Front Tooth Implant

Features of Front Tooth Implantation

Key aspects of implantation in the frontal area:

• Beautiful gum contour. After implant placement, the gum may heal unevenly. To ensure a uniform mucosal contour with adjacent teeth, a temporary crown is fixed immediately after implantation. It helps maintain the shape of the gum and aesthetics.
• Proper selection of the implant and crown. The implant should not be visible under the gum and crown. The color of the prosthesis should match the color of the natural enamel.
• Installation of a temporary crown. The temporary crown not only forms the gum contour but also restores the aesthetics of the smile. Without it, the implant remains unloaded, and the absence of a tooth becomes noticeable in the frontal area of the smile.

Indications

• Fracture or significant crack in the tooth root;
• Need to remove a front tooth;
• Absence of an incisor or canine;
• Loss of all front teeth.

Methods of Front Teeth Implantation

• Missing one tooth. The dentist performs the implantation and places a crown on the artificial root. This method does not harm adjacent teeth and prevents bone atrophy.
• Missing three to four teeth. In this case, it is less traumatic to place two implants and attach a bridge prosthesis with three to four crowns. The outer crowns are placed on artificial roots, while the middle crowns are suspended. Artificial roots provide high stability and distribute the chewing load properly.
• Missing all front teeth. Installing a long bridge prosthesis on two implants is unreliable. If 4-6 teeth are missing, the dentist places 3-4 artificial roots and attaches one or two shorter bridge prostheses.

In case of complete tooth loss, the dentist can fully restore the entire dental row in one procedure following the All-on-4/6 protocol. The specialist places 4-6 implants and attaches a complete prosthesis with 12-14 crowns.

Stages of Implantation

Contraindications

1. Relative Contraindications

Implantation should be postponed in cases of:

• Gum inflammation, exacerbation of an infection;
• Bite disorders;
• Age under 18 years;
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding;
• Bruxism (increased tone of the masticatory muscles, teeth grinding);
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus;
• Undergoing radiation or chemotherapy.

2. Absolute Contraindications

Implantation is not possible in cases of:

• Blood coagulation disorders (coagulopathy);
• Bone diseases (osteoporosis);
• Cardiovascular diseases, presence of a pacemaker.

Indications for Bone Grafting

Bone grafting before implant placement in the upper jaw is necessary in cases of significant bone deficiency – when it is impossible to securely anchor the implant in the jaw.

Which Prostheses Are Suitable for Implants in the Smile Zone?

The main requirement for crowns in the frontal smile zone is aesthetics. The prosthesis should visually match the adjacent teeth. Most suitable are:

• E-max Ceramic. A pressed, sturdy material. Crowns made of this ceramic have a natural shade and slight transparency. For their fixation, a zirconium abutment is best suited, which is not visible under the prosthesis.
• Zirconium. A robust and durable material, whose natural appearance is achieved with ceramic veneering.

Metal-ceramic crowns are less suitable. They are less robust and look less natural. The dark metal can show through the ceramic and over time may cause the gum to turn a bluish color due to oxidation.

Post-Implantation Care

In the first week:

• Change your diet. For the first 2-3 hours after implantation (while the anesthesia is effective), it's better to avoid eating. Afterwards, until the completion of osseointegration, prefer soft food and avoid extreme temperatures (hot or very cold).
• Gently clean the oral cavity. Especially around the placed artificial root. Avoid using a toothbrush, use mouth rinses: hold an antiseptic solution in your mouth, then spit it out.
• Apply cold compresses. Apply something cold to the implantation area for 10-15 minutes. In the first 1-2 days every hour, then several times a day. Cold compresses help reduce swelling.

During the osseointegration period (3-6 months):

• Use a soft toothbrush. Avoid toothpastes with abrasives that can damage the gum and the surface of the crown.
• Avoid situations that can increase pressure. Air travel, stress, alcohol consumption, high temperatures, scuba diving, intense physical activity. Increased pressure can lead to bleeding.
• Reduce smoking or decrease the number of cigarettes. Hot cigarette smoke can cause micro burns on the mucosa. This can also trigger bleeding and slow down healing.