Confi-Dents implants in one dental visit

Did you know that missing teeth can be replaced in just one day? Major advances in dental implant technology mean you can have fully functioning teeth attached in just one trip to the dentist’s chair.

This article explains the different types of dental implants available and what happens during a quick-fitting dental implantation that ultimately leaves you with the perfect smile.

Are there different implant systems used for same day implants?

The concept of same day implants (known as Teeth in a Day) has been around for at least a couple of decades. There are several schools of thought such as the All-on-4, which was developed by Dr Paulo Malo in Lisbon, and then there is the carbon fibre bridge that was developed by Dr Tizeano Tealdo in Milan. Each proponent seems to think their system is best.

How did you choose an immediate dental implant system to use in your clinic?

What I looked for in an immediate implant system is one that is:

• reliable and strong
• predictable
• can be used in almost all situations
• functional
• aesthetically-pleasing
• can be repaired easily
• does not need to be replaced later with a definitive final prosthesis
• financially acceptable

This was when I discovered the original Arton system, which is now called Confi-Dents. It was designed by a group of German dental technicians.

How do Confi-Dents work?

The system is based on a titanium framework, on which most definitive structures are based, which makes it reliable, strong and predictable.

The implant teeth are made of composite, so they are hard wearing and look very aesthetically pleasing. As they are made of composite, they can be repaired easily in the dental chair without the need to send them back to the laboratory. This is a very good feature as the patient never has to be without teeth, even after a mishap. Most other immediate bridges need to go back to the laboratory for any repairs!

What happens during the process of fitting Confi-Dents?

In short, when you decide to go the Confi-Dents route, we need some information like a relevant medical history and dental examination followed by a CBCT scan of the jaw, as well as photos and study models.

The technician then uses this information to design the prostheses to deliver optimum function, strength and aesthetics, so in essence a "Smile Design”!

The next visit is the surgical procedure where the teeth are removed, bone grafts are done where required, and the implants are placed. The procedure usually takes around two hours per jaw.

How do you determine how many implants are required?

Once the required number of implants are placed, the impressions are taken for the dental technician to take over and manufacture the bridge. The number of implants required is usually dictated by:

• aesthetic requirements
• the patient's age and physique
• dental habits, like grinding or clenching
• amount of available bone
• opposing dentition, for example, if a patient had all their lower teeth present then the opposing structure would need to have enough implants to withstand the chewing forces

How long does it take to fit the dental implants?

The procedure to build a new smile takes around six hours, whilst the technician is doing his job. The patient is released and asked to return the following day for the fitting of the new bridge. As part of the post-operative care, a cocktail of antibiotics, prednisone and anti-inflammatory tablets are given.

The next day the bridge is fitted and everything is checked to make sure that aesthetics, function and fit are all perfect. Implant dentistry treatments can only be right, and if not they cannot be fitted in the mouth until they are right. Before the final fitting, the patient is asked to approve everything, and this is a big reason I like to do it on the following day - in case a patient needed sedation and could not make an informed opinion. The anaesthetic has also worn off, so lip position is not affected.

Does the price of treatment differ abroad?

The best of all about the Confi-Dents system is that the price for treatment is the same throughout Europe, so you would pay the same in the UK, Spain and Germany, thus negating the need to go to countries that offer dental tourism packages!