Osseointegration is a very important concept when we talk about dental implants, and generates some of the most frequent doubts among our patients: what it is and how it affects them.

In this post we will try to resolve doubts about this topic, and about the relationship between osseointegration and immediate loading implantology.

What is osseointegration?

Very simply, we call osseointegration to the process in which the bone joins or heals with the dental implant, specifically with the titanium root of the implant.

Osseointegration allows the implant to integrate directly, solidly and durably into the jaw bone of the maxilla, which improves functionality and long-term results.

The material used in the osseointegration process is titanium, since due to its characteristics it is a highly biocompatible material and the one that best integrates with the bone. In addition, titanium is light and highly resistant to chemical alteration, thanks to its oxidation layer, which makes it an ideal material to act as the root of the dental implant. There is also another material, zirconium, which has been shown to have similar characteristics of bone integration. But there are still doubts about its evolution over the years, since current studies are not conclusive.

Origins of osseointegration

The osseointegration process was defined in 1952 by Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark, based on his studies on blood circulation. In his experiments, he observed that bone tissue has a strong adhesion capacity to titanium, which led to the design of a fixation for dental implants that, thanks to its screw shape and together with a specific surgical technique, favor this natural osseointegration process. between titanium and bone.

Thus, we can say that osseointegration is a physiological phenomenon necessary for the success of the dental implant. In addition, the knowledge developed in recent years on osseointegration processes has allowed immediate loading implantology to advance significantly.

The phases of an osseointegration process

The osseointegrated dental implant can be placed using immediate loading implantology protocols, and if there is lack of bone, a 3D reconstruction of the maxilla can be performed to perform guided virtual surgery and place the implants safely and predictably where there is bone, no matter how minimal.

First, the titanium root of the implant is placed, which replaces the root of the natural tooth that has been lost. It is possible to place it at the time of extraction of the damaged or missing tooth.
The osseointegration process begins at 24 hours, once the blood clot is established. The reticular material is formed around the implant, which will be mineralized over the days. This usually lasts four to six weeks from when the implant is placed.
The tissue ossifies and adapts to the functional load. This process takes approximately two months.
In a final phase, the bone structure matures and mineralizes correctly; This phase will last between three and four months. It is then that the provisional teeth fixed on the implants are changed for the definitive ones.

From these phases we can deduce that the quality of osseointegration improves over time. In other words, during the first weeks after we placed the implant, there is still no osseointegration. Three months after the placement of the implant, the union between it and the bone has already occurred, which becomes firmer and more resistant after six months.

Factors influencing osseointegration

Osseointegration is a process that, once the implant has been made in the right way and with the right material, follows its natural course as it is a biological process. However, there are several factors that influence the duration and effectiveness of the result. Some depend on the specific bone physiology of each patient, others have to do with the professional and the materials used, and others with our habits and the treatment we follow.

The implant used must have passed long-term clinical studies and guarantee clinical success within the scientifically established standards for each specific case.
The professional who performs the treatment must accredit specific and regulated training to
The surgical technique must be carried out under strict disinfection and sterilization protocols.
In the case of periodontal diseases, these must be fully controlled before proceeding with the implant.
Tobacco has a very negative influence on osseointegration, since it slows down healing and can cause infections in the treated area.
Oral hygiene is essential in anyone, but even more so in patients who have just undergone an implantology procedure, since infections or oral diseases derived from poor hygiene can affect osseointegration.
Some diseases such as diabetes can cause the implants to not integrate properly into the bone. The responsible professional must establish the pertinent protocols.

For the rest, a procedure with advanced technologies, high quality materials and a surgeon with extensive experience in immediate loading implantology interventions can be decisive factors in the success of the implants, and therefore of osseointegration.