What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a very popular and effective solution for people who are missing one, several, or all teeth. They represent a long-term option that restores full function to your dentition while improving the appearance of your smile.
A dental implant is a titanium replacement that acts as an artificial tooth root placed in the bone, providing support and stability for a ceramic crown, bridge, or denture. Titanium is a biocompatible material, meaning it bonds very well with bone and has no potential to cause toxic reactions in the body.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
The dental implant procedure consists of several steps:
Initial oral examination and treatment planning
The dentist determines whether you are a suitable candidate for dental implants and creates a treatment plan. A detailed medical history is taken to assess your overall health and identify any conditions that need to be controlled before surgery. All steps of the therapy are thoroughly explained to ensure there are no unanswered questions.Surgical placement of the implant
One or more implants are surgically placed during a single visit under local anaesthesia. The procedure usually lasts 1–2 hours, depending on complexity.Final restoration
Depending on the speed of osseointegration (implant bonding with the bone), the permanent restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) is placed after 3–6 months.
All-on-4 / All-on-6
This method involves placing four or six dental implants at specific angles and attaching a fixed prosthetic restoration to them (a fixed denture).
The All-on-4 construction is non-removable and can only be removed in the dental clinic for check-ups, repairs, or professional cleaning.
Do I Have Enough Bone for Dental Implants?
Bone quality and quantity are assessed using a CBCT scan, which determines the further course of treatment.
If there is insufficient bone, a possible solution is bone augmentation using artificial bone. If the bone defect is too extensive, prosthetic therapy without implants may be recommended.
Advantages of Dental Implants Compared to Dental Bridges
Once an implant successfully integrates with the bone, it provides a lifelong replacement for the missing tooth.
Is the Procedure Painful?
The procedure is completely painless. Local anaesthesia ensures full analgesia of the surgical area.
After the procedure, cooling the area externally is recommended to reduce swelling (never apply ice directly inside the mouth).
Once the anaesthesia wears off, mild pain may occur for 24–48 hours. In such cases, pain relief medication such as ibuprofen is recommended (never aspirin, Andol, or Lupocet).
For patients with severe anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or other reasons that prevent implant placement under local anaesthesia alone, Esthetic Dental Center offers moderate sedation performed by a qualified anaesthesiology team.
With moderate sedation, the patient does not lose consciousness but is deeply relaxed and less sensitive to external stimuli, eliminating fear. This procedure requires thorough preparation and medical evaluation and is completely safe.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Several factors determine whether a patient is suitable for implant placement, including relative and absolute contraindications:
- Age – there is no upper age limit for implant placement. However, in younger patients whose jaw growth is not yet complete, treatment is postponed until development is finished—usually around the age of 21.
- Bone Height and Width – adequate bone height, width, and quality are required. CBCT imaging is the basis for evaluating these parameters.
- Good Oral Hygiene – since the oral cavity cannot be kept sterile, excellent oral hygiene is essential for wound healing and long-term implant success. Patients should maintain daily oral care and attend professional cleanings every six months. Any existing infection or inflammation must be treated before implant placement.
- General Health – Relative Contraindications:
Diabetes mellitus – must be well controlled before treatment
Bisphosphonate therapy – may increase the risk of osteonecrosis
Smoking – slows healing and doubles the risk of implant failure
Absolute Contraindication for Dental Implant Placement: Radiotherapy in the head and neck region – due to the risk of osteoradionecrosis
It is extremely important to discuss your general health with your dentist prior to treatment to minimise potential complications.
If you have any additional questions or are still unsure whether you are a suitable candidate for implant therapy, feel free to contact us by phone or email – we are at your disposal.
Recovery Time
At Esthetic Dental Center, we use guided implantology, a computer-assisted technique that allows precise implant placement using a 3D-printed surgical guide. This approach reduces surgical trauma, minimises complications, and significantly shortens recovery time.
Recovery time varies depending on procedure complexity, but in most cases:
The wound heals within one week
Mild swelling, bruising, and discomfort are normal in the first few days
Soft food is recommended for the first week
The surgical site should not be brushed for the first week
Instead, gentle cleaning with sterile cotton and rinsing with 0.2% chlorhexidine solution 2–3 times daily is advised
Possible Complications of Dental Implant Placement
Complications are rare, and dental implant surgery has a high success rate. Possible complications include:
Infection – minimised through proper preparation, antibiotics, and post-operative care
Mandibular nerve injury – very rare; may cause temporary numbness, usually resolving within weeks to months
Failure of osseointegration – occurs in only 5–10% of cases
With modern digital planning and surgical guides, these risks are significantly reduced.
