| What is an implant ? A dental implant is a titanium screw that serves as a post for replacing a missing tooth. The implant is inserted in the upper or lower jaw through a surgical procedure. A waiting period follows, in which the implant is secured by being integrated into the bone (the development of links between bone and implant) so that the implant can serve as support for a crown, a fixed or mobile, partial or total prothesis. Dental implants can replace one or more teeth. The prothesis that have implants as support, look more like natural teeth and the function of the missing tooth is taken over by the prothesis. The therapy by implant represents an option for restoration with a long clinical history. The dental implants maintain the integrity of the facial structure and reduce the inconvenience associated with tooth loss.
Who can benefit from dental implants? Any person who has one or more missing teeth, due to accidents, disease or complications of dental decay, can benefit from implant therapy. If one or several teeth are missing, prosthesis or denture restoration on implants can replace the missing teeth. Sometimes older patients consider that their age prevents them from benefiting from dental implants. In implant therapy health not age is a determinant factor. It is considered that if a patient is healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, then that patient is healthy enough to have an implant. Your medical doctor can evaluate if you can benefit from an implant taking into consideration your personal medical history, general and dental.
Is the procedure painful? Application of implants is done under local anesthesia and you will not feel any pain during this time. The area of the intervention can become swolen for some days after the intervention and the medium intensity of the pain can be controlled with mild analgetics.
How much does it costs? Having a dental implant is an investment for the future and for the quality of your life. The new teeth will create the same sensation as your natural teeth, which is an extraordinary fact. This is a treatment that will reduce your future costs with dental care.
Will they feel as my own teeth? Yes! Implants are fixed in the bone and act as your own teeth when you eat, talk or laugh. Most of the patients do not sense any difference between their natural teeth and the new teeth and even more the sensation of force when chewing is greater and dental pain does no longer exist.
Will the new teeth look like my other teeth? Yes! Normally only the dentist can make the difference; they will resemble so much your natural teeth!
Can I keep my other teeth? Yes of course! Implants allow us to replace missing teeth without touching the healthy teeth. Contrary to classical bridges and partial prothesis the nearby teeth do not have to be afected at all.
Is age a problem? Normally there are no problems regarding age, but if you are under 18 years old we have to make sure that growth has ended before taking into consideration the possibility of an implant.
What are the risks involved? Many clinical studies regarding treatment with dental implants have shown that long term results are pozitive. The way implants have been conceived and their surface treated, ensures good resistance and maintenance of the restoration. The screw of the implant post contributes to the local sustenance of the implant and of the bone volume. All these contribute to the conservation of the contour of the tissues (gum tissue) and give a natural look.
Why are implants done out of titanium? Titanium is a bio-compatible material, so that the bone succeeds to integrate it in its structure by bone integration.
How many visits are necessary for this type of treatment? This depends on your teeth and the type of treatment most adequate to your case. For some situation only one surgical intervention is needed, for other cases the surgical intervention needs to be done in two steps.The innitial consultation, the surgical procedure, the postsurgery control, the prothesis steps and the final check up total a number of 6-8 visits until finalising the treatment.
Can the intervention be done under general anesthesia? General anesthesia is not necessary. Local anesthesia associated with a sedative is sufficient. There is the possibility of iv profound sedation if you prefer, which gives you a state of peace and wellbeing. Profound sedation is preffered if a bone graft is neccesary or a more labour intensive intervention is needed, thus confering peace both to the patient and the surgeon and shortening the rehabilitation period due to the minimisation of “surgical trauma”. Ask your doctor about this.
Will my teeth be missing during treatment? No, temporary crowns and dentures can be done for this period.
How do I take care of my new teeth? For maintaining good results dental brushing is sufficient, the same as you do for your natural teeth, as well as other forms of dental hygiene, oral shower and dental floss. Your dentist will explain how to use these.
How many sick days will I need? It is not abnormal to have post surgical oedema or echimosis after implantation. Most patients restart work after 2 -3 days from the intervention, others even on the second day of the intervention, if work does not require physical activity and taking into consideration the postsurgical indications explained and handed in writing after each intervention by your dentist.
Should I stop smoking? Stopping smoking is highly recommended. Smoking slows down the healing process and negatively affects long term prognosis.
Drinking coffee, tea or wine can spoil or colour my new teeth? The porcelain crowns used for implants are less affected by these natural colouring substances. | 
