Dental implants : restoring a missing tooth

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Extract from the article: An implant is a type of titanium screw, fixed in the bone like the root of a natural tooth. According to Dr Georges Tokofai, President of the Ordre National des Chirurgiens-Dentistes du Togo (ONCDT) and Director of the Centre Dentaire International d

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An implant is a type of titanium screw, fixed in the bone like the root of a natural tooth. According to Dr Georges Tokofai, President of the Ordre National des Chirurgiens-Dentistes du Togo (ONCDT) and Director of the Centre Dentaire International de Lome (CDIL), « the implant allows the missing tooth to be replaced without affecting the other teeth. This is why the practitioner adapts the length, diameter and shape to the clinical case using a high-performance radiological examination: 3D or scanner ».

The implant protocol

First of all, the practitioner must gain access to the bone, freeing the gum. To do this, he makes an incision using a scalpel, then removes the gum to give a clear view of the operating field. Today, 3D scanners that reproduce the precise anatomy of the jawbone on a computer allow much less invasive surgery in common cases (the so-called « flapless » technique).

« Implantology is an essential breakthrough that has improved the lives of thousands of patients. In fact, it is often the optimal solution because : it avoids the needless sacrifice of healthy teeth, it is the only way to avoid a removable prosthesis, the patient regains the comfort of original teeth and therefore an incomparable quality of life - the aesthetics are optimal, it avoids the bone loss associated with the extraction of a tooth », explains Dr Georges Tokofai, President of the ONCDT.

Clearly, a dental implant is the optimum solution if one or more teeth are missing. This means that almost everyone can benefit from a replacement solution for their teeth, with an appearance and function identical to those of a natural tooth. « However, it is important to have fully developed bone tissue beforehand.This explains why dental implants are not normally fitted to people under the age of 18 », explains Dr Georges Tokofai.

How do we proceed?

Dr Georges Tokofai explains that the implantologist will use drills of the appropriate diameter to prepare the space in the bone. « The implant penetrates the bone with slight force. This stabilises it.Once the implant has been placed, the osseointegration phase takes place.Unlike the tooth, the implant is completely fixed, i.e. ankylosed in the bone.The loading of the implant is generally deferred to allow for the osseointegration phase (from several weeks to several months). A crown will then be placed on the implant, which will act like an artificial root », explains the dental surgeon.The "SOS DENTISTE" dental practice is the first to introduce implantology in Togo.After several training courses, notably in France, the first implant was placed in Togo by Dr Georges Tokofai on 21 January 2009. To ensure the safety of this particular surgery, a surgical clean room (surgical block) is specially reserved for him within the practice.

William O.