What is an Implant? Who Can Get Dental Implant Treatment?

Implants are artificial tooth roots placed in the jawbone to replace missing teeth. Implants, usually made of titanium, integrate with the jawbone, imitating the natural tooth root and creating a solid foundation for the dental prostheses to be placed on it. Dental implants stand out as a permanent treatment option to replace missing teeth, as they offer the closest solution to natural teeth in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Implant treatment offers a healthy and durable tooth structure to people who lose their chewing function or have problems with their aesthetic appearance due to missing teeth.

What is an Implant?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots, usually made of biocompatible materials such as titanium, that are placed in the jawbone to replace missing or lost teeth. Offering a structure similar to the natural tooth root, implants integrate with the jawbone and provide a strong and permanent foundation for the tooth. Thanks to this feature, it not only offers an appearance very close to natural teeth in terms of aesthetics, but also performs functions such as chewing and speaking. Implants help fill missing tooth gaps by using them with crowns, bridges or prostheses. It stands out as a long-lasting and durable alternative to traditional bridges and prostheses. It prevents bone loss caused by missing teeth. Because it harmonizes with the jawbone and contributes to keeping the bone healthy. The gap created by the missing tooth root in the jawbone can lead to osteoporosis over time. However, implants eliminate these problems because they integrate with bone tissue. The ability to fuse with the jawbone is one of the biggest advantages of implants. This makes the implant very durable. Additionally, since it is placed independently of other teeth, it does not affect the structure of the surrounding healthy teeth.

In Which Situations Is Implant Applied?

Dental implants are a flexible treatment option that can be applied in cases of single tooth loss, multiple tooth loss or completely edentulous cases. Titanium screws placed in the jawbone ensure stable positioning of the implant. This treatment addresses the aesthetic concerns caused by missing teeth. It helps protect the facial and jaw structure and increases the patient’s self-confidence. Dental implants are a reliable treatment method that restores the functional structure of teeth and offers long-term use. However, it may not be possible to apply it in some special cases. To determine whether implant treatment is suitable, factors such as the patient’s general health condition, jaw bone structure and oral hygiene habits are taken into consideration. Direct implant application may not be possible, especially if the jawbone is too thin or weak for the implant to hold. Bone-supporting procedures such as bone grafting or sinus lifting may be necessary.

Who Can Get Dental Implant Treatment?

It is applied to those who want to eliminate missing teeth and regain chewing function. Dental implants are one of the most suitable solutions for individuals who have chewing, speech and aesthetic problems due to missing teeth. The main situations where dental implant treatment can be applied:

• Single Tooth Missing: Dental implants can be applied in cases where a single tooth is missing. Since it is placed independently of other teeth, it does not damage the structure of healthy teeth. It allows the missing tooth to be replaced with a solution that looks natural.
• Missing Multiple Teeth: In individuals with several missing teeth on the same jaw, implants may be preferred instead of bridge prostheses. Implants placed in areas with missing teeth provide a stable bridge structure without the need for the support of healthy teeth.
• Complete Edentlessness: In cases where all teeth are missing, fixed or removable prostheses can be supported by placing a certain number of implants in the jawbone. In this case, the entire tooth structure is created by placing four or six implants, usually using methods such as “All-on-4” or “All-on-6”.
• Those who cannot use traditional prostheses: In some people, traditional removable dentures do not fully adapt to the jaw structure or are not stable due to bone loss. In such cases, implant-supported prostheses provide a more durable solution by being fixed to the jawbone.
• Things to Support Tooth Root Function: Due to missing teeth, melting or weakening of the jaw bone may occur. Since implants provide support to the jawbone like a natural tooth root, they help keep the bone tissue healthy by preventing the bone from melting.
• Those with Aesthetic Concerns: Especially when there are missing front teeth, implant treatment is preferred, which offers the closest solution to natural teeth in terms of aesthetics. Implants provide the natural appearance of tooth structure and smile aesthetics.

How is Implant Treatment Done?

This treatment, which is usually performed in several stages, gives successful results both functionally and aesthetically. Implant treatment requires personalized planning according to the patient’s bone structure and general health condition. The general stages of implant treatment are as follows:

• Before starting treatment, the dentist must perform a comprehensive examination and evaluate the jawbone with imaging methods such as x-ray and tomography.
• The thickness and density of the jawbone must be suitable for the implant. If necessary, additional procedures such as bone grafting or sinus lifting can be performed if the bone is insufficient.
• Local anesthesia is applied to ensure the patient’s comfort during implant treatment. Sedation or general anesthesia may also be preferred in comprehensive implant treatments or according to patient request.
• A small incision is made in the jawbone in the area where the implant will be placed, and the implant slot is opened in the bone with the help of a special apparatus. The implant is placed in the prepared socket and covered to combine with the surrounding bone tissue. During this procedure, it is important that the implant adheres firmly to the bone.
• A healing period of approximately 3 to 6 months is needed for the implant to integrate with the jawbone. During this process, the implant adheres tightly to the bone and becomes ready to function as a tooth root. During the healing process, a prosthetic tooth is not placed on the implant; However, if there is an aesthetic or functional need, a temporary prosthesis can be applied.
• After the implant is fully integrated into the bone, a spacer called an abutment is placed on it. The abutment acts as a connection between the implant and the prosthetic tooth and ensures that the prosthesis is placed properly on the implant.
• After the healing process is completed and the abutment is placed, the prosthetic tooth is placed on the implant in the final stage. This prosthesis has an appearance similar to natural teeth and is prepared to perform functions such as chewing and speaking. Prosthetic teeth can be made fixed or removable, depending on the patient’s tooth structure and needs.

Regular check-ups after treatment are important for the condition of the implant and maintaining oral health. The physician performs checks at regular intervals to evaluate the functionality of the implant and prosthesis. Additionally, regular dental cleaning and maintenance routine is recommended for the longevity of the implant.

Implant Prices

Implant prices vary depending on the quality of the material used, the implant brand, the number of teeth to be treated, additional treatment needs such as bone grafting, and the experience of the dentist. Generally, implant treatment can be costly compared to other dental treatments. However, it is considered an investment because it offers a long-lasting and durable solution.