to long-term failure can be caused by improper implant maintenance. It is essential that patients undergo periodic check-ups and meticulously maintain their oral hygiene. Implant maintenance involves 3-4 appointments per year during which the patient will undergo normal professional hygiene procedures, a clinical check-up, and an annual x-ray. If an implant fails, there is no residual biological damage. Implant loss is comparable to tooth extraction and does not affect the possibility of placing another immediately or after healing. If the patient maintains scrupulous home hygiene and undergoes periodic check-ups, the implant's lifespan is comparable to that of a natural tooth.