Implantology
The history of the dental implant began back in antiquity, but its development based on in-depth medical studies on human subjects began in 1950 under the supervision of Prof. Branemark. In 1952, Dr. Linkow placed his first implant intraorally, reaching by 1992 a total of 19,000 dental implants, 12 books on various implantology topics and 36 patents, a body of work that led leading figures in dental medicine to regard him as the father of modern implantology.
The dental implant is a medical device, shaped like a cylindrical or cylindro-conical screw, which is placed into the jaw bones to act as a root supporting the future prosthetic restoration. It can be made of titanium (metal) or zirconium (ceramic material), both materials having similar properties of biocompatibility and osseointegration. The surface of the implants can be modified by plasma spraying, acid etching or loading with calcium ions in order to promote the proliferation of bone cells and to accelerate the osseointegration process.
The placement of dental implants in the jaw bone is carried out by means of a surgical technique, under loco-regional anaesthesia or, exceptionally, conscious sedation or general anaesthesia. The osseointegration period of the implants is 3–6 months, after which the prosthetic restoration phase of the edentulous area can be started.
The placement of dental implants is preceded by a full assessment of the local and general state of health, through blood tests, radiological examinations (computed tomography) and an intraoral consultation. At the intraoral consultation, data are collected on the health of the dental tissues and of the soft tissues adjacent to the area where the dental implants will be placed. The radiological examination provides additional data on the quantity and quality of the bone tissues, as well as on the neighbouring anatomical structures that must be avoided (nerves, blood vessels, sinuses).
With the help of computed tomography and digital techniques for recording the prosthetic field, surgical templates and guides can be made that allow dental implants to be placed in ideal prosthetic positions and provisional restorations to be produced prior to the surgical procedure, so that the patient can leave the operating room with a restored smile. The advantages of this technique are: minimal invasiveness, maximum precision and restoration of the edentulous area on the day of surgery.
Blood tests are necessary in order to reveal the state of health of the whole body, so as to identify any dysfunctions (diabetes, endocrine disorders, autoimmune diseases, etc.) that may potentially affect the osseointegration of the dental implants.
