Materials called DENTAL IMPLANTS are generally artificial tooth roots made of titanium and are biocompatible. Dental implants have been produced and successfully applied for over 60 years. Over the years, many changes have occurred in their application methods, designs, production and indications. However, the main goal of replacing missing teeth without damaging the adjacent teeth remains the same.
Why are dental implants necessary?
Unfortunately, tooth deficiencies are processes that many people experience in life. When tooth deficiencies occur, it is usually realized how disturbing they are. At this point, every person who loses a tooth wants to know how to compensate for this deficiency.
The most effective method known today for the solution of tooth loss is dental implant applications. With dental implant applications, there is no need for intervention on other healthy teeth. Or, in individuals who are completely toothless, removable dentures can be made more stable. In fact, in the presence of suitable bone, fixed teeth can be made in completely toothless mouths by increasing the number of implants.
How long is the life of a dental implant?
After dental implants are successful at the end of the osseointegration process, which we call fusion with the bone, it would not be right to talk about a life. Because it is not possible to determine a life for dental implants. The material life is much longer than the human life. Therefore, as long as there are no diseases and conditions such as fractures, bone loss, abscesses, etc. that occur in our natural teeth, implants can serve for a lifetime.
However, if osseointegration does not occur, if the bone melts around the implant for various reasons, or if there are situations that may cause fractures or cracks that may damage the implant, it is possible to lose the implant. However, even if the implant is lost, it is possible to place the implant again as long as there is sufficient bone. In cases where there is not enough bone, we can use bone augmentation methods called bone powder, bone coating, pins, etc. After the necessary bone augmentation is made in the region for the implant to be placed again with these methods, the implant can be applied again.
Is Implant Surgery Painful?
No, they are not. Dental implant operations are performed under local anesthesia. And no pain is felt during the procedure. In case of any discomfort, the patient can easily give a warning since they are under local anesthesia, and the anesthesia procedure can be repeated quickly.
How Long Should You Wait for Permanent Teeth to Be Placed After Implant Surgery?
After implant surgery, it is necessary to wait an average of 2-4 months for this artificial tooth root to fuse with the jawbone. If the process we call osseointegration is completed at the end of this period, a permanent tooth can be placed on the implant. In some cases, the quality of the jawbone may be low, and since the amount of bone is low, bone augmentation procedures may be necessary. In these cases, the waiting period may be longer. The doctor who performs the operation decides on the waiting period for permanent teeth to be placed.
Can a Stitchless Implant Be Placed?
We can perform some implant operations without stitching. It is important to have sufficient bone amount for the closed surgery we perform in order to be able to place a seamless implant. Closed surgery before the procedure, a computerized tomography is taken from the patient and the jaw bone measurements and density are determined in 3D. Mouth measurements are also taken and these data are analyzed by superimposing them. A guide is prepared according to these measurements specific to the person. With this guide system, we determine implant positions, diameters, lengths, and even approximately in which position the teeth will stand at the end of the healing process.
With the seamless implant method, operation times are shortened, pain and swelling are less common.
With this method, implant positions can be adjusted much better, but it cannot be applied to every individual and is more costly than classical operations.
Can Temporary Teeth Be Made on the Implant?
Yes, if the implant's placement value in the bone (also called torque value) is at a certain level, temporary teeth can be made on the implant. However, the decision for temporary teeth should be made by the doctor who performs the operation. Because the only factor for making temporary teeth is not the sufficient compression value. Although temporary provides an aesthetic convenience, it actually carries a slightly higher risk in the healing process compared to an implant that has been left without teeth.
Which Implant Brand is Better?
It has become very difficult for even doctors to keep track of implant brands in the world. Because estimates are that there are over 1600 brands. And at the same time, the emergence of so many brands has not reduced the quality, on the contrary, it has caused certain quality standards to be better established in the world. It would not be very realistic to say that some brands are better and some are bad, because it is not possible for a doctor to have tried all the brands.
As a result of thousands of operations we have performed over the years at Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry and our clinic, we prefer certain implant brands in our clinic. In these preferences, the age of the implant company, the importance they give to R&D studies, educational activities, innovation, the opinions of our physician friends at home and abroad, the steps taken by the implant company regarding its products are important criteria.
Brands that have been in use for many years such as ITI-Straumann, Ankylos, Nobel Biocare, Astra, Osstem, Dentium, Bredent, Hiossen have proven themselves in various academic studies and have a wide area of use. These brands are well-known in the world, applied by many periodontologists and dentists in many countries, and their quality is accepted.
In addition to all this, the only successful implant brands are not the only ones above. There are other successful brands that meet similar conditions. In order for a brand to be reliable and recommended, its application by a physician is also an important factor. However, it is not very possible for all brands to be tried by a physician, unfortunately.
Implant Tooth Prices
Implant prices may change due to cost increases related to foreign exchange in 2025. The prices announced by the Turkish Dentists Association every year have been determined. These prices are a guide in terms of the costs of the treatments, but they do not include the materials to be used during the treatment. These costs are the fees that must be paid to the physician for that treatment. The material fees are added to these fees and the net costs emerge.
When determining implant tooth prices, many factors such as which brand of implant will be used, which country it is manufactured in, whether bone graft application is necessary or whether additional surgical procedures are required should be planned. The implant should be placed on but the material of the prosthesis, temporary tooth application, etc. also affect implant prices.
When the appropriate conditions are created in terms of both aesthetics and function, the most preferred missing tooth treatment in the world is dental implant applications. The dentist who performs the examination should decide how the implant application should be performed in terms of aesthetics, function and health.