Dentists place dental implants directly into the jawbone under local anesthesia. In some cases, bone grafting is performed beforehand to ensure that the dental implant is anchored securely and firmly.
Dental implants are used when one or more teeth are missing, if this affects aesthetics, chewing, and, in some cases, speech. Dental implants replace the missing tooth root and serve as the foundation for the dental prosthesis.
Dental implants offer a number of advantages over other methods:
- Aesthetics: Dental implants replace the natural tooth, including the root and crown. As a result, dental implants look particularly natural.
- No impact on adjacent teeth: Dentists do not need to attach dental implants to other teeth. The adjacent teeth are not damaged in the process.
- Stable hold: After the healing phase, dental implants are just as stable as natural teeth.
- Preservation of the jawbone: Dental implants prevent a loss of bone mass in the jaw.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that dentists insert into the jawbone @ ONYXprj /AdobeStock
What costs should you expect for a dental implant? Is it for a single tooth or multiple teeth? The costs are generally broken down into four different categories:
- Dental fees
- Dental laboratory costs
- Material costs
- Other costs, such as CT scans
Depending on the type of procedure, the materials used, and the number of dental implants, the costs can vary significantly. As a rough estimate, a single dental implant typically costs in the low four-digit range. To ensure the costs are worthwhile, it’s important to consider the benefits of implants.
Before a dental implant can be placed, the entire oral cavity must be fully restored. Once all teeth are in perfect condition, the dentist can determine the number, length, diameter, and location of the dental implant.
Plaster impressions of the jaw are used to create surgical guides, which serve as a guide during the dental implant procedure.
Dental implant placement is typically performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. If multiple dental implants are needed, the patient may be placed under twilight sedation. General anesthesia is also an option.
To anchor the dental implant, the dentist makes an incision to open the gum tissue over the jawbone. Using a special drill, he creates a channel in the bone into which he screws the screw-shaped dental implants.
In most cases, the dentist uses a surgical guide prepared in advance to ensure precise positioning of the dental implant. The dentist then screws the dental implant into the bone. After placing the dental implant, the dentist closes the gum tissue with a suture.
Dentists distinguish between:
- closed healing
- open healing
In closed healing, the dental implant is completely enclosed. In open healing, the dental implant is visible from above.
After the procedure, the area must remain cool. Occasionally, patients report swelling and bruising, which subside within a week at the latest.
When is bone grafting necessary?
When placing a dental implant, the quality of the bone is fundamental to the implant’s stability.
If bone loss has already occurred in the jaw and there is insufficient bone mass for a dental implant, a bone graft is necessary.
Bone substitute materials promote the natural regeneration of the bone. A bone graft to prepare for a dental implant may be necessary in both the upper and lower jaws. However, the procedure differs fundamentally.
When a dental implant is placed in the upper jaw, the bone loses width before it loses height. In the lower jaw, the bone flattens out and becomes wider.
Depending on the initial condition, bone grafting can be performed using various methods:
- Sinus lift
- Bone expansion
- Bone splitting
- Distraction osteogenesis
- Socket preservation
- Bone block grafting
- Alveolar ridge augmentation and
- Sinus Lift
How does the healing process for a dental implant work?
It usually takes about 6 to 12 weeks for the dental implant to fuse firmly with the bone. Dentists often place a temporary restoration on the dental implants during the healing period.
Here are some reasons to use a temporary restoration:
- Aesthetic reasons
- Restoration of chewing function
- Protection of the dental implant
The final dental prosthesis is created based on an impression of the jaw.
When securing the dental prosthesis to the dental implant, dental professionals distinguish between:
- screw retention and
- adhesive fixation
Dental implants are designed to remain in the jaw for a lifetime. During follow-up appointments after the placement of a dental implant, special examination methods are used to check the strength and stability of the implant.
Both intraoperative and postoperative complications can occur with dental implants.
Risks during surgery include:
- Nerve injury
- Tooth injury/root injury
- Soft tissue injuries
- Perforations
- Bleeding
- Injury to the maxillary sinus
- Bone fracture
Postoperative risks associated with dental implants include:
- Impaired wound healing
- Swelling
- Postoperative bleeding and bruising
- Pain
- Implantitis (early infection)
- Peri-implantitis (bone loss around the dental implant)
- Damage to the implant
- Implant loss
A dental implant—and modern dental implants—make it possible to replace missing teeth with stable implants, whereby the implant serves as an artificial tooth root and is permanently anchored in the jawbone. In implantology, implantation is performed by a dentist as a surgical procedure under local or general anesthesia; it is usually painless for the patient and can be performed in both the upper and lower jaws.
During the healing phase, osseointegration occurs, in which the implant body—made of titanium or ceramic—fuses firmly with the bone structure of the jawbone, resulting in a stable dental restoration.
Once the wound has healed, an abutment is attached to the implant, onto which the fixed dental restoration—such as a crown, bridge, or denture—is fabricated and aesthetically integrated into the dental arch without the need to grind down adjacent teeth.
Compared to dentures, dental implants offer the advantage of providing a stable restoration for edentulous areas, reducing bone loss, protecting the gums, and ensuring a natural appearance.
Depending on the bone structure of the jawbone, a drilling template may be used to precisely place the implant; however, factors such as periodontitis, tooth decay, or poor oral hygiene can affect the healing process and lead to complications.
Dental implant treatment is often a long-term solution for replacing teeth; it is subsidized by health insurance and, with proper care of the dental prosthesis and regular checkups, provides a durable, stable, and anatomically sound restoration.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed in the jawbone and serves as a foundation for dental restorations such as a crown or bridge.
How does dental implant treatment work?
After planning, the implant is surgically placed in the jaw. This is followed by a healing phase during which the implant fuses with the bone before the final dental restoration is fabricated.
Are dental implants painful?
The procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia and is generally pain-free. Mild discomfort may occur after the procedure, but this can be easily managed with pain medication.
How much does a dental implant cost, and does health insurance cover it?
The cost of dental implants varies depending on the complexity of the procedure, the materials used, and any necessary bone grafting. Health insurance usually only covers a portion of the cost of the dental prosthesis, not the entire implant procedure.
How long do dental implants last?
With good oral hygiene, regular checkups by the dentist, and a stable bone structure, dental implants can last for many years or even a lifetime.
