Navigating the Complex World of Dental Implants

·Dental implants make food get caught between the teeth more easily than natural teeth and are susceptible to periodontal disease

·Thoroughly clean the gum-implant transition area

·Choose a product considering the clean surface and stability of the joint

·Find an appropriate treatment time for the elderly, considering the underlying disease

Dental implants present a bright smile to patients who have been depressed due to tooth loss. However, the process of restoring a smile is not always so straightforward. From selecting implant materials to follow-up care to maintaining its lifespan, the hard work of medical staff and patients must be sustained. We met with Sejong Dental President Kim Seong-eon, devoted to product selection for safe and successful implants, to hear more details.

-Patients visit the hospital with the desire to complete the dental implants quickly. How long does an implant usually take to complete?

Although advertised as 'same-day implant,' these methods are only a tiny part of implant treatment. If the gums are not healthy or not protected when extracting a tooth, a tooth extraction makes the gums around the tooth empty. The dental implants placed directly on this area might limit bone grafting. And above all, there is a high risk of side effects when several procedures are performed simultaneously. Some people say that the latest dental implants allow prompt osseointegration in 6 weeks, but it is virtually impossible because few implant patients have sufficient alveolar bone. Dental implanting is a long journey that usually takes two months or more than a year.

- What implant products are you currently using, and why did you choose them?

Currently, I use SIC implants. As the implant material is insulted into the patient's body, the surface must be clean so proper osseointegration can process, reducing unexpected complications. In this respect, I think that the SIC implant is the product with the cleanest surface. In addition, implants are composed of a fixture, a pillar, and a prosthesis placed on top. The connection between the implant fixture and the upper prosthesis must be meticulous and durable. Since the early days of implant history, SIC Implant has maintained a stable quality control with strengths in this area.

- What advantages can these features give you in the case of dental implant surgery?

Dental implants undergo several surface treatment processes, such as acid treatment or small particle spray to make the surface rough to cause the bone and alveolar bone to adhere well. However, if it is not cleaned thoroughly during this process, the acid is continuously released into the patient's body. Then, various problems such as shaking the implant at any moment, smelling, and pus from the surroundings occur. Even if there is no problem right now, the implant's surface must be clean to secure long-term safety. Also, the teeth always bump into each other for chewing movement 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Therefore, if the connection between the implant fixture and the column is not stable, the patient may experience uncomfortable complications due to tearing or mechanical fracture. Considering all these factors, I insist that the connection site's clean surface treatment and stability are essential implant product selection criteria.

- Please explain if these requirements are particularly effective for which patients.

It is practical for elderly patients or patients with underlying diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. A clean implant surface can shorten their treatment period and is advantageous in the bone graft process. Also, these days, so-called implant dentures are operated as an auxiliary, which can be put on and off after getting a small number of dental implants. Even at this time, you can receive more stable implant treatment.

- Please explain the hospital's efforts for successful implants.

We continue to discuss patient-related issues through in-hospital seminars and staff training. Above all, our hospital has an entire floor as a preventive center for post-implant care and offers a dental hygienist service to provide professional follow-up care. Because dental implants do not have periodontal ligaments, they might feel too hard and cannot endure shock absorption. Therefore, the dental implant requires careful management for long-term use. We are trying to secure the long-term safety of implants by providing expert advice before patients feel any discomfort.

- Should I change the way I brush my teeth after dental implanting?

Dental implants have thin roots, unlike natural teeth, but the head is similar to natural teeth. So, food often gets stuck in the gaps between the gums. Since dental implants are artificial teeth, there is no chance of tooth decay, but they are more vulnerable to periodontal disease than natural teeth. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the area between the implant prosthesis and the root: the transition area from the gum to the implant prosthesis.

- Are you educating patients on how to brush their teeth properly?

We are conducting an experiential education program that visually shows whether or not patients brushed their teeth properly. They can review the results of proper tooth brushing after they brush their teeth with the colorant applied, Then they can feel which parts were not adequately cleaned and how bad your brushing habits were. For the follow-up, we have educated patients on brushing their teeth properly and corrected any mistakes through re-inspection at the next hospital visit.

- I heard that elderly patients need more caution. How are you managing elderly patients?

Usually, each elderly patient seems to have more than one underlying disease. High blood pressure, diabetes, and osteoporosis are typical examples. Once a patient visits a hospital, the medical staff discusses the patient's implant treatment plan based on the underlying disease. After sufficient communication with the relevant medical staff, such as which medications should be discontinued, patients can receive treatment without discomfort.

- I heard that Osteoporosis drugs are particularly problematic. Please clarify the reason.

Osteoporosis indicates weak bones, so patients take drugs that prevent bone loss or occasionally use intravenous injections. However, since these drugs block the bone formation at the starting point, they can ultimately harm the implant. Therefore, patients taking osteoporosis medications must inform their dentists. It is suitable for dentists to determine the appropriate implant treatment time through proper communication with the medical staff treating osteoporosis. This process is vital not only for implants but also for other dental treatments such as tooth extraction.

- Peri-implantitis is one of the most common side effects. How can you detect it?

If there is an unpleasant odor, an unusual taste, or the implant shakes, you should suspect the possibility of it. Unlike natural teeth, implants have several drawbacks, such as a small amount of collagen that can protect the teeth and a lack of periodontal ligaments. Therefore, if you don't break the old bad habit, you might quickly lose the implant. If you have had one or two dental implants, you should improve your oral care habits and receive regular checkups to use the dental implants for a long time.

- How often should I visit the hospital if there is no major problem with the dental implant?

It is usually instructed to visit once a season, about four times a year. We check if there has been any discomfort, and if there are any problems, we treat them in advance. We check if the brushing is well-practiced appropriately, and we are re-educating the mislaid parts.

- If there is an oral care habit you would like to recommend to patients.

First of all, please do not be overconfident in your dental health. Even when you feel you currently do not have any troubles, your teeth will wear out one day, and you may receive a dental implant. Even when you brush your teeth sufficiently, you can still lose teeth. Therefore, it is most important to learn through experience how to brush effectively and practice the correct brushing process. It is also reasonable to have a trusted dentist as your primary care physician and visit the dentist regularly. Even if you haven't had a dental implant, I advise that you visit the dentist once or twice a year to check your oral health.

- Please advise on what criteria patients should use when choosing a dental implant.

In particular, dentists with excessively low-priced marketing should be avoided. A dentist can see a limited number of patients per day. If they do too much work, they are more likely to make mistakes, and it is problematic for them to know which materials to use. There are also dental clinics where the operator changes frequently. It is most pleasing to meet a medical professional who can provide stable, persistent treatment. In addition, some medical staff actively participate in conferences and seminars to share research content. I believe that these professionals will deliver the best care without damaging the reputation they have built over the years.