Instant appeal: the rise of immediate loading for full-arch implant therapies
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 6th March 2023
Modern patients often find the prospect of dentures unappealing, on both a physical and emotional level. Perhaps it is the association with old age that makes the thought of a removable prosthesis so displeasing to some, or the potential for discomfort or slippage, particularly awkward in social situations.
The rise of dental implants, as a popular and accessible treatment modality, has occurred exponentially with the advances in materials and placement techniques. Function is restored as well as aesthetics, as natural as they are beautiful, and the patient will feel as if their smile has been returned to them. To help ensure the implant’s stability, they will be practising elevated daily hygiene, of course, but for the most part will simply forget it’s there.
The development of immediate loading solutions has been welcomed by all those, patients and professionals, who want speed and efficiency as part of their treatment plans. For someone who has lost function and/or aesthetics of several teeth and needs to have them removed and/or replaced, these solutions are ideal. As there is no need to wait for the site to heal, life can get back to normal sooner rather than later. Although attending follow-ups for cleaning and inspection will be crucial to their treatment’s long-term success, they won’t need to pay for separate surgery to deliver their implant months after the extraction or wear a removable denture temporarily. High value, cost-effective… if people know they can spend less, and not compromise the outcome, this is a huge advantage.
Fewer surgical interventions means more comfort too. Even without any prior fear of the dentist, the hardiest of individuals may experience some anxiety about implant therapy. At least with a more time-efficient procedure, any discomfort – which is likely to be mild and manageable anyway – will be over and done with.
It won’t be just your younger implant patients who would choose immediate loading solutions, if this is a viable option for them. Dentists are treating more elderly patients who are dentate, but presenting with problems which are a natural consequence of getting older, such as increased caries and periodontal disease.[i] Years of normal function, mean more wear and tear, along with damage left by the invasive approaches to restorations, like ‘drill-and-fill’, that were popular in the past.
Plenty of older patients will be engaged and motivated in good oral health, they will practise good behaviours and be willing to listen to advice. They will understand the role they have to play in preventing disease, and the overlap between their dental health, general health and wellbeing. They will appreciate how treatment patterns have changed, and be interested in the conservative approaches that protect and preserve the healthy dentition. Just because they are advanced in years, this doesn’t mean they will be any more willing to accept a removeable prosthesis. This is especially relevant if they know there is something else to replace a missing tooth, that is safe, effective and long-lasting.
You may have patients in their 60s, 70s and beyond who feel anything but old, and want to look in the mirror and see the person they know themselves to be. Implant therapy offers a wonderful way to avoid removable dentures and restore their sense of self. To be able to socialise with confidence, including enjoying a meal out without worrying about their dentures – do not underestimate how important such small things are to someone’s quality of life.
For full-arch restorations, the advantage of immediate loading are amplified; an incredible transformation completed in one surgical phase. Function, confidence and aesthetics, restored – immediate fixed full-arch solutions offer life-changing rehabilitation. The ultimate answer if there are several damaged or missing teeth, this treatment should be delivered by a skilled and well-coordinated team, working as one to ensure the patient has an efficient and comfortable procedure. The implant dentist should select innovative high-tech systems, suitable for patients with a variety of clinical needs. The NeoArch® Immediate Fixed Full-Arch Solution from Neodent®, a Straumann Group brand, has revolutionised this area of dental implantology. As well as shorter treatment times, you can use different placement techniques and there are various options of gingival height abutments, also straight and angled abutments, with one connection, regardless of the diameters.
Implant therapy encompasses all the principles of dentistry – such as treatment planning, communication and instructing the patient in elevated hygiene – with cutting-edge innovation and development. Immediate loading protocols allow even those who required full mouth rehabilitation to get back out there and start enjoying life to the full without delay. Choose only the best solutions, that offer flexibility as well as time efficiency, and give patients of all ages access to this transformative, high-quality therapy.
For more information on the Neodent® NeoArch® Immediate Fixed Full-Arch Solution, visit https://www.straumann.com/neodent/gb/en/professionals/treatment-concepts/treatment-solutions/neo-arch.html
[i] Gil-Montoya JA, de Mello AL, Barrios R, Gonzalez-Moles MA, Bravo M. Oral health in the elderly patient and its impact on general well-being: a nonsystematic review. Clin Interv Aging. 2015 Feb 11;10:461-7. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S54630. PMID: 25709420; PMCID: PMC4334280.
