A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium that is placed in the jawbone to replace teeth lost for various reasons. It is suitable for people in good general health whose jawbone development is complete and who have sufficient bone volume. Once it fuses with the bone, a porcelain or zirconia prosthesis is fitted on top.
- Suitable for people whose jawbone development is complete, generally aged 18 and over.
- The titanium screw is placed in the jawbone under local anaesthesia.
- After fusion with the bone, a porcelain or zirconia prosthesis is fitted.
- If bone is insufficient, bone graft applications can prepare the site.
- For the first 24 hours, avoid rinsing the mouth and spitting.
Today, the dental implant – one of the most modern and permanent methods of replacing missing teeth – delivers the result closest to a natural tooth, both aesthetically and functionally. In this article, we have compiled answers to common questions about this method, which is frequently preferred when it comes to smile design and oral health.
What Is a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium that are placed in the jawbone to replace teeth lost for various reasons. Because titanium is highly compatible with body tissues (biocompatibility), the bone does not perceive it as a foreign body, and over time it fuses with the bone.
The dental prostheses (crowns or bridges) placed on top of these artificial roots allow the patient to chew and speak as if they were their own natural teeth.
Why Are Dental Implants Placed?
Tooth loss is not only an aesthetic problem; it also directly affects general health and quality of life. The main reasons for dental implant treatment are:
Restoring Natural Tooth Function: Chewing function lost due to missing teeth is fully restored thanks to the implant.
Preventing Jawbone Loss: After a tooth is extracted, the jawbone in that area gradually loses volume. By stimulating the bone, the implant prevents this bone loss (resorption).
Providing an Aesthetic Appearance: Missing teeth spoil the aesthetics of a smile and can lower a person’s self-confidence. An implant offers the appearance of a natural tooth.
Protecting Neighbouring Teeth: While traditional bridge treatments require the healthy adjacent teeth to be reduced, implant treatment does not involve the other teeth.
Correcting Speech Problems: Missing front teeth can make certain sounds difficult to pronounce. Implants eliminate this problem.
Who Can Have Dental Implants?
The following conditions are generally required for implant treatment:
Sufficient Jawbone Volume: For the implant to anchor, the bone tissue must be of sufficient width and height. (If the bone is insufficient, bone graft material can be applied.)
Healthy Gums: For the implant to last, good oral hygiene and healthy gums are essential.
General Health: Conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes or serious heart disease can affect the healing process. For this reason, a detailed examination before the procedure is important.
How Does Implant Treatment Proceed?
Implant treatment generally consists of two stages:
Placement Stage: The titanium screw is placed in the jawbone under local anaesthesia. A waiting period of 2 to 6 months then follows for the implant to fuse with the bone.
Prosthetic Stage: Once fusion is complete, an impression is taken and a porcelain or zirconia dental prosthesis prepared from it is fitted onto the implant.
Important Note: With proper care and regular dental check-ups, dental implants can be used for a lifetime.
To say goodbye to your missing teeth and have a healthier smile, you can consult a specialist dentist and create a treatment plan tailored to you.
How Should You Care for Your Implant After Treatment?
Care during the first few days after implant placement, and general care afterwards, is critical for the healthy completion of the bone-fusion process known as “osseointegration”.
-
First 24 Hours: On the day of the procedure, do not rinse your mouth and avoid spitting. This supports clot formation and speeds up healing.
-
Diet: For the first few days, avoid very hot or very cold foods; eat soft and liquid foods at room temperature. Stay away from hard foods that would put direct pressure on the implant.
-
Oral Hygiene: Do not brush the surgical area on the first day, but do brush the rest of your mouth. From the second day onwards, you can use the special mouthwashes or soft toothbrushes recommended by your dentist.
-
Smoking and Alcohol: Smoking reduces blood flow to the tissues and can prevent the implant from fusing with the bone. Stopping smoking during the healing period is vitally important.
Will I feel pain during the implant procedure?
No. Because the procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, no pain is felt during treatment. Any mild aches that may occur after the anaesthesia wears off can easily be controlled with the standard painkillers your dentist will prescribe.
How long does an implant last?
Like natural teeth, dental implants are designed to be used for a lifetime when well cared for. Good oral hygiene, regular toothbrushing, the use of interdental brushes or dental floss, and regular dental check-ups every 6 months are the most important factors determining the lifespan of an implant.
Is there a risk of the body rejecting the implant?
Titanium is one of the materials most compatible with the human body, and the risk of an allergic reaction is negligible. What is described as “the body rejecting the implant” is usually caused by the implant failing to fuse with the bone. This mostly depends on factors such as uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking or inadequate oral care after the procedure. Today, the success rate is over 98%.
How long does implant treatment take?
The procedure itself usually takes between 30 minutes and a few hours, depending on the number of implants to be placed. However, a waiting period of generally 3 to 6 months is needed for the implant to fully integrate with the bone (osseointegration). At the end of this period, the permanent prostheses are fitted.
Can anyone have implants?
Implants can be placed in anyone in good general health whose jawbone development is complete (usually aged 18 and over). In patients with insufficient jawbone, treatment can begin once a suitable foundation has been prepared with bone graft applications.
Why OptimaDent?
- Digital Technologies
-
Experienced Specialist Dentists
-
Pain-Free and Comfortable Treatment Experience
-
Certified and Guaranteed Implant Brands
-
Aesthetic and Functional Design
-
Hygiene to International Standards
Frequently asked questions
Will I feel pain during the implant procedure?
No. Because the procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, no pain is felt during treatment. Any mild aching that may occur once the anaesthesia wears off can easily be controlled with the standard painkillers prescribed by the dentist.
How long does implant treatment take?
The procedure itself usually takes between 30 minutes and a few hours, depending on the number of implants. A waiting period of generally 3 to 6 months is then needed for the implant to fully integrate with the bone, after which the permanent prostheses are fitted.
How long does an implant last?
Like natural teeth, dental implants are designed to last a lifetime when well cared for. Good oral hygiene, regular brushing, use of interdental brushes or floss, and dental check-ups every 6 months are the most important factors determining an implant's lifespan.
Is there a risk of the body rejecting the implant?
Titanium is one of the most body-compatible materials, and the risk of an allergic reaction is negligible. So-called rejection usually results from the implant failing to fuse with the bone, mostly due to uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking or inadequate oral care after the procedure.
