Is it worth getting a dental implant? Why are dental implants dangerous?

Indications

At the moment, implantation is the most progressive method of dental restoration. According to international statistics, the reliability and effectiveness of the installed structures is several times higher than the results of long-known orthopedic procedures. But, doctors all over the world strictly warn that dental implantation, like any other operation, cannot be performed without certain indications, which include:

Single dentition defect. With such a diagnosis, doctors simply will not allow healthy teeth located next to the patient to “disappear.”
Limited dental defects. If not one, but several teeth in a row are missing, the dentist will be forced to resort to restoring them using any type of implant.
End defects of the dentition. The absence of final teeth practically excludes the possibility of using classical prosthetic methods, since most of them require “support” in the form of an adjacent tooth to install a prosthesis. Implants can be installed anywhere in the dentition without any problems.
Complete absence of teeth. Such a defect can be included in the list of indications for implantation only if the patient is not mentally prepared to remove the prosthesis from the mouth.
Denture intolerance. Given the complete rejection by the human body of acrylates, which are the basis of removable dentures, installing an implant remains the only way to restore teeth.

The absence of one tooth is a clear indication for implantation

The main advantage of implantation over prosthetics is the absence of the need to grind teeth and remove nerves.

Contraindications

Most people, when deciding to undergo dental implantation, are guided only by their desire, forgetting that this is a full-fledged operation that has both indications and contraindications. The main indications were discussed earlier; now it is worth remembering the groups of contraindications for dental implantation.

Dental implantation has many contraindications

Absolute contraindications

Heart diseases;
disruption of the endocrine system (for example, diabetes);
diseases of the peripheral and central nervous systems;
presence of tumors;
poor blood clotting;
renal failure;
allergy to components of painkillers;
chronic drug addiction or alcoholism.
pathologies of the immune system;
too young age (implants are installed for people over 22 years old);
bone diseases (solved by bone augmentation or sinus lift);
mental disorders (neuroses, schizophrenia, psychosis, dementia, paranoia).

Relative contraindications

They indicate the need to take certain measures in order to eliminate the risk of unsuccessful procedure. This group of contraindications includes:

diseases of the endocrine system;
the presence of other implants in the body;
severe stress;
poor nutrition;
presence of sexually transmitted diseases.

It is worth noting that such contraindications do not exclude the possibility of installing dental implants, but they emphasize the need for certain preparation for the procedure (treatment of chronic diseases, psychological consultations, enhanced nutrition).

Chief physician, orthopedist-implantologist, candidate of medical sciences, chief physician Grigoryan D. G. on contraindications

Local contraindications

They suggest pathologies and diseases of the oral cavity and teeth that require preliminary elimination. Thus, dental implants cannot be installed if the patient:

insufficient bone tissue volume;
increased tooth wear;
malocclusion;
jaw defects;
low level of oral hygiene.

General contraindications

This group consists of prohibitions that can be divided into two parts: those that completely exclude the possibility of installing dental implants and those that can be eliminated over a certain period of time:

intolerance to anesthesia;
diseases of systems and organs that may be affected by implantation;
the use of certain types of medications (for example, antidepressants);
nervous system disorders;
exhaustion of the body;
severe stress;
poor oral health.

Possible complications

To prevent complications after implantation, it is important to monitor oral hygiene and follow the recommendations of your doctor.

Despite the fact that the dental implantation procedure is not a dangerous surgical operation, it can lead to various complications, such as:

Painful syndrome. It should be attributed to a completely normal reaction of the body to the presence of a foreign body. Often, pain appears immediately after the anesthesia wears off and should disappear 3-4 days after the procedure.
Edema. It may appear immediately after implantation and last a few more days. Cold ice can significantly shorten the healing process.
Bleeding. A slight bleeding around the implant for 2-3 days should not cause any concern, as it is a completely understandable reaction of the body to surgery. If blood does not stop oozing on the 4th day, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Heat. It can last 2-3 days without causing discomfort to the patient. However, the presence of an elevated temperature (over 37) for more than 4 days is an anomaly and requires seeking medical help.
Seam divergence. This phenomenon can be considered extremely rare, since during implantation doctors use very strong threads. It may indicate both the onset of inflammatory processes and mechanical damage.
Reimplantitis. This is the name for inflammation of the tissue around the implant, which is a serious complication. It can occur due to infection in the wound around the artificial tooth or a simple failure to comply with hygiene rules.

In most cases, implants do not take root in the human body, not at all due to insufficient qualifications of the doctor, but due to the lack of necessary care for the teeth and oral cavity.

Before going to the dentist, you should carefully study all the indications and contraindications for dental implantation, as well as become familiar with the complications that may arise after the procedure.

Implantation is a very common procedure for inserting an artificial root into the jawbone. This article presents the main indications and classification of contraindications for this operation, and also discusses the complications that can be encountered after its implementation.

Update date: 11/28/2018

Date of publication: 08/01/2012

Education: Institute of Journalism and Television Arts of KiMU, specialty "Journalist"

Like any other operation, dental implantation has indications and contraindications: everyone who is thinking about this method of restoring the dentition should familiarize themselves with them. We must not forget that installing implants is a type of surgery, so it has strict limitations and is not suitable for everyone. Let's look at the main indications and contraindications for implantation.

Indications for dental implantation

Installation of implants followed by loading with prostheses helps restore one or more teeth and even cure complete adentia. Thus, the indications for implantation are the absence of any number of teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Today, this method is the most optimal: a titanium root functionally completely replaces a natural tooth, ensures uniform distribution of the chewing load, prevents the resorption of bone tissue and, as a result, the appearance of problems with the gastrointestinal tract, impaired diction and distortion of facial features. Dentures on implants last longer and look natural.

In a word, the indications for dental implantation are exactly the same as for traditional prosthetics, but the problems will be solved much better.

Dental implants - absolute and relative contraindications

Are dental implants associated with harm and contraindications? Of course, their installation involves surgical intervention, that is, violating the integrity of body tissues. Even for immediate implantation, there are quite a few contraindications, and this technique does not even involve an incision in the gums: the doctor is limited to just a puncture. What can we say about the classic two-stage operation.

Contraindications to dental implantation can be divided into two main categories - absolute, that is, those in which the procedure is impossible in principle, and relative. These include diseases that require special monitoring and attention from a doctor, or temporary conditions of the patient.

Let's take a closer look at the absolute and relative contraindications to implantation.

EXPERT STARTSMILE

Implant surgeon / Moscow

Absolute contraindications to dental implantation

When is implant placement not possible? Experts highlight a list of diseases that are considered absolute contraindications to implantation and any other operations. These are, first of all, severe disruptions to the functioning of the main systems of the body: cardiovascular, nervous (both central and peripheral), endocrine, circulatory.

Here are examples from the list of contraindications for the installation of dental implants:

diabetes mellitus in the decompensated stage
malignant neoplasms (implantation can accelerate tumor growth and spread of metastases)
autoimmune diseases
chronic renal or liver failure
connective tissue diseases
osteoporosis
bruxism and hypertonicity of the masticatory muscles
hemocoagulation (blood clotting) disorders
tuberculosis
mental disorders
chronic alcoholism and drug addiction

Also, a contraindication to implantation is a condition where tissue restoration is impaired. It can occur after a course of chemotherapy, organ transplantation, and also with immunodeficiency. If the patient takes anticoagulants or cytostatics that slow down the development and division of cells, the risk of implant rejection is very high.

Finally, one cannot fail to mention the allergic reaction to local and general anesthesia, which makes any surgical intervention impossible. It is also included in the list of absolute contraindications for dental implants.

Relative (temporary) contraindications to implantation

Unlike absolute contraindications, relative contraindications for dental implantation allow the procedure to be performed under certain conditions. For example, after changing lifestyle, eliminating inflammatory processes, recovering from conditions incompatible with surgical intervention, and the like.

What contraindications for installing dental implants are considered relative? Here are the main ones:

insufficient bone volume
malocclusion
inflammatory processes and neoplasms in the oral cavity (cysts, granulomas)
caries
periodontitis and other gum diseases
poor oral hygiene, tartar
pregnancy and breastfeeding
viral infections
exhaustion of the body, poor nutrition and severe stress
smoking more than one pack of cigarettes per day
engaging in extreme sports that increase the likelihood of injury

Many of the above conditions can be corrected: bone tissue can be built up using a bone grafting procedure, the bite can be corrected with braces, and hard deposits can be removed. It will also be necessary to treat caries and other oral diseases before implantation. In certain conditions, the doctor will require you to adjust your lifestyle by limiting the number of cigarettes you smoke, establishing proper nutrition and reducing physical activity. Pregnant and lactating women should wait until childbirth and the end of lactation.

Among the relative contraindications for the installation of dental implants are a number of diseases that require increased monitoring by doctors, for example, compensated diabetes mellitus.

Age as a contraindication to the installation of dental implants

One of the key contraindications to dental implantation is age. Until the formation of the dental system and bone tissue is completely completed, the operation remains prohibited. This usually happens between the ages of 17 and 22. But there is no upper age threshold for implantation: it all depends on the general condition of the patient.

Is hepatitis a contraindication for dental implantation?

The doctor may refer the patient for additional tests to rule out liver dysfunction and, as a result, blood clotting, but hepatitis is not on the list of contraindications for dental implantation. Of course, we are talking only about the remission stage: in the acute phase, surgery is not allowed.

It should be noted that modern clinics carry out thorough and multi-stage sterilization of instruments, so infection of other patients with hepatitis is excluded.

What are the contraindications after implantation?

Many patients are interested in how the implantation of artificial roots will affect their future life and whether they will encounter contraindications after dental implantation.

So, for the first 2 - 3 months, until the implants stabilize, you will have to avoid active physical activity, hypothermia and overheating (visits to baths and saunas, hardening). But after the implantation of the artificial root, there will be no restrictions in the patient’s lifestyle.

There is a common myth that dental implants are a contraindication for MRI. Indeed, you should not be in a tomograph with metal objects on your body, but titanium, from which most implants are made, is paramagnetic and practically does not react to the action of a magnetic field. The only problem that the patient may encounter is distortion of the image at the site of installation of artificial roots, so before the examination it is necessary to warn the doctor about their presence. Modern equipment allows you to change settings, partially eliminating the error. The implants do not affect the results of examination of other parts of the body.

Losing teeth in an adult leads not only to psychological problems. In such cases, speech is often impaired and gastrointestinal diseases occur. In modern dentistry, there are ample opportunities to help such patients, and one of the options is the installation of dental implants. But many highly qualified doctors claim that this dental operation can be dangerous to health.

Rejection, infection and injury

Like the treatment of almost any disease, dental implants have their side effects. Russian scientist, private associate professor N. N. Znamensky, in his report “Implantation of artificial teeth,” explaining the conditions for installing an implant in the jaw bone, warns that in no case should it react to physiological processes within the bone tissue itself. Mounting a pin may result in its rejection, and there are many such cases. If the patient has a strong enough immune system, then the body may regard the prosthesis as a foreign body, and in this case the implant will not take root; sooner or later it will fall out. Well, if a person’s immunity is reduced, then after the installation of an artificial tooth, purulent infections and inflammation may begin in his jaw. Such complications can certainly be treated, but still, as a consequence, purulent melting of the bone tissue in which the pin is held occurs, and as a result, the artificial tooth falls out.

During the operation to install an artificial tooth, the facial or trigeminal nerve may be damaged, or the wall of the maxillary sinus may be perforated. Treatment of such consequences sometimes takes years. Well, not a single dentist in the world can be one hundred percent sure that this will not happen. After all, each person is unique and the location of his nerve endings inside the body does not vary much, but can still vary. Doctors consider jaw injury to be one of the serious consequences of installing an implant. It can happen if the pin is mounted at the wrong angle or the dentist incorrectly calculated the ratio of its thickness and the stability of the jawbone, or bone grafting was performed incorrectly. Cracks in the jaw heal over time, but any prosthetics in this case are contraindicated.

Constant headaches

Periodontal scientists from the University of Gothenburg, Germany, analyzed the requests of patients with dental implants for medical help in the short term after their operations. Doctors determined that 80% of all their former patients complained of headaches and about 20% indicated constant discomfort in the neck. It turns out that natural teeth in humans have micromobility, and since their nerve endings are located in the periodontium, they react to the load that the tooth experiences during chewing. The jaw muscles receive these signals and periodically relax or are toned, naturally regulating their work. When a person chews food with implants, he does not feel the chewing load and the muscles do not receive signals to regulate their condition. They are constantly in high tone and this leads to endless headaches. German doctors claim that such conditions are leveled out by analgesic drugs, but do not specify how long their patients will now have to take pills daily.

Possible poisoning

Several years ago, doctors at Hankook Hospital in Naju, South Korea, began conducting research on the long-term effects of their patients' existing dentures. The fact is that, depending on the manufacturer, these implants, in addition to chemically pure titanium, also contain other materials, such as zinc, iron, and complex organic polymers. When microparticles of these substances remain in the mouth for many years, they definitely enter the stomach along with saliva. But what effect do these compounds have on health? South Korean researchers suggest that iron and zinc, which have the ability to accumulate in the body, can ultimately cause serious poisoning. But for now, scientific data is only being collected at Hankook Hospital and doctors promise to publish an analysis of their research in the very near future.

Today, implant installation is increasingly used in prosthetics. Dental implants: pros and cons – this is a question that concerns many dental patients. If I install such a structure, is it dangerous for the body? Such issues should be examined in more detail.

Need for recovery

Every person can face the problem of tooth loss. It is very important to restore chewing function as quickly as possible, since if this is not done in a timely manner, changes in appearance and various diseases may begin. Before restoring your teeth, it is important to make the right choice - dental implantation or traditional prosthetics, and consider the pros and cons of these procedures.

It is necessary to restore teeth for the following reasons:

The position of the teeth relative to the neighboring ones changes - the interdental space becomes larger, the teeth can turn around. This entails changes in the function of the temporomandibular joint, and the smile deteriorates.
The bite may change, and pathological abrasion of enamel and dentin appears.
If fangs or sixth molars are lost, there is a danger of the uvula of the soft palate retracting, and this can cause snoring and apnea.
The chewing function is impaired, and disturbances in the functioning of the digestive tract appear.
Defects in diction appear.
The appearance changes - the corners of the lips droop, many facial wrinkles appear.
A person develops psychological problems - shyness, complexes, nervousness, a feeling of inferiority.

Such problems require restoration of the integrity of the dentition. And dental implantation with further prosthetics can help with this. According to reviews from many experts, many patients refuse to install dental implants, choosing traditional prosthetics. This is due to the high cost of the procedure in dental clinics, fear of surgery, and the presence of contraindications to the procedure.

Disadvantages of the operation

Should I get implants or not? First, it’s worth understanding the shortcomings of the procedure. To implant bridges, you need to grind down healthy teeth; after a certain time, they will collapse, and the prosthesis will have to be installed on the next supporting units.

Food particles can penetrate under fixed devices, and this is fraught with the appearance of bad breath and the development of caries of those units that are located under the bridge. Only after removing the denture can treatment of caries begin.

Bone tissue atrophy begins in the place where the lost tooth was previously located. The result is a change in facial features. Hypoxia of the gum tissue may also develop, this is due to the compression exerted by the prosthesis. Prolonged use of the structure can cause severe bone atrophy. It can reach the trigeminal nerve canal, resulting in painful sensations during eating and chewing. Such shortcomings and disadvantages of devices frighten patients.

Arguments for installing the device

Are implants good or bad? Despite the fact that the design has disadvantages and disadvantages, there are also advantages and positive aspects. These include:

Arguments against implants

In addition to a large number of positive aspects, the products also have certain negative aspects:

Implantation of the structure is an operation that is accompanied by pain and possible complications in the postoperative period; problems may arise with the implantation of the device. Compared to some types of prosthetics, the installation of implants is traumatic.
The products are dangerous for complications after surgery. In this case, dental implants cause harm to a person.
There may be contraindications to the installation procedure.
If there is a lack of bone tissue, implantation requires their augmentation.
Long-term osseointegration.
The procedure is expensive, much higher than traditional prosthetics.
After a certain period of time, the structure may need to be replaced, and again you will have to go through all the stages of implantation.

Taking into account all the arguments for and against, each dental patient has the right to independently choose the method of restoring the integrity of the dentition. The presence of indications and contraindications, the patient’s financial capabilities, and the condition of bone tissue and adjacent teeth also play an important role. Bridges are harmful due to the necessary grinding of adjacent units to install the structure. This can cause teeth to decay. Therefore, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of implantation and choose the best option for yourself.

Aesthetic surgery is the only type of medical care that people go to with the expectation of an excellent result. The advertised dental implantation is no exception, because it promises high-quality restoration of aesthetic and chewing functions, and in full.

For people exhausted by the inability to eat normally, this operation became a real dream. But when making a decision, you should keep in mind that implantation is not just a surgical intervention, but the installation of an artificial tooth replacement. The body is not always able to accept a foreign body, which is why implants are dangerous.

Unpleasant consequences may be associated with:

risks during the operation itself;
possible complications during the rehabilitation period.

Dental implants and specialist qualifications

The main threat during the operation may lie in the specialist’s insufficient training and his making wrong decisions, which lead to damage to the jaw bones and facial nerve. An implant installed at the wrong angle can injure the maxillary sinus, which will serve as a trigger for an inflammatory reaction in it. For post-Soviet countries, prosthetics on implants is a new thing, so there are not so many dentists with sufficient qualifications and experience.

In addition, any surgical intervention is stressful for the body. Unpleasant moments may occur, such as an inadequate reaction to anesthesia or spikes in blood pressure.

Postoperative danger

The rehabilitation process is a period during which the body adapts to new conditions. But, despite the use of absolutely inert titanium alloys, the body’s reactions can be not only adaptive, but also protective.

There is a possibility of implant rejection with accompanying inflammation at the site of its contact with living tissue.
With classical implantation, about 5% of postoperative complications are associated with disturbances in the processes of osteogeneration - bone tissue transplanted from other parts of the jaw does not take root. The result is increased stress on the implant and its loosening.
Long-term absence of teeth often causes degeneration and poor quality of bone tissue. In this case, implants can penetrate into the maxillary sinus and create the preconditions for the development of inflammation in it.
Despite the use of antiseptic drugs, the possibility of bacteria entering the surgical wound should not be ruled out. Lack of hygiene can also contribute to this - the infectious process develops quite rapidly, and can cover the gum along its entire length.

It is almost impossible to prevent the processes of rejection or penetration of implants into the maxillary sinus, but to minimize the risk, tests and radiography of the upper jaw should be performed before surgery. Based on the information received, a qualified specialist will always be able to draw conclusions and select the most suitable prosthetic options.

One of the solutions for dystrophy and small thickness of the upper jaw is basal prosthetics, in which the implant is fixed not to the socket, but to the base of the bone. At the same time, the processes of tissue regeneration are enhanced, and the entry of the metal structure into the sinuses is completely eliminated.

Are implants dangerous in the long term?

One of the significant disadvantages of a titanium screw embedded in the jaw is the inability to transfer pressure to the muscles. In this regard, the chewing muscles of the face with several implants located nearby remain in good shape for a long time. Overexertion causes headaches and increased intracranial pressure.
According to dentists, dental implants can last for decades, because over time they are firmly fixed in the bone. Meanwhile, the possibility of penetration of prosthetic materials into the body has been poorly studied. The titanium itself, from which screws for prosthetics are made, is chemically inert, but when forming a crown, other compounds are also used, particles of which can penetrate the body.

When considering the long-term prospects of wearing implants, one fact that is often overlooked is the hassle of undergoing modern diagnostic procedures. Thus, the presence of a titanium screw is a contraindication to MRI, the most informative research method. Therefore, the patient has to choose other, less accurate options or endure pain in the gums throughout the magnetic scan.

Despite all the possible complications, dental implantation is the best solution for dental prosthetics. The maximum proximity to natural teeth and the absence of the need for special care have made implants truly the best solution for those who, for many reasons, have lost their own teeth.