Teknon
Dr. Federico Hernández Alfaro
Dental implants

Dr. Federico Hernández Alfaro,

Maxillofacial surgery

Dental implants
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Orthognatic surgery
Information for professionals

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are small cylindrical posts made of titanium that are inserted in the bone in a simple surgical procedure. They act as the roots of the new teeth. A natural-looking replacement tooth is then attached to the implant.

Teeth in a Single Session

In the early years of the technique, patients had to wait 5 to 8 months for the replacement tooth to be put into place after the implant had been installed. However, in modern practice, new implant surfaces and designs have been developed that help reduce the healing time to an average of 2 months.

Yet there are many cases in which the quality of the bone where the implant will be installed is such that the implant and the replacement tooth can be installed in the same session. This is known as the teeth in a single session concept. The clinical and radiological analysis done at the Institute makes it possible to decide when it is possible to apply this protocol.

New technologies

Advances in clinical and radiological studies have made it possible to optimize quality standards in implantology. At the Institute, we have a latest-generation scanner that enables specialists to carry out radiological studies with maximum precision. These studies are combined with the most advanced computer software that provides virtual simulations of treatment and helps specialists decide on the best position for the implants, based on the quality and quantity of bone in each area of the upper and lower jaws.

What if I don't have enough bone?

Fortunately, the lack or total absence of bone is no longer a problem when it comes to installing implants. Maxillofacial surgery techniques make it possible to regenerate and replace bone in areas where it is lacking so that implants can be installed anywhere.

The Institute’s Preprosthetic Surgery Unit is a pioneering benchmark centre in bone regeneration and reconstruction techniques. The book “Bone Grafting in Oral Implantology”, published by Dr. Hernández Alfaro and his team, describes the most advanced techniques in this field and is used as a reference manual all over the world.

Dr. Hernández Alfaro and his team are the authors of the first clinical study in the world on the use of stem cells for bone regeneration in implantology.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why implants?

When a tooth is lost, the bone where it was anchored gradually begins to disappear. Early placement of an implant can stop this bone-resorption process.

How do implants differ from other solutions?

The problem with the old solutions for lost teeth (bridges, removable devices, etc.) is that they do not stop the loss of bone associated with the loss of a tooth, and they have to be supported by neighbouring teeth, which end up suffering from excess pressure.

How many implants will I need?

Each lost tooth is usually replaced with an implant. However, in some areas of the mouth where the teeth are under less pressure, it is possible to reduce the number of implants.

Does it hurt?

Implant surgery does not hurt because local anaesthesia is used. In cases that are more complex and that take longer, our anaesthesiologists also use sedation techniques.

How should implants be cared for?

Maintenance of implants is similar to the maintenance of normal teeth. After the implants are in place, they require normal daily hygiene by the patient, as well as a check-up once a year by the Institute staff.