Implants are the best available alternatives providing the comfort, function and aesthetic of natural teeth. Bone resorption, which is one of the important problems that arise after removal of a tooth, can only be halted successfully through implants. Not only do implants provide better speech and chewing functions compared with traditional crowns and prostheses, but they also give a natural look to your smile and face.

At present, implants are the most important breakthrough achieved in dentistry in the last century. When performed with sufficient knowledge and experience, dental implant therapy constitutes an excellent alternative with extremely high success rates for tooth loss.

What is an implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth, restoring the function and aesthetic of missing teeth.

Is treatment with implants safe and long lasting ?
Implant therapy is completely safe, if carried out by specialized dentists. Implant restorations are very satisfactory treatment modality, implant treatment can currently achieve success rates as high as 98 %. In many cases implants can last problem-free as long as 30 years. Implants are now considered to be as long lasting as natural teeth. Especially in patients above 35 to 40 years of age, implants last longer than natural teeth that underwent filling and root canal treatment. Consequently, implants can be used life-long. Detailed information on this subject will be provided to you by your dentist.

Can implants be placed in all cases ?
Implants can be placed in almost every patient with missing teeth, be it a single tooth or a whole mouth.

Who are ideal candidates for dental implants ?
Implants are placed in the jaw bone therefore, certain thickness and width of the bone is needed. However, experienced dentists plan and place implants strong enough so that chewing efficiently will be possible. The quality of the existing bone also determines how quick a prosthesis can be fitted onto the implant. As long as patient’s general health is good, there is no upper age limit to hinder the placement of implants.

Is there any pain or discomfort during and after the placement of implants?
No, if proper anesthesia is given. Minor pains occurring in the same day can easily be relieved using simple analgesics. Most patients report that there is very little pain following the procedure, no more than that associated with a tooth extraction.

Can my prostheses be fitted immediately after the placement of the implant?
Yes and no. It depends on the quality of bone in which the implant is anchored, as well as on the implant site and your denture type. However, your doctor could fit a temporary prosthesis to provide chewing function and esthetics during this period.

How long does the entire therapy last?
You will be required to come to 3-5 visits from the first examination on until the end of the treatment. The average number of visits or sessions varies depending on the characteristics of the work being done. The therapy is completed within 1 to 2 weeks on the average, whereas it may require 2 to 5 months with a weak bone structure.

Is the cleaning of implants important?
Yes it is. The implants need to be cleaned by brushing just as your natural teeth do. You should not forget to maintain good oral health care.

What kind of prostheses is fitted onto the implants?
Both fixed porcelain crowns and dentures that can be removed by the patient, may be fixed onto the implants. Your dentist will plan and decide what is suitable for you and report his decision before the treatment begins.

Is “one” implant necessary for each missing tooth?
No. Each implant can usually support 3 or more teeth. However, in case of multiple missing teeth, especially in the back regions of the jaw, total number of implants should be increased in order to fit a fixed prosthesis. Occasionally, total number of implants is increased further to halt bone resorption, as the placement of implants achieves such a protective effect.

Is implant therapy expensive?
Yes it is. The reason of high cost of implant therapy is that all materials used are state-of-the-art end-products. How complex and extensive the implant therapy will be, depends on patients’ tooth health and individual needs. Consequently, an implant therapy could amount to a big investment. However, proper implant treatment planning can reduce the total treatment expence.

What advantages does the implant therapy provide in selected cases?
Totally edentulous patients with total dentures:
These patients complain of continuous pain and of not being able to chew well. Implant therapy in such patients resolves all these complaints and halts bone resorption as well.

Partially edentulous patients in the upper or lower jaws:These patients complain about unaesthetic appearance of a mobile prosthesis attached with wire hooks, or in case of a bridge, the requirement of cutting down of neighboring teeth. Implant prostheses eliminate both situations.

Patients with a single missing teeth: In these patients at least two healthy neighboring teeth must be cut down in order to restore single missing teeth.The placement of a single implant saves two teeth from being cut down for bridges.

What are the advantages of implant therapy?
Better chewing function – eating what one wants to eat
Better aesthetic appearance
A happier social life with regained self-confidence
A healthier and more balanced diet thanks to capability of eating everything
Stopping the unavoidable bone resorption that follows a tooth loss

Does a risk of rejection by the body exist?
Implants are made from titanium, which has no side effects on the human organism and has been subject to extensive studies for years. It was reported in 1982 that titanium is able to completely integrate with bone. There are no reported cases of implant-related rejection due to antibody formation against titanium, such as that seen in heart and kidney transplantation.

Can the success of an implant therapy be guaranteed?
Many companies give lifelong warranties against the damages of implants such as breaking etc...