FAQ: What is a dental implant and why is it beneficial to me?
Dental implant aka the simple replacement of a broken tooth
If we lose our natural teeth for any reason, dental implants may be a viable alternative. But what should we know about them?
We have compiled the most important information on dental implant screws on this page, which serves as a concise guide to dental implants. Before you read any further, we would like to direct your attention to our other related pages where you can find answers to the following questions.
Are you unsure about which dental implant would be ideal for you, or have you not yet made up your mind between getting an implant or replacing your teeth the traditional way?
Would you like to know what types of dental implants are available in our clinic?
Are you interested in a step-by-step dental implant procedure or would you like to learn more about the various surgical procedures?
Alternatively, are you interested in learning what to do and what not to do following a dental implant?
Are you interested in fixed dentures with implants, or would you like more information on crowns or bridges based on implants?
What does a dental implant mean?
A dental implant is a special screw for dental use, usually made of titanium material, which is inserted into the jawbone of the lower or upper jaw by a qualified surgeon in order to replace the tooth's root. The implanted artificial root has similar chewing ability as our natural teeth, meaning it can serve as a replacement for lost teeth.
... but why is it beneficial to me and what use does it serve?
The placement of a dental implant is a routine, long-term solution for replacing a missing tooth
If there are no additional contraindications, the first option for replacing a missing tooth is the insertion of a dental implant, sometimes referred to as tooth implantation. The treatment of missing teeth can be effectively addressed with this operation, which has been carried out on a regular basis for decades and has a high success rate of 97-98%.
The insertion of dental implants is one of the most frequently performed procedures in oral surgery. It is now available to everyone as a solution for replacing lost teeth or treating missing teeth.
Implantation to avoid tooth preparation (drilling), also possible under general anaesthesia
The drilling that is required to prepare the adjacent, healthy teeth for a standard dental bridge can be avoided with the use of a dental implant. General anaesthesia may also be used for the insertion of dental implants. This is a comforting alternative available to you, if you are worried about the discomforts of oral surgery.
Screw-based tooth implantation: utilizing implants to support a crown, bridge, or even an entire arch bridge
Dental implants are used to replace a single lost tooth. They can also support bridges, full mouth bridges, or stabilise prosthetic dentures (also known as "implant-supported dentures") in situations where many or all teeth are missing.
Implants help to balance the chewing force as a new unit, which is an advantage over traditional dental bridges or removable dentures that overcharge the patient's natural teeth.
The dental implant can be used to support crowns, dental bridges, prostheses (fixed dentures), or other dentures after a healing phase. Both functionally and aesthetically, the titanium screw that was placed and the dentures were designed to resemble real teeth.
Implant solutions can provide a universal and long-lasting means of sustaining a variety of implant-supported dental prostheses, regardless of the number of missing teeth—one missing tooth or the teeth of an entire jaw.
…but what does the screw look like?
Advice from a specialist before dental implantation
Dental implantation is a routine intervention that is always performed under local anaesthesia. It is a proven procedure that has been used for decades and enables the replacement of a removed tooth with an artificial tooth that comes as close as possible to the appearance and comfort of a natural tooth. If you are missing a tooth, all you need to do is contact us for a consultation.
Dr. László Lukács, periodontist
Structure of the screw: Dental implant thread, components, related parts
Parts of a dental implant
The length of an entire dental implant typically measures 7-14 mm in length. The inserted screw itself is a single, solid object that is divided into neck, body, and apex sections. The reason for this subdivision's importance is that the surface and thread formation in each part are often distinct.
Dental implant surface, threads
ATo ensure that the artificial root is properly anchored in the bone, its surface is specifically designed and features both smaller and bigger threads. Depending on the area of the screw that is subject to different physical forces, the thread of the dental implant on the titanium surface typically varies.
The implant that is placed into the bone will have a number of components attached to it.
Gum management, implant healing screws, closure caps
Simultaneously with the implant is the insertion of a healing screw or gum shaping screw. Their function is to help shape the soft tissue surrounding the implant and seal the interior of the artificial root (implant). When the implant is released after the healing time in the case of placement of closure cap, any closure screws that were placed are later swapped out for gum shaping screws.
Dental implant abutment - which holds the crown
Following implant placement and the three to six month recovery period, the healing screw is swapped out for an abutment (implant head) that secures the final dental crown. Cementation or screw retention can be used as a way to secure the prosthetic crown or bridge.
Conditions for implant placement, when is it possible and when is it not?
General health conditions
There are no contraindications to implant placement unless there is a reason that precludes general surgery. However, there are medical conditions in which it is not possible at all or only under specific conditions. These can be
- Haemophilia, issues related to blood coegulation
- Taking certain medications (such as bisphosphonates, which are used to treat osteoporosis)
- Untreated diabetes
- Radiotherapy
- Heavy smoking and poor oral hygiene are also adverse prognostic factors
Condition of the oral cavity, sufficient bone volume
The procedure requires sufficient bone volume into which the titanium screw can be inserted. If there is insufficient bone volume, bone grafting may be necessary. In this case, insertion of the implant is the second step.
The amount of bone can be measured with a dental CT scan, an MRI scan is uncommon for dental implants.
How painful are dental implants?
The good news is that implantation does not cause any significant pain. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, so it does not cause more than a slight discomfort, so you have nothing to worry about. After the anesthetic has worn off, a few painkillers are usually sufficient.
Healing time of a dental implant, the osseointegration process
During surgery, the titanium screw is inserted into the jawbone. A dental implant typically takes a few days, up to two weeks, to fully heal following implantation. Once the gums have healed, the second phase of healing begins, which is no longer associated with subjective discomfort. The osseointegration process of the dental implant usually takes 2-5 months after the intervention.
The healing time of the procedure also depends on whether a bone graft was performed at the same time as the implantation. In some cases, if a sinus lift has been performed, then the recovery time may be 6 months.
Meaning of immediate implantation
Sometimes we plan to implant a titanium screw in a tooth that has not yet been extracted (immediate implantation). Immediate implantation is therefore carried out at the same time as the tooth extraction. The advantage is that we can prevent the bone resorption that occurs after a conventional tooth extraction.
This allows us to preserve hard and soft tissue that would otherwise be lost after the removal of a tooth. In addition, there is no need to wait until the tooth extraction has healed. A few months after the procedure, a permanent denture can be made.
Immediately loadable dental implant
In certain implantation scenarios, a temporary tooth replacement is promptly provided following dental implant surgery, a procedure known as immediate loading. This temporary replacement becomes feasible when an appropriate implant is placed, exhibiting adequate stability to endure the applied load(all-on-4, all-on-6)
Durability of a dental implant
"The durability of the implanted screw depends on several things. If the screw is inserted in the right quality, i.e. if its position, the condition of the bone and the gum tightness is correct, its durability is determined by the following factors in addition to the quality of the implant prosthesis:
- oral hygiene
- smoking
- general state of health, defense capacity of the immune system
If all conditions are ideal, they can really provide an experience of a lifetime.
Dental implant prices, how much does it cost?
Regarding dental implant prices, a very common question is, which is the cheapest dental implant and how much does it cost?
The price of a dental implant is really its drawback. Dental implants range in cost depending on a number of variables. The type and manufacturer of the dental implant being installed are the primary determining factors. Selecting a dental implant from a less expensive manufacturer can prove to be more beneficial in terms of cost.
The requirement for specialized equipment used in implant surgeries, or the surgeon's expertise and skill, is another factor influencing the cost of dental implants.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the expenses for the implantation represent merely a portion of the overall expenditure when estimating the costs. In this instance, the cost of the dental procedure consists of the cost of the tooth replacement and the implant. Thus, it makes sense to think about the entire cost rather than just its parts.
During the consultation, we prepare a treatment plan, which includes, in addition to the price of the dental implant, healing times, warranty conditions and other information. Instead of a dental implant, we also suggest other traditional dental restorations as treatment alternatives.
Based on price, dental implants can be grouped into many categories, which are shown at the bottom of this page or on the dental prices page.
To express your interest in dental implants and implantation for a lost tooth, simply give us a call at 053 9301 323. During a consultation, our colleagues who specialize in implantology, oral surgery, and periodontics will provide you with information about the various options, their benefits, and drawbacks. Helvetic Clinics Budapest's implant specialists are ready to assist you in Hungary!
FAQ - Dental implant related frequently asked questions
Is implant failure common?
Unfortunately, we often see cases where the implant has been placed without proper expertise. In many cases, the wrong implant size is inserted in the wrong axial position, and in this case the prosthesis can either not be completed or only at the cost of compromises. Implants in a hopeless situation often have to be removed. It can also be a mistake to place a screw in a place where it should only have been placed after bone replacement.
What are the side effects of dental implants?
The implanted artificial root is made of titanium, so there are no side effects. Titanium is a biocompatible material. Of course, there are cases when inflammation develops next to the implant, but this is not a foreign body reaction, not "rejection" like an organ transplantation.
Is it possible to place a dental implant without pain?
Among the oral surgeries, dental implantation is also performed under local anesthesia, so the intervention does not involve any pain at all. We also try to reduce the discomfort of the anesthetic injection by using anesthetic gel beforehand. However we have to expect minimal discomfort, since keeping the mouth open is tiring after a certain amount of time.
Can a removable denture be made more stable with an implant?
In case there is not enough tooth of your own to stabilize the removable denture, we can use implants.
Do dental implantation and the insertion of a pin into a tooth mean the same thing?
The two are not the same concept. While the former means implanting the dental implant into the bone, to replace a lost tooth, the latter means an inlay core made in the root canal to reinforce a saved tooth.
Can an implant be inserted directly next to a tooth?
Of course, an implant can be implanted next to a tooth, care must be taken to ensure that there is an appropriate distance between the natural tooth surface and the artificial surface, so that the absence of inflammation can be guaranteed in the long term.
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