Dental implant
Dental implant
Dental implants have been used to replace missing teeth since the mid-1960s. Implant surgery has since become much more common, and its primary purpose is to replace missing teeth, restoring a complete and natural-looking smile. The implant is drilled into the jawbone, where it is allowed to heal for 3–6 months. After this, a crown is placed on top, completing the treatment. The implant is made of titanium.
Titanium is a metal known to be highly compatible with human tissue and provides an excellent foundation for osseointegration. Numerous clinical studies have shown that, when properly placed, implants are a safe and long-lasting solution for replacing missing teeth.
Why is getting a dental implant worth it?
- The implant looks and feels like a real tooth
- The implant works like a real tooth, making eating and brushing your teeth easier
- The implant tooth supports adjacent teeth and prevents them from tilting over the missing tooth.
- An implant screw in the jawbone prevents bone loss, as the biting force is transferred from the implanted tooth to the jawbone, thus helping bone formation. Maintaining the bone is important e.g. for maintaining the face and jaw line.
- For example, in the case of a multi-unit dental bridge, the implant screw provides a stable mounting base.
What does a dental implant consist of?
The implant screw is a screw or cylinder made of titanium about 8-16mm in length, which is mounted in a hole drilled in the jawbone. An attachment is installed at the end of the cylinder, on which the final crown is placed. Titanium is the most suitable ingredient for the body and it attaches well to the bone. The ossification process takes 3-6 months, after which the screw is sufficiently well attached to the jaw. After that, the crown is installed on the cylinder and the tooth is ready.
Who is eligible for a dental implant?
The dental implant can be installed for almost anyone. However, there are certain things that exclude the treatment of the implant installation as the potential risk of failure increases. The jawbone should be fully developed, so for people under the age of 18, an implant is not recommended to replace the missing tooth. The mouth should also be treated and holeless, and there should be no infections in the mouth. When the mouth is in an inflammatory state, inflammation can surround the implant screw in the jawbone and cause an eventual detachment. After installing the implant, regular controls with your dentist or specialist dentist ensure a successful implantation. If all of the above is in good shape, your dentist will definitely discuss implantation with you. At this stage, the dentist must confirm the condition of the jawbone and the location of the missing tooth and the number of teeth to be installed.
When can an implant not be fitted?
Implantation is not suitable for people who do not have enough jawbone and a bone graft is not possible. Implantation is also not suitable for people with untreated infections (e. g. periodontitis) in the mouth, nor in case of:
- Untreated diabetes
- Certain skeletal diseases
- Immune system disorders
- Drug use
Smoking should also be taken into account, as smokers are at a much higher risk of losing the implant after installation.
What is involved in implantation?
Research
During the examination, the dentist will first check the overall condition of your mouth, followed by x-rays and cone beam anatomy of the jaws. In this way, the dentist can see the shape and quality of the jawbone in three dimensions, as well as the location of the nerves. The implant can be 3D-guided to ensure that the screw is placed in approximately the right position. Our dentists work with the latest technology to ensure the least painful surgery and recovery time for the patient, and the best possible outcome.
Placement of implant(s)
During installation, the dentist makes a small hole in the gum. Through the hole, the dentist uses a 3D-printed guide to drill a small hole in the jawbone. The hole drilled with the guide is exactly the right size and orientation, avoiding the veins and nerves.
If the patient needs a bone graft, the dentist will open the gum more than when installing with the guide. Adding a bone graft increases costs and extends the ossification (bone formation around the implant) time somewhat. The bone graft is used if the jawbone has suffered from bone loss at the missing tooth, or in the upper half of the jaw the jawbone is too thin at the sinus. At the site of the sinus, the addition of a bone graft is often possible directly through a hole drilled for the implant and does not cause any pain or aches.
Preparation and manufacture of the crown
3-6 months after the implant screw is placed, the dentist will check the ossification. Once the jawbone is strong enough to support the tooth, the crown can be placed on the screw. The implant is 3D scanned or, alternatively, moulds are taken from the mouth.
Installation of a dental crown or dental bridge
Once the crown or dental bridge has been completed by the dental laboratory, your dentist will screw it into place. Your dentist will still make sure the new tooth doesn't stick out and make your bite uneven.
What do bone grafting and bone regeneration mean?
The bone graft ensures that the jawbone is thick enough and high enough for the implant to be placed. The bone graft is often from an animal source. The material used for the bone graft allows the patient's own bone to grow into the implant site. A bone graft is used when the area of the jawbone where the implant is to be placed is too thin or shallow. Such cases include bone loss that has developed in an area where a tooth has been missing for too long. Bone loss is also caused by long-standing tooth infections and careless tooth extraction.
How long does a dental implant last?
Dental implants have a lifespan of up to decades. With proper self-care and regular visits to the dentist, you can prevent problems in advance. Even if the implant is placed in a healthy mouth, periodontitis (a disease that affects the attachment tissue of the tooth) that starts afterwards can still remove the implant from the jaw in the same way as other teeth. We recommend using only well-known and trusted brands of dental implants, because if the implant's superstructure is damaged after twenty years, for example as a result of trauma, it is important to find replacement parts. Dental calculus removal, ongoing check-ups and successful home care will guarantee you a complete, radiant smile for the rest of your life!
How much does a new dental implant cost?
The total cost of dental implant treatment starts at 2600 €, but the cost of dental implants varies from case to case.
We use durable, high-quality Swiss Straumann implants, which come with a lifetime warranty. When comparing the prices of dental implants, it’s important to remember that the prices of different implants aren’t always directly comparable. A more durable implant allows for the use of a narrower dental implant, for example, which makes bone grafts less likely—grafts that prolong treatment time and increase the cost of dental implant treatment. Most importantly, the risk of the dental implant fracturing is reduced, thereby avoiding complications and the need for costly follow-up treatment.
For a more detailed cost estimate, please book a consultation either through our online booking system or by calling our appointment line at 010 323 3963.
Please note that we also offer an installment plan with a 12-month interest-free payment period.
Free dental implant consultation
Dental implant consultations with our general dentists are free of charge. Please note that consultations with specialist dentists are subject to a fee, except for consultations with oral and maxillofacial surgeon Ville Männistö (for the time being).
You can also request a free treatment need appraisal directly online by sending 3 photos to our dentist.