Dental Implants

A dental implant is an alternative to a missing tooth root. It can fully and functionally replace a missing tooth. The lifespan of an implant can last for decades, making it a permanent, highly functional, and aesthetic solution for the patient’s full satisfaction. The method of dental implant placement has been used in modern dentistry for more than 30 years.

What is a dental implant?

You can think of a dental implant as a small “screw” that is placed in the jaw instead of the missing root of the original tooth. After the implant heals, it acts as an artificial root to which a crown, bridge, or full denture can be attached.

Benefits of an implant

A dental implant is an aesthetic, durable, and comfortable solution for the permanent loss of a tooth root. Thanks to the implant, the patient can avoid a removable prosthesis. An implant can also serve as a support for a bridge or denture.

What material is the implant made of?

Dental implants are made of titanium or a titanium-zirconia alloy and come with different surface treatments. For implants with an active bio-surface that reduces healing time by half, the success rate is over 99 percent. With less expensive materials, the success rate reaches 97 to 98 percent.

Why is a titanium dental implant the best option?

Titanium is a pure metal commonly used in medicine. It does not cause any reactions in the patient’s body and is biologically compatible. In addition, it is very resistant and strong against the forces created during chewing. It is taste-neutral for the patient, so there is no metallic aftertaste in the mouth. No allergic reactions to titanium have ever been described. Healing of a titanium implant in the bone takes 6 to 8 weeks. With other types of implants, the healing time may be extended to 6 to 24 weeks.

The process of placing a dental implant

Implant placement is performed based on an X-ray or CT examination, which shows the condition of the bone and surrounding tissues. If there is enough high-quality bone present, we can place the implant into the jawbone immediately, and a temporary crown can be made. If bone is missing, it is necessary to place a bone graft first. The implant is then inserted after the graft has healed.

At StyleDent clinics, we routinely place dental implants under local anesthesia, so the procedure is generally completely painless.

What affects the healing process after dental implant placement?

  • The patient must strictly follow high-quality oral hygiene principles without exception
  • The healing process may be disrupted by microorganisms in the mouth due to inflammation or untreated cavities
  • The success of healing may be negatively affected by heavy smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, or generally poorer overall health
  • We do not recommend dental implant placement at all in patients with hematological or immunological diseases
  • Pain after the procedure usually lasts 1–2 days. The dentist will recommend suitable analgesics.
  • After the procedure, apply cold dry compresses (for example gel packs)
  • For 1–3 days after treatment, the patient should consume only lukewarm soft foods and drinks and should not rinse the oral cavity
  • For the first 3 days, we do not recommend consuming hot foods or drinks due to the possible increased risk of bleeding
  • It is essential to follow the instructions of the treating dentist and contact them immediately in case of complications.

Risk of complications

Dental implant placement may carry certain risks, such as allergy to medication, anesthesia, or infection introduced into the wound. In a small percentage of patients, the implant may fail to heal properly, or it may loosen in the bone after several years. We encourage patients to contribute to the long-term and effective success of their tooth replacement through high-quality care and excellent oral hygiene.