Dental Implant Treatment

Implant treatment does not cause any harm to bone tissues. Quite the opposite – the bone level in the area of lost teeth tends to gradually decrease, and implants prevent this bone resorption by restoring function to that area.

For implant treatment, bone development must be complete. For this reason, implant treatment is not performed on individuals under 18 years of age. The bone structure must be healthy and of adequate dimensions for implant placement. If the bone is too narrow or lacks sufficient height for implant placement, the bone structure is first prepared through additional procedures such as bone grafting or sinus lifting.

Implant treatment can also be performed for fully edentulous individuals. Depending on the patient’s bone tissue, options include fixed prostheses or implant-supported removable prostheses. This means that patients with complete tooth loss are not confined to conventional removable dentures that constantly shift in the mouth. Even removable prostheses supported by just 2 implants in a single jaw can significantly improve patient comfort.

With today’s technology, implant treatment can be easily performed under local anesthesia without the patient feeling any discomfort. If you have lost a tooth for any reason, it is beneficial to seek an expert opinion for implant treatment without delay.

How Is Dental Implant Treatment Performed?

Before a patient can receive an implant, their general health must first be checked and their suitability for the surgical procedure must be evaluated. The current condition is examined through clinical oral examination and panoramic X-rays. Then, the number of implants to be placed, the suitability of the implant sites, the type of prosthesis to be made, and the patient’s expectations are determined.

All records from the patient are evaluated and implant planning is carried out. Three-dimensional imaging methods may also be used for this purpose. After the necessary preparations are made, implant procedures are mostly performed under local anesthesia. Depending on the joint decision of the patient and doctor, general anesthesia or sedation methods may also be utilized.

Implant procedures can be performed with or without sutures. Sutured procedures are more commonly preferred. In this method, the gum is incised with a scalpel after anesthesia. Then, a socket is prepared in the implant site using a drill. The implant is placed and the gum is closed with sutures.

In the sutureless method, after anesthesia, gum tissue the diameter of the implant is removed. Then, a socket is prepared in the bone using a drill and the implant is placed. A healing cap is attached to the placed implant, completing the procedure.

In the sutured method, the healing cap is placed approximately 2-3 months after the implant procedure. This requires another round of anesthesia and the gum tissue over the implant is lifted. This constitutes a second surgical procedure. However, this procedure is quite simple and can be performed easily.

What Should Be Considered Before Dental Implant Treatment?

Success in implant treatment is not solely related to the doctor’s knowledge and skill. The attention paid by the patient to the considerations before and after implant treatment is very important.

The most important consideration is oral hygiene. Oral hygiene must be maintained regularly and effectively. Using only toothpaste and a brush is not sufficient. It is also important to use dental floss, interdental brushes, tongue scrapers, and occasional mouthwash.

Smoking is a disadvantage for individuals receiving implants. It is recommended to stop this habit at least 2 weeks before treatment.

Another important consideration is ensuring that the implant being used is patented. You can obtain information about this from your doctor during pre-treatment consultations.

What Should Be Considered After Dental Implant Treatment?

• After the implant is placed, the gauze pad given to the patient should be bitten down on for approximately 30 minutes. Products such as cotton or tissues should not be used instead of the gauze pad.
• It is best to avoid eating until the anesthesia wears off.
• An ice compress applied to the area can help reduce any swelling that may occur due to the procedure.
• Spitting and rinsing should be avoided on the day of the implant procedure. Spitting can cause bleeding and infection.
• Very hot and very cold foods should not be consumed for the first few days after implant placement. Avoiding smoking and alcohol is also very important.
• Taking a very hot shower on the day of the implant procedure is not recommended.
• The implant area should not be disturbed.
• You should take the medications recommended by your dentist according to the prescribed instructions.
• Oral care should be maintained carefully.

Dental Implant Treatment Duration

With the improvement in implant quality and surface characteristics used today, temporary implant-supported prostheses can be made following implant placement. The timing of the permanent prosthesis over the implant is influenced by many factors. The patient’s individual advantages and disadvantages also play a role here. The patient’s age, systemic health, bone quality, number of implants to be placed, and planned prosthesis type all affect the timeline.

After implant placement, a waiting period typically ranging from 1 to 4 months is needed for osseointegration (bone fusion) to occur. If advanced surgical techniques are used, this period may be longer.

The surgical duration of the implant varies depending on the planned procedure and the type of implant to be used (zygomatic implant, etc.). To give an example of a single implant placed to replace a single lost tooth, the procedure takes approximately 10-15 minutes.

To learn about the appropriate treatment plan and process that will meet your expectations, you need to be examined by a specialist dentist.

Stages of Dental Implant Treatment

Dental implant treatment is a process that requires careful attention. All stages of this process must be carried out meticulously.

Clinical Evaluation: This is the stage before treatment begins where the patient’s general health, medications, oral hygiene, the number and distribution of missing teeth, and patient expectations are comprehensively evaluated.

Radiological Evaluation: This stage focuses on the patient’s bone tissue. While panoramic X-rays are our priority, 3D tomographic images are also utilized. The planning anticipated from clinical evaluation is examined on the X-rays.

Implant Planning: In light of clinical and radiological evaluations, this is the stage where decisions about implant placement site, implant diameter and dimensions, and the number of implants are finalized.

Surgical Procedure: Local anesthesia is first administered to the patient for implant placement into the bone. After the necessary time has passed, the surgical procedure is performed. A prescription is written for the patient after the procedure and necessary instructions are provided.

Healing Process: This is the waiting period for the implant placed in the bone to fuse with the bone, depending on the patient’s general health and bone quality. This process typically takes between 1 and 4 months.

Prosthesis Placement: After the healing process is complete, this is the final stage where the implant-supported prosthesis is made. The fixed or removable prosthesis custom-designed for the patient undergoes various laboratory processes to reach its final form. At the end of this stage, the patient achieves the chewing and aesthetic functions they have been waiting for.

Implant Treatment for Insufficient Bone

For an implant to fulfill the functions of the lost tooth and remain in the mouth without problems for many years, it must first fuse adequately with the bone. This naturally requires sufficient bone tissue. At our clinic, we encounter many patients who wish to have implants but have concerns about this issue.

Significant bone loss after prolonged periods of tooth loss is a situation we frequently encounter. Implants placed shortly after tooth loss generally do not present bone-level issues. For this reason, the sooner implant treatment begins after tooth extraction, the better.

With today’s technology, numerous surgical procedures are available to address bone deficiency. These include sinus lifting operations and bone graft applications, among others. In some cases, zygomatic implants may also be considered. Zygomatic implants are much larger than conventional implants, with lengths ranging from 30 to 50 mm. These implants are placed into the cheekbone when there is no bone available. They may be the only option in cases of advanced bone loss.

When Is Dental Implant Treatment Needed?

Various processes can lead to tooth loss. The most common scenario is neglected cavities: a cavity that could initially be resolved with a simple filling treatment reaches the nerve tissue of the tooth if not addressed in time, requiring root canal treatment. If root canal treatment is also delayed, the infection spreads, an abscess forms, and eventually tooth extraction becomes unavoidable. If the gap left by the extracted tooth is not treated, adjacent teeth shift, the opposing tooth elongates, and the bite is disrupted. This is where implant treatment comes in.

Other common causes of tooth loss include advanced gum disease (periodontitis), teeth broken due to trauma, and congenital tooth absence. Regardless of the cause, replacing a missing tooth as soon as possible is important for both oral health and quality of life.

Implant or Bridge?

There are two main options for replacing a missing tooth: an implant and a bridge prosthesis. With a bridge, the healthy teeth on both sides of the gap are reduced in size and connected crowns are placed over them. However, this method requires grinding down healthy teeth.

An implant, on the other hand, stands on its own root without touching neighboring teeth, transmits load to the jawbone to prevent bone resorption, and provides the closest sensation to a natural tooth. When bone structure and general health are suitable, implants are considered the gold standard today.

Implant Solutions for Multiple Tooth Loss

When multiple teeth are lost, more comprehensive solutions can be planned rather than placing a separate implant for each gap. All-on-4 implant treatment allows a fixed prosthesis to be mounted using only 4 implants for the entire jaw. For cases requiring broader bone support, All-on-6 implant treatment is applied. These treatments make it possible for patients who have worn removable prostheses for years or have been completely without teeth to receive fixed teeth.

Implant Crown: Which Material?

After the implant is placed and osseointegration (bone fusion) is complete, a crown is mounted on top. The most preferred material for this crown is zirconia. Zirconia delivers top-tier results in both durability and natural tooth appearance. For aesthetically prioritized cases in the front region, porcelain crowns may also be considered.

Implants and Orthodontics: Why Is the Right Sequence Important?

If orthodontic treatment is also being planned in the area of a missing tooth, the correct sequence is critical. Since implants are fixed to the jawbone, they cannot be moved with orthodontic forces. Therefore, teeth are first brought to the ideal position with Invisalign or braces, and then the appropriate space for the implant is created.

The shifting of adjacent teeth into the gap after tooth loss can cause orthodontic problems such as crowding and bite irregularities. In such cases, orthodontic correction may need to be performed before implant treatment. At Doredent, implant and orthodontic treatments are coordinated and planned by specialist dentists within the same clinic.

Bone resorption also begins over time in the gap left by a missing tooth. Early implant placement both prevents bone loss and reduces the need for additional bone grafting. For this reason, we recommend having an evaluation as soon as possible after tooth loss.