Choose your dental implants wisely
At present, it is common dental practice to replace missing teeth with dental implants; but complete information is not always provided to patients and even less is explained about the type of implants they will be receiving.
There are many different implant systems available worldwide. However, these systems are not always compatible and there is a big disparity between these systems. Some implant manufacturers have been around for over forty years and they provide elaborated products that are well referenced through dozens of scientific publications (companies accredited by the European Union (CE) are usually fulfilling these conditions). Unfortunately there are also companies that are providing cheap copies of existing systems. These copies do not present the same characteristics as the genuine implants; they consist of different surfaces and are made of different materials. Some copies are so bad that they fracture or their components are easily damaged, for example the screws that are used to fix the crowns on the implants.
Also, implant companies have the obligation to produce enough spare parts to ensure that the repairs of your implants will be available in the future. If a company were to go out of business and there were to be no spare parts, it would be very difficult or impossible to repair your implant’s crown if damaged, or to replace the screw if lost. In extreme cases, it could result in you having to replace the whole implant for a new one and replacing an implant is more complicated than you would expect.
In case of treatment failure, due to the use of an inappropriate implant, the problem will not concern only the implant itself but also the surrounding bone. Infections can destroy an important part of the bone surrounding the implant, and it will not be possible to place a new one unless there is enough bone remaining. Bone grafts will be necessary to reconstruct this bone and the patient will need to wait 4 to 6 months before another implant can be placed. Sometimes after treatment failure, the bone remaining is so thin that a bone graft and a new implant placement are impossible; the only alternative then will be a removable denture!
When investing in implant treatment, it is supposed to be for the long term. It is like as if you were to buy a new car. It is very easy to change your car if you do not like it but it is not as easy to replace dental implants. Choosing the right implants is extremely important and you need to do your research. Take your time and request information about the implants your dentist suggests. Always make sure you keep information about your chosen implants as this might come in handy in case you change dentists and you need some maintenance or repair work done.
For more information or a consultation about implants please make an appointment with Dr. Bernard Alliot at GMC Jumeirah – Dental 04 344 9150.
