Frequently Asked Questions

Dental implant treatment is first planned through an oral examination and radiographic assessment. Where necessary, three-dimensional imaging is used to assess the bone structure, the area where the implant will be placed and the surrounding anatomical structures in detail.

The implant is usually placed in the planned area of the jawbone under local anaesthesia. The biological integration of the implant with the bone, known as osseointegration, is then monitored. Once appropriate healing has taken place, a personalised crown, bridge or prosthesis is prepared for the implant. In some suitable cases, a temporary tooth may also be placed on the implant on the same day or shortly afterwards.

No. It is not always necessary to place a separate implant for every missing tooth. For a single missing tooth, a single crown is usually planned on one implant, while several adjacent missing teeth may be replaced with an implant-supported bridge using an appropriate number of implants.

When all teeth are missing, fixed or removable prostheses supported by a specific number of implants may be planned instead of placing an individual implant for every tooth. For example, All-on-4 & All-on-6 Dental Implants may, in suitable cases, allow an entire jaw to be restored with a fixed restoration supported by fewer implants.

Dental implants can vary according to their design, surface characteristics, diameter and length, as well as the clinical situation in which they will be used. The most commonly used dental implants today are generally screw-shaped implants made from titanium or titanium alloys and placed within the jawbone.

However, implant selection should not be based solely on the brand or type of implant. The bone structure, implant location, planned prosthesis, chewing forces and overall treatment plan should all be considered together.

Dental implant treatment may be suitable for many people whose bone development is complete and whose general health allows for a surgical procedure. However, adequate bone volume and quality, healthy gums, good oral hygiene and appropriate management of systemic conditions that could affect healing are important.

Insufficient bone does not always mean that implant treatment is not possible. In suitable cases, bone augmentation procedures or additional surgical treatments such as a Sinus Lift in the posterior upper jaw may be considered.

During the initial examination, missing teeth, the condition of the existing teeth and gums, the bite relationship and the areas being considered for implant placement are assessed. General health, medications, smoking and previous treatments that may affect implant treatment are also taken into account.

A panoramic X-ray and, where necessary, three-dimensional dental tomography are used to assess the amount of bone, anatomical structures and suitable implant position before creating the treatment plan. Depending on the planned restoration, digital intraoral impressions or other records may also be taken.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Most dental implants used today are made from titanium or titanium alloys.

Once integrated with the bone, the implant provides a stable foundation for a crown, bridge or prosthesis. Dental implants can therefore be used to restore function and aesthetics in situations ranging from a single missing tooth to complete tooth loss across an entire jaw.

Accurate diagnosis, surgical planning and the design of the prosthesis placed on the implant all contribute to the success of implant treatment. An implant should therefore not be considered simply as a screw placed in the jawbone, but as part of a comprehensive treatment involving both surgical and prosthetic stages.

The dentist's experience in implant surgery, accurate assessment of anatomical structures, selection of the appropriate implant position and planning the implant in relation to the future restoration are particularly important. In advanced or multiple-implant cases, digital planning and the restorative approach also play an important role in the functional and aesthetic outcome of treatment.

Dental implant treatment may be considered when one tooth, several teeth or all teeth have been lost. For a single missing tooth, an implant can replace the tooth without requiring treatment of the adjacent healthy teeth. For several missing teeth, implant-supported bridges may be planned, while fixed or removable implant-supported prostheses can be considered for completely edentulous jaws.

Implant treatment may also provide an important alternative for people who have difficulty using removable dentures or who prefer a more fixed solution. The appropriate approach is determined individually following a detailed examination.

The primary aim of implant treatment is to restore the function and aesthetics lost as a result of missing teeth in a way that resembles natural teeth as closely as possible. Implant-supported teeth can help restore chewing function and provide greater comfort during speech and everyday use.

One important advantage when replacing a single missing tooth is that the adjacent healthy teeth do not usually need to be reduced, as may be required with a conventional bridge. Implants can also transfer functional forces to the jawbone, helping to limit bone loss that may occur in the area following tooth loss.

As with any surgical procedure, dental implant treatment involves certain risks. Temporary pain, swelling, bruising or minor bleeding may occur after the procedure. Less commonly, complications such as infection, failure of the implant to integrate adequately with the bone or changes in sensation associated with nearby nerves may occur, depending on the anatomical structures involved.

In the long term, inadequate oral hygiene can lead to inflammation of the tissues around the implant and loss of supporting bone. Smoking, certain systemic conditions and inadequate care may also increase the risk of complications. Detailed assessment and careful planning are important in reducing these risks as far as possible.

Dental implants can be used with fixed or removable restorations to replace missing teeth in situations ranging from a single tooth to an entire jaw. When planned appropriately, they can help improve chewing function, achieve a more natural appearance and increase the stability of removable dentures.

Preserving the adjacent healthy teeth when replacing a single missing tooth is another important advantage. For complete tooth loss, implant-supported fixed teeth using approaches such as All-on-4 & All-on-6 Dental Implants may be considered for suitable patients.

Pain or tenderness, swelling, bruising and minor bleeding may occur for several days after implant surgery. These are among the expected temporary effects of a surgical procedure and usually decrease as healing progresses.

If pain or swelling lasts longer than expected or becomes progressively worse, or if there is persistent bleeding, signs of infection or lasting changes in sensation, the dentist should be contacted.

Implant-supported teeth should be brushed regularly in much the same way as natural teeth. In addition, the areas around the implants and beneath the prosthesis should be cleaned using dental floss, interdental brushes suitable for implants or other products recommended by the dentist.

For multi-unit implant bridges and full-arch fixed restorations in particular, a personalised care method may be needed to clean beneath the prosthesis effectively. Learning the correct cleaning technique after treatment is completed is an important part of maintaining the long-term health of dental implants.

Dental implants themselves cannot develop tooth decay, but the gum and bone tissues surrounding them can be affected by bacterial plaque. Inadequate cleaning can initially cause inflammation of the soft tissues around the implant and, if the condition progresses, may lead to loss of the bone supporting the implant.

Good oral hygiene is therefore one of the key factors in the long-term success of implant treatment. Supporting daily care with regular professional check-ups can help potential problems to be identified at an early stage.

Dental implants may be considered for a single missing tooth, several adjacent missing teeth or cases where an entire jaw has no remaining teeth. Implants can be used to support a single crown, an implant-supported bridge or a full-arch prosthesis.

Implants can also provide additional support for an existing removable denture when it does not have sufficient stability. The most appropriate approach is determined by assessing the bone structure, existing teeth, bite and individual expectations.

It is important to begin implant treatment with the healthiest possible oral environment. Active tooth decay, gum disease and infections within the mouth should be assessed, and any necessary treatment should be planned before implant surgery.

Regular brushing, cleaning between the teeth and bringing existing gum problems under control are important for healing. If you smoke, your dentist's recommendations regarding stopping or reducing smoking should also be taken into consideration.

Older age alone is not necessarily a barrier to dental implant treatment. General health, bone and gum health and the ability to heal following surgery are more important considerations than chronological age.

However, implant treatment is generally postponed in younger people whose jaw and bone development has not yet been completed. For older people, implant treatment may be considered if their health allows for the procedure.

The cost of dental implant treatment is not fixed. The number of implants required, the type of implant-supported restoration, whether treatment involves a single tooth or an entire jaw and whether additional procedures such as bone grafting or a sinus lift are required can all affect the overall cost.

Implant treatment may have a higher initial cost than some conventional alternatives. However, treatment should be assessed not only in terms of the initial cost but also in relation to preserving adjacent teeth, the type and quality of the restoration, maintenance requirements and the long-term treatment plan.

The area is usually numbed with local anaesthesia when the implant is placed, with the aim of preventing pain during the procedure. Once the anaesthetic wears off, some pain or tenderness, swelling and occasionally bruising may occur for a few days.

The level of discomfort varies according to the extent of the procedure and the individual's healing response. In most cases, postoperative symptoms gradually decrease and can be managed using the pain-control measures recommended by the dentist.

Dental implants can remain in use for many years with appropriate planning, successful healing and regular care. However, it is not possible to provide a guaranteed lifespan or lifetime guarantee for every implant.

The long-term success of an implant is influenced by many factors, including oral hygiene, gum and bone health, smoking, general health, chewing forces and regular check-ups. It is also important to remember that while the implant itself may remain healthy, the crown, bridge or prosthesis attached to it may require maintenance, repair or replacement over the years. Long-term studies have shown high survival rates for dental implants.

The cost of implant treatment is not limited to the implant component placed in the jawbone. Examination and imaging, surgical planning, the implant and its connecting components, the surgical procedure, the personalised crown or prosthesis placed on the implant, laboratory work and follow-up appointments all form part of the overall treatment.

In more complex cases requiring digital planning, three-dimensional imaging, specialised surgical procedures or bone augmentation, the treatment cost may vary accordingly. For this reason, the cost of dental implant treatment can be determined more accurately once a personalised treatment plan has been prepared.

Dental implants are not generally subject to the type of 'rejection' associated with organ transplantation. Titanium implants, which are widely used today, are made from biocompatible materials, and the aim is for the implant surface to integrate with the jawbone through a process known as osseointegration.

However, some implants may fail to integrate adequately with the bone for various reasons or may lose surrounding bone support at a later stage. This is different from the body 'rejecting' the implant and may be associated with healing, infection, smoking, mechanical forces or other risk factors.

With good oral care and regular check-ups, dental implants can function for many years. However, it is not appropriate to predict the lifespan of an implant as a specific number of years.

Gum and bone health, daily cleaning, smoking, general health, excessive forces caused by teeth grinding or clenching and the condition of the restoration supported by the implant can all affect the long-term outcome. For people who grind or clench their teeth, it is particularly important to assess the forces placed on the implant and its restoration. Where necessary, protective approaches may be planned as part of Teeth Grinding and Clenching (Bruxism) Treatment.

Dental implants can support single-tooth crowns, bridges replacing several teeth or prostheses covering an entire jaw. Depending on the requirements of the treatment, these restorations may be planned as fixed or removable solutions.

In the front of the mouth, the shape and colour of the tooth, its relationship with the gum and its position within the smile are also important. The surgical position of the implant and the aesthetic and functional design of the tooth placed on it should therefore be planned together. Particularly in visible areas, the treatment plan can be supported by Digital Smile Design to assess how the implant-supported restoration will harmonise with the surrounding teeth.

In suitable clinical conditions, the Fast & Aesthetic® approach may also allow a temporary fixed tooth to be placed on the same day as implant placement or shortly afterwards.

Once implant treatment has been completed, maintaining regular oral hygiene and attending follow-up appointments are particularly important. If you notice bleeding, swelling or tenderness around an implant, an unpleasant taste or odour, movement of the prosthesis or loosening of an implant-supported tooth, you should not delay arranging a dental assessment.

Smoking can negatively affect the long-term health of dental implants. Controlling habits that generate excessive forces, such as teeth grinding and clenching, may also help protect implant-supported restorations. It is important to remember that implants and their prosthetic restorations require regular monitoring and occasional professional maintenance, just like natural teeth.

Dental implant treatment involves more than simply placing an implant surgically. Diagnosis, radiographic assessment, the surgical procedure, the three-dimensional position of the implant, the soft tissues and the prosthesis to be placed on the implant all need to be planned together.

Implant treatment should therefore be carried out by dentists with the appropriate training and clinical experience, with relevant dental specialties working together where required by the individual case. Experience and comprehensive planning become particularly important in cases involving insufficient bone, the sinus region, advanced surgical requirements or full-arch implant rehabilitation. The appropriate approach within Dental Implants and Surgical Procedures can be determined following a detailed examination.

No. As with any surgical treatment, it would not be appropriate to guarantee a 100% success rate for dental implant treatment. However, with appropriate case selection, careful surgical and prosthetic planning and good oral care, dental implants have high success and long-term survival rates.

Many factors can influence success, including bone and gum health, general health, smoking, oral hygiene, implant position, the chewing forces placed on the implant and regular follow-up appointments. In addition to successful integration of the implant with the bone, appropriate planning of the crown or prosthesis placed on the implant is important for the long-term function and aesthetics of the treatment.