Question

Can periodontal disease or bone loss also occur with implants? How long does an implant last? How much does an implant cost? - E. ST. in E.

Short answer

Dental implants can replace teeth that have been lost, or more precisely, they replace the roots of the teeth. Tooth roots and implants are anchored in the jawbone. However, the way they are anchored is very different. Tooth roots are not directly connected to the bone, but are "suspended" in the bone with tissue fibers. For this reason, the dentist can also pull out teeth if necessary, i.e. tear these tissue fibers. Implants, on the other hand, are firmly and directly fused to the bone. Once they have grown in, they can no longer be pulled out. Are implants therefore better protected against bone loss and do they therefore last longer?

Bone loss in teeth and implants

Bone loss in teeth is called periodontitis (commonly known as periodontal disease), while that in implants is called peri-implantitis. The mechanisms of these pathological processes are similar. These diseases are caused by bacteria that inflame the gums and ultimately the bone. The bone reacts by dissolving and retreating. As a result, the tooth or implant loses its hold and is eventually lost.

Thorough hygiene every day

The most effective protection against these diseases is thorough daily hygiene (i.e. the removal of these bacteria) and regular professional check-ups and hygiene by the dentist or dental hygienist. Basically, the bone around teeth and implants is equally sensitive to these bacteria, even if there are scientific studies that give implants better marks. Implants should not be placed in teeth suffering from active periodontitis, as an infection in the same set of teeth can also spread to the implants. It is therefore important to examine your own teeth for existing periodontitis before implant placement and to treat it beforehand if necessary.

Long service life

Once dental implants have firmly grown into the bone (two to six months after insertion) and if they are not overloaded and are cleaned regularly, they will last a very long time. Based on many scientific studies, we can now assume that around 95 percent of implants will still be in perfect working order after ten years. Compared to other types of dental treatment, this figure is very high. However, the long service life depends on a number of essential prerequisites: Titanium as the implant material, an implant that has been independently scientifically tested at various universities, undisturbed healing time, no overloading, the dentist's experience, meticulous planning, good hygiene and professional aftercare.

Costs

The cost of treatment with implants is comparable to the cost of equivalent conventional dental treatment. However, the risk of failure with implant treatment is often lower in the long term. Another advantage is that the patient's own teeth can be saved from being ground down. In addition, comfort can often be greatly improved, for example by firmly anchoring an unstable denture. The following figures are taken from a survey conducted among several Swiss dentists for a newspaper article: Single implant with porcelain crown: 3500 to 5500 francs. Two implants with press studs and new prosthesis: 7000 to 10,000 francs. The range is due to the fact that, for example, additional bone augmentation may be necessary or a temporary prosthesis may have to be fabricated during the healing period. An individual assessment is always necessary.

Author: Dr. med. dent. Jürg Eppenberger
Published in: Neue Luzerner Zeitung on January 14, 2008