Osseointegration surgery is a technique for binding an implant directly to the bone. Osseointegration occurs successfully in the knee and joint replacement. However, osseointegration has the greatest success in dentistry. If you are missing one or more teeth and you want to restore your smile, you should consider osseointegration surgery or all on 4 dental implant treatment.
Osseointegration Surgery and Dentistry
Osseointegration surgery was first proposed in 1940 when a team of researchers in Great Britain; Bothe, Beaton, and Davenport noted that titanium, when implanted directly in animal bone tended to fuse very tightly with no intervening soft tissue. When using osseointegration surgery in dentistry, dental implants made of titanium, ceramic or other metals can go directly with the bone-forming a tight and lasting bond.
For patients with extensive or complete tooth loss, a surgical technique called All-On-4 will allow the replacement of all teeth, using only 4 implants to support a full arch prosthesis.
The all on 4 dental implant treatment technique offers several benefits:
- Restores a patient’s entire smile with only 4 implants in one day.
- Implants do not loosen or shift.
- Dental bone grafting is typically not required.
Osseointegration Process
In the osseointegration dental implant process, the dentist will first anesthetize you and remove natural teeth if necessary. You apply four small titanium screws directly into the jawbone on the top and bottom of the mouth. You then place the screws strategically to permit the titanium screws to equally bear the weight of the dentures. Then one affixes a full set of permanent dentures to the 4 screws at the top and bottom of the jaw, thereby fully restoring your smile in only one visit.
Immediately after the surgery, you will go to a cosmetic surgery recovery room. During the first hour, your mouth will hold a lot of gauze to slow bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, you remove the gauze.
After returning home, it is very important to treat surgical procedure areas with care. Smoking after All-On-4 surgery is strictly prohibited because it retards the healing process. If there is minimal bleeding, you may rinse with salt water starting 24 hours post-surgery. Avoid strenuous activity for the first 3-4 days after surgery.
Common All-On-4 post-surgery issues may include:
- Persistent bleeding – If bleeding doesn’t stop, reposition the gauze to cover the surgical areas. If that doesn’t work, try ice packs on the outside of the mouth. If all else fails, contact your dentist for an appointment
- Swelling – Expect to swell for the first 2-3 days. Ice packs will help it
- Pain – The dentist may prescribe medication for pain. If you find that the pain is unbearable, call your dentist
Long-term Care
It is very important to care for your implants by brushing regularly, flossing and rinsing with an approved rinse. Poor oral and dental healthcare is the leading cause of failure with All-On-4 dental implants.
If you have missing teeth, review your options with your dentist at Sacramento Surgical Arts by calling 866.930.5837 to see if osseointegration surgery is right for you.
