[Health Column] Why Is Taking Impressions for Implants an Important Process? The Hidden Secrets of Long-Lasting Prosthetics

Do you know that the final stage of an implant is just as important as the surgery itself?

 

 

hello! Lee Hyun-seop, Chief Director of Seoul Centum Dental Clinic I am the director.

 

When it comes to implant treatment, many people tend to consider only the 'surgical process' of simply implanting artificial teeth into the gum bone to be the most important.

 

Of course, a successful implant surgery is very important.

 

However, in order to use the implant stably for a long time without side effects, the procedures performed after surgery Implant impression The process must never be taken lightly either.

 

This is because the impression-taking stage is precisely what makes teeth look natural like real teeth and helps you chew food comfortably. Final prosthesis (crown) This is because it is the core process that determines the form and interlocking of '

 

 

 

1️⃣ What exactly is taking an impression for an implant?

🦷 This is the stage of obtaining design data to create custom artificial teeth that fit perfectly in my mouth.

 

Implant impression taking is a process that accurately records the precise location, angle, depth, and even the shape of the surrounding gums of an implant successfully placed in the jawbone, without the slightest margin of error.

 

 

 

2️⃣ When is the implant impression taken after surgery?

🦷 The artificial tooth firmly attaches to the gum bone Bone fusion process It starts after gum stabilization is complete.

 

Taking impressions is not performed immediately after the surgery is finished. The first step is for the implant to stably settle into the gum bone and firmly bond cellularly and genetically. Bone fusion process You must pass through safely.

 

Afterward, once the wound has healed and the surrounding gums have naturally settled into a stable state, the actual impression-taking process begins.

 

In other words, you can understand this as the stage immediately before the final prosthesis is precisely fabricated and placed, after all the surgery has been completely finished.

 

 

3️⃣ How does the implant impression process proceed?

🦷 It undergoes a detailed process consisting of a total of four steps, from checking the condition of the gums to precision fabrication.

 

🔹 Step 1: Check gum condition

First of all, we carefully check whether the patient's gums are currently stable enough to take an impression.

 

If there is unresolved inflammation or swollen gums, it is difficult to take a precise impression; therefore, if necessary, we will first clean and manage the gums before proceeding.

 

 

🔹 Step 2: Record implant location

To transmit the depth, direction, and angle of the implanted implant to the dental laboratory without the slightest error, a dedicated precision component is attached to the implant to obtain a record.

 

 

🔹 Step 3: Taking an Impression

We use high-precision silicone-based impression materials to create a precise mold of the patient's oral structure.

 

At this time, depending on the patient's condition, the number and location of implants, etc., we select and proceed with the most suitable technique between the open tray method and the closed tray method.

 

 

🔹 Step 4: Fabrication of the prosthesis

 

Based on the precise design data obtained in this way, a specialized dental laboratory begins fabricating custom abutments and crowns.

 

At this stage, the medical team conveys a clear direction for fabrication to the dental laboratory, taking into account the patient's original tooth color, shape, occlusal relationship, and even the aesthetic gum line.

 

 

4️⃣ Why must implant impressions be accurate without the slightest margin of error?

🦷 If the impression is inaccurate, the quality of the prosthesis decreases, leading to a shortened lifespan of the implant.

 

 

📌 Imbalance of chewing force (occlusion abnormality)

If the occlusion of the prosthesis is slightly misaligned, abnormally excessive force will be concentrated on specific areas when chewing food.

 

If this condition persists, the prosthesis may break or the internal screw may loosen, and it will also place a significant burden on the bone surrounding the implant.

 

 

📌 Food impaction and gum inflammation

If the fine boundary shape between the prosthesis and the gum does not fit perfectly, food particles will constantly get trapped in the gap after meals.

 

If debris accumulates repeatedly, it dissolves the bone supporting the implant. Peri-implantitis The risk of occurrence of ' increases sharply.

 

 

📌 Reduced aesthetics (awkward tooth line)

Especially for visible areas like the front teeth, the shape of the teeth must flow naturally with the surrounding gum line.

 

If the impression is not precise, the boundary between the gum and the prosthesis may appear unnatural or look like a dark empty space, resulting in an unsightly appearance.

 

 

 

5️⃣ What is the difference between digital scanning and regular tracing?

🦷 We apply the most optimized recording method tailored to the patient's oral condition and treatment case.

 

Recently, in addition to the traditional method of putting sticky impression material into the mouth and waiting for it to harden, Oral scanner We are using a lot of digital methods that utilize [this].

 

Digital scanning provides a very pleasant and comfortable treatment environment for those who usually experience severe nausea when dental materials enter their mouths or suffer from a foreign body sensation.

 

 

 

 

6️⃣ What are the pre- and post-treatment precautions for the successful completion of the prosthesis?

🦷 Thorough oral hygiene management before and after taking impressions, along with proper eating habits, builds strong teeth.

 

Before and after taking impressions for implants, the key is to keep your gums clean and healthy to prevent swelling.

 

This is because the gum condition must be perfectly stable to obtain the most accurate impression without error.

 

✔️ Please brush your teeth carefully and thoroughly after every meal.

✔️ Please be sure to use dental floss and interdental brushes together to thoroughly clean the gaps between your teeth and gums.

 

 

If you experience any unusual symptoms while using your prosthetics, such as slight discomfort or pain, do not hesitate to contact your dentist immediately for assistance.

 

💬 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. I thought the treatment would be finished once the surgery to implant the bone was successfully completed, but was that not the case?

A1. Yes, that is correct. On top of the firmly implanted structure, 'a perfect fit for the patient's oral structure and occlusion Final custom prosthesis (crown) Only when it is seated without any error can all implant treatments be successfully and safely completed.

 

You must receive precise management right up to the final molding stage to ensure safety.

 

 

Q2. I had a really hard time before when the dentist took impressions because I felt like I was going to throw up. Will it be the same this time?

A2. If you have dental phobia due to the foreign body sensation or nausea characteristic of traditional rubber impression materials, lightly photograph the inside of your mouth with a camera Oral scanner A digital scanning method based on this can be an excellent alternative.

 

However, since applicability may vary depending on the individual's clinical case, please inform us in advance before your appointment so we can provide customized guidance.

 

 

🎯 Conclusion: You must be thorough down to the very last step for your teeth to become truly yours.

Taking impressions for implants is not merely a light rite of passage during the final stages of treatment.

 

This is a critical step that determines the fate of the treatment and must be accurately completed to ensure that the implant I made a big decision to have blends in naturally like my real teeth, allows me to chew food comfortably, and lasts for many years without side effects.

 

Rather than becoming complacent and neglecting care simply because the surgery was successful, we recommend that you receive meticulous care under the guidance of the medical team and undergo regular check-ups until the final prosthesis fits perfectly in your mouth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seoul Centum Dental Clinic
Chief Director Lee Hyun-seop

Specialist in Integrated Dentistry
Graduated from Korea University
Master of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University College of Dentistry
Regular member of the Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Implantology
Regular member of the Korean Endodontic Society
Regular member of the Korean Academy of Integrated Dentistry
Member of the American Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry (AACD)
Member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID)
Full member of the International Congress of Implantologists (ICOI)
Experience in placing over 17,000 implants
Possesses extensive overseas experience visiting over 10 countries
Experience with numerous complex implant cases

 

 

 

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