Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implants can provide a long-lasting solution to many dental problems, helping to improve the health and stability of your mouth.

The treatment might be right for you if:

• You have one or multiple missing or damaged teeth.

• You’re unable to wear dentures.

• You’re looking for a long-lasting solution for your dental health.

• The bone density in your jaw is sufficient and you don’t have any underlying health conditions that will affect bone healing.

• You have enough time to commit to undergoing the treatment process.

• You’re a non-smoker (as smoking can negatively affect the success rate of dental implant surgery).

Dental Implant Surgery: How Does It Work?

A dental implant — or tooth implant — is usually made of either titanium or zirconia and consists of three parts. 

1. The implant: A metal post which mimics a tooth root.

2. The abutment: A connector between the implant and crown that acts as a screw.

3. The crown: Prosthesis which sits atop the abutment.

Once the abutment is screwed into the implant, and the tissue sutured, it’s left to heal and stabilize. The crown is then fitted after around three months to give the implant a natural look.

For those who travel overseas to get a dental implant abroad, it’s possible for the fitting of the implant and abutment to be done at the same time. So, what is usually a three-step treatment can be achieved in two appointments. However, depending on your particular dentist, this may not be recommended, with some advising you still have the usual three month period between the two fittings.

What Does a Dental Implant Surgery Involve?

The length of a dental implant procedure, and the number of visits required, varies from person to person. This is often because implanted teeth and surrounding areas can heal at different rates for each person. 

Dental implant surgery can also differ depending on whether bone grafting is needed. When bone grafting isn’t needed, the complete procedure takes around 5-6 months. When bone grafting is required, the treatment can take up to 12 months to be completed. 

However long the entire procedure takes, there are common steps that each patient will go through. 

1. Treatment planning: X-rays of the mouth are taken to check the health of the teeth and determine if any extra treatments are needed.

2. Bone grafting: If there’s not enough natural bone in the area of the planned implant, then either natural or synthetic bone material will be added.

3. Implantation: A special drill is used to create the space for the tooth implant. The implant is then placed into the jawbone and the gums are closed. 

4. Healing: Osseointegration — the process in which the implant becomes a part of the jaw — takes about 4-6 months in total. This is usually referred to as the healing period.

5. Final restoration: When the gum tissue is fully healed, the abutment is attached to the implant. Impressions of the are taken mouth, in order to create a crown and once the custom-made crown is ready, it’s placed over the abutment.

6. Aftercare: Some small bruises and swelling in the gum may occur following dental implant surgery. A good brushing technique, as well as regular (preferably every 6-12 months) check-ups with your dentist are important for maintaining the health and stability of your dental implant.

What Should I Expect Following My Dental Implant Surgery?

Once your dental implant surgery is complete, usually 4-6 months after implantation, you should start to notice the benefits that the procedure can bring. 

• More comfortable smiling, eating, and talking: Modern, natural-looking crowns and implants are made to match the colour, shape, and contour of natural teeth. This should allow you to eat, talk, and smile more confidently than before.

• Your jawbones will get stronger: Dental implants stimulate the growth of the jawbone during osseointegration, making the area stronger and healthier.

• Good dental hygiene: Unlike movable dentures, a tooth implant is stable and fixed to the jawbone, and with proper oral hygiene, they are a durable and long-lasting solution.

Dental Implant Surgery: Restoring Multiple Teeth

While it’s possible to have just one dental implant fitted, it’s also common to have multiple implants fitted to restore a larger area of your mouth. There are two treatment options for patients who need this.

All-On-4 Dental Implants

The all-on-4 implant technique involves a full-arch rehabilitation where all the teeth are supported by four implants. It consists of placing the four implants (which will support 10-14 custom-made crowns), either in the maxilla, the mandible, or both.

All-On-6 Dental Implants

Similar to all-on-4, the all-on-6 implant technique involves placing six dental implants in the upper or lower jawbone as a support for 10-14 custom-made crowns. 

Both all-on-4 and all-on-6 implants are recommended for patients who suffer from significant tooth decay or loss, or for those who have a low bone density in the jaw area, preventing them from getting individual tooth implants.

Dental Implant Surgery: Abroad or at Home?

There has been a significant rise in the number of patients travelling to have dental implants abroad. There are a few good reasons for this.

Travelling to get dental implants abroad is becoming more popular due to:

1. Prices for dental implants abroad — like in Turkey where they start at just €599 — are usually much lower than in the UK.

2. Some of the most highly-experienced and renowned dental implant specialists are based overseas.

3. The standards of care at dental clinics abroad match — and often exceed — those of UK dental clinics

4. Travelling to undergo dental treatment overseas allows you to access some of the highest-quality facilities worldwide.

Getting Dental Implants Abroad: How Does It Work?

Every year, hundreds of patients travel to get dental implants abroad. But, before booking their treatment there are a few common questions that are asked.

Why Choose Qunomedical?

By taking a patient first, we are on a mission to revolutionize healthcare. The ability to access high-quality, affordable care shouldn’t be determined by your background, and this is why Qunomedical exists. 

✔ 100% free, non-binding assessment: Whether you choose to book your treatment through us or not, we offer a 100% free, non-binding assessment. 

✔ Choose from some of the best-in-class dentists: Our proprietary scoring system, Qunoscore, evaluates dentists on over 20 data points. These include things like qualifications, experience, accreditations, services offered, and reviews from past patients.

✔ Price match: We’ve done the legwork to identify high-quality dentists that offer dental care at a fair price. Found the same treatment at the same clinic cheaper somewhere else? We’ll match the price.

✔ All-inclusive packages: Many high-quality clinics abroad offer all-inclusive packages that cover things like accommodation, airport pick-up, and transfers to and from the clinic. Just book your flights and leave the rest to your treatment team.

Sources:

Wiley Online Library. (2021). "Long term clinical performance of 10 871 dental implants with up to 22 years of follow-up: A cohort study in 4247 patients". Last visited 06.01.2023

ResearchGate. (2014). "Current trends in dental implants". Last visited 06.01.2023