A dental implant is an artificial root that is placed in the jawbone. Its shape is like that of a metal screw, while its material is titanium. The properties of titanium are such that the body accepts it, and so well in fact that not much is needed to support all the missing teeth.
Almost yes. Someone, of course, who could withstand a tooth extraction or an intraoral operation. There needs to be a healthy gum condition and good quality and quantity of bone.
Heavy smoking should be reduced, and if there is a history of radiation therapy or heart disease, it should be evaluated on an individual level.
Diabetes mellitus must also be taken into account...
Usually, yes. This, of course, depends on the quality of the bone remaining in the position of the lost teeth. There are tests that will help the Dentist ascertain the situation. In case of an actual lack of bone, grafts should be used. Naturally, the anatomical data, as well as the functional and aesthetic needs of the patient, must be examined. A good medical history is also essential.
This is the most common question: if and when to use a fixed (permanent) bridge or an implant for the replacement of one or more teeth when they have been lost. If, for example, a molar is lost, then to replace it with a bridge, the Dentist would have to grind down the two adjacent teeth. That is, the one before and the one after, so that two crowns can be constructed on these two teeth which will hold the bridge unit that will be in the place of the missing one. If the Dentist were to place an implant, it would go into the place of the missing tooth, and a crown would be supported on it. Of course, with an implant, the adjacent teeth do not need to be ground down, and in addition to the lost tooth, the lost root is also replaced. Depending on the Dentist's experience, one plan or the other is suggested as more advantageous. I would prefer to place an implant and place a crown on it. The longevity in this case will only have to do with the implant itself. In the case of a bridge, future damage to an abutment would multiply the tooth losses, resulting in other teeth having to be ground down, etc.The cost for one option or the other is similar, with the implant option usually being more expensive, and it differs from practice to practice. For the cost of implants in our practice, you can click the link 'Implant Cost'. The price of the implant with its surgical placement is set at 350 Euros with details for all individual services...
The process of placing an implant is a relatively simple procedure (by Dentists who have experience) and is done with the help of local anesthesia.
Nitrous Oxide ('laughing gas') was recently legalized as a means of anesthesia for patients with phobias, anxiety, etc., for use in the Dental Practice. With this method, the patient overcomes even the anxiety of the needle. Our practice is among the first to hold the special certification for the use of Nitrous Oxide.
There is no pain during the placement since the area is anesthetized. When the effect of the anesthesia wears off after three or four hours, there is a slight discomfort which is overcome with a simple painkiller. In any case, every organism reacts differently to both pain and swelling. Usually, however, no problems are observed that cannot be resolved within a few days. The experienced Dentist will inform you accordingly immediately after the procedure and will guide you so that any rare incidents can be addressed in time. We will give you both pre-operative and post-operative written instructions for both the prevention and management of any incidents.
Every patient who has lost one or more teeth can receive an implant. The basic prerequisites are the absence of uncontrolled diabetes, alcoholism, especially when combined with excessive smoking, and certain medications that should be stopped for a few days before the implantation. The more bone there is in the place of the lost teeth, the simpler the procedure becomes. The more experienced the Dentist is, the easier they can create the necessary conditions even when bone is absent.
The success rates are very good. With the improvement of implants, technique, and experience, the rates exceed 95%. Although bone quality differs from person to person, just as bone density differs between the upper and lower jaw, in our practice the success rates exceed 98%. Of course, the two percent, although it is one of the smallest percentages in medical practice, should not be ignored and must be explained by the dentist.
Placement in the practice is basically done with local anesthesia. The patient feels no pain at all. For cases requiring Nitrous Oxide administration or general anesthesia, we can certainly accommodate you. After the surgery, paracetamol is usually sufficient. Rarely will there be a need to take anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen), which we do not even recommend. The duration of the placement depends on the number of implants and the anatomy of the bone. It ranges from 20 minutes to 2 hours.
The Dentist must have a good knowledge of the regional anatomy (thickness and resistance of the mucosa, bone trajectory, etc.), the position of the inferior alveolar nerve, the sinus, and the nasal cavity. Complications usually occur in the rare case (less than 2% in our practice) when the body does not accept the implant or when the prosthesis on top of the implant presents a problem. In the first case, the implant must be removed. The bone then heals just as it would after a tooth extraction. The second case (prosthetic issue) must be diagnosed in time and is treatable.
In rare cases, an implant may fail or, as it is simply put, be rejected. In these cases, there is usually slight inflammation around it, which is visually manifested by a more intense red color of the gums and slight swelling. The bone around it thins, and the implant begins to move. The process is usually accompanied by a slight discomfort. Symptoms of inflammation can be treated if they are caught early. However, if the implant starts to move, it must be removed. The removal process is simple, fast, and painless. Depending on the case, a larger implant than the original size can be placed after removal. Failure rates are around 2-5% (less than 2% in our practice) and usually occur in individuals with reduced immune system capacity and in people with alcohol addiction who are also heavy smokers. Knowledge of modern implantology, correct diagnosis, the appropriate treatment plan, and the proficiency and experience of the Dentist minimize unpleasant surprises...
The question is, of course, whom you go to when you need to replace one or more lost teeth. The answer, of course, is that you should trust your Dentist, whom you have chosen because they are up-to-date with the modern developments in their science, are experienced, and certainly place implants. A Dentist who deals with oral surgery, has received postgraduate training in periodontology and prosthetics, is certainly more qualified and capable in diagnosis and treatment. All statistics show that the experienced Dentist, the one who has been practicing for more years and has treated more cases, has better success rates. Of course, the trust they inspire in you, their satisfied patients, and their reputation also play a role in the choice...
No, it is not. It is, however, based on prosthetics, oral and sinus surgery, anatomy, periodontology, and aesthetic dentistry. The Dentist's exclusive occupation with implantology, the preparation of scientific studies, a doctoral dissertation, etc., help in the better management of cases through the experience gained.
People understand the advantages of placing implants, and through the already positive experiences of patients who received implants, they have been convinced of their usefulness, longevity, and the simplicity of the procedure. Of course, the reduction in waiting time for prosthetic restoration also played a large role, as did the decrease in cost through the competition among hundreds of companies.
The initial protocol required a waiting period between the first and second phase. Six months for the upper jaw and four for the lower. With the evolution of technology, these times have been reduced. In our practice, the average waiting time is less than 2 months. During this period, temporary restorations are, of course, placed so that the patient has the necessary aesthetic and functional coverage. In certain cases, the immediate construction of the permanent prosthetic work is decided, which means that immediately after the implant placement, we begin the process of constructing the prosthetic restoration. In this case, when the patient's age and anatomical conditions are favorable, the implant can be placed, and indeed simultaneously with the tooth extraction, and measurements can be taken. The waiting time in this case is less than 24 hours.
No, the patient does not remain without teeth. Depending on the case, if the treatment is decided to be done in two phases, then a temporary prosthetic work is constructed which will be replaced by the permanent one after the healing period (two months). If the case is characterized as immediate, then the process of prosthetic restoration begins immediately after implantation. In any case, soft foods are always recommended for the first few days.
During the placement of the implant, there is sometimes the need for additional bone placement for the better course of the treatment. The best result is provided by the patient's own bone. In our practice, this is a very common procedure that is also simple. During the preparation of the cavity for the implant placement, there is a filter in the suction device which retains the bone that is cut away. We reuse this bone from the same patient where it is needed. When there is a need for a larger amount of bone, we use either the patient's own bone or synthetic, bovine, or human bone. These grafts can be in the form of thin blocks or granules and are collected from specific locations in the jaw (chin, external oblique ridge, maxillary tuberosity, etc.). When grafts are block-type, they are secured with osteosynthesis screws, or when they are granule-type, they are secured with a collagen or titanium membrane which can also be stabilized with pins. Synthetic bone does not give as good results as bovine or human bone. The latter two are completely tested and prepared in such a way that it is impossible for them to cause any harm to the patient.
On the posterior side of the upper jaw after the loss of our teeth, the jawbone is absorbed because it no longer serves a purpose there (supporting the teeth), while at the same time the sinus expands (pneumatization). There is, therefore, often a need to create bone so that an implant can be placed if the prosthetic study requires it. There are two main methods for the lift: the internal and the lateral. The internal is done when the remaining bone is approximately 7 millimeters. In this method, with the help of a bone condenser, the bone located on the sinus floor is carefully pushed upwards, also moving the floor membrane, creating an extra length of 3 millimeters which is filled with a graft. In the lateral lift, after the mucosa on the sides of the jaw is raised, a window-type area is drilled down to the sinus membrane, which is then lifted with special instruments. A graft is placed in the space under the membrane, and a collagen or titanium membrane is placed in the window area, and the mucosa is repositioned. The lateral lift requires serious training and experience.
Alternatives to avoid a sinus lift are the use of short implants (<8mm), 'Versah' osseodensification burs, etc.
The evolution of implantology aims at better patient treatment, which includes faster restoration times. In cases where certain prerequisites exist, such as the quality and quantity of bone, the possibilities for immediate prosthetic restoration exist. However, the delayed restoration method is safer. Both methods are used in our practice. Yes, there is therefore the possibility for the patient to be finished even with the prosthetic restoration within one day. When there is no active inflammation or pus discharge from the tooth to be extracted, when there is sufficient bone volume and density, when there is no severe bruxism, etc.—that is, after a careful study of the diagnostic data—then yes, we are talking about teeth implants in one day.
If the immediate restoration method is chosen, the entire process, including the prosthetics, lasts 2 to 3 working days. Therefore, after 2–3 days you can travel.
If the delayed restoration method is chosen, we encourage patients to continue their normal activities. Usually, the day after the operation is the one that might present some symptoms, without this meaning that the patient must stay home.
We also urge the patient to see us after 14 days.
After that, the prosthetic stage follows in a month and a half, which lasts 3–5 working days. In between, the patient can certainly do whatever activity they want, always wearing the temporary restoration we will have made for them.
Dental implants improve appearance because they look and feel like our own teeth.
NO, of course not! There is a long history of high success for modern implants spanning over 45 years, and an even longer history of using dental implants. Although no medical procedure reaches 100% success, modern technology ranks dental implants among the highest success rates in the hands of a well-trained and experienced Dentist. Dental implants are now certified by organizations such as the FDA and the ADA, which are among the strictest international organizations.
It is true that root-canaled teeth break more easily. In the past, the remainder of the tooth was removed, the adjacent teeth were unfortunately ground down, and a bridge was constructed. Now with the implant, we do not destroy other teeth, and at the same time, we have a root that we can use as a support in the future.
