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RomânăWhat is implantology?
Implantology is the field of dentistry concerned with replacing missing teeth with artificial tooth roots. These implants are small screws, usually made of titanium, which are carefully placed in the jawbone. Within a few months they fuse firmly with the bone. This process is known as osseointegration.
Once the implant has healed in, the actual replacement tooth is attached: a crown, a bridge or an implant-supported denture. The result is a restoration that comes very close to a natural tooth in both function and appearance.
How an implant is built
An implant restoration consists of three parts:
- 1Crown: the visible part. Made of all-ceramic or veneered metal, individually matched to the neighbouring teeth.
- 2Abutment: the connecting piece between the implant and the crown. Made to fit precisely in our laboratory.
- 3Implant body: the artificial root in the jawbone. Usually made of titanium, with a special thread for a secure hold.
Our approach
We do not see implantology as an isolated procedure, but as a carefully planned overall process: thorough diagnostics, open information about possibilities and limitations, a gentle operation and a prosthetic restoration from our own laboratory. All under one roof.
When does an implant make sense?
Implants can be considered in many situations:
- A single lost tooth, without grinding down the neighbouring teeth
- Several missing teeth in a row, as an implant-supported bridge
- A completely toothless jaw, to give a denture a firm hold
- Replacing teeth that can no longer be saved, combined with an aesthetic restoration
Whether an implant is the right choice in your case depends on many factors, such as the amount of available bone, your general health and your individual expectations. We discuss these points in detail during a personal consultation.
Advantages over other solutions
There are basically three ways to close a gap between teeth, each with its pros and cons:
| Criterion | Implant | Bridge | Denture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neighbouring teeth preserved | Yes | No (grinding needed) | Yes |
| Protection against bone loss | Yes | No | No |
| Fixed in place (no wobbling) | Yes | Yes | Partly |
| Chewing comfort like a natural tooth | Very high | High | Limited |
| Care | Like a natural tooth | Slightly more effort | Taken out daily |
| Treatment time | 3–6 months | 2–3 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
| Investment (long term) | Higher at first, long-lasting | Medium | Lower |
Important
Which restoration is right for you depends on many individual factors: the available bone, your general health, the number of teeth affected and your personal preferences. The table above is a first orientation, but it does not replace a personal consultation.
Our treatment process
An implant restoration is divided into several clearly structured steps:
Diagnostics & digital planning
We record your situation with modern X-ray imaging and, if necessary, a three-dimensional cone beam CT scan (CBCT). On this basis, we plan the most suitable implant position on the computer down to the millimetre.
Personal consultation
We discuss the treatment plan, possible alternatives and the expected costs with you openly, including a treatment and cost plan (Heil- und Kostenplan) for your health insurance or supplementary dental insurance.
Implant placement
The procedure is usually carried out as an outpatient treatment under local anaesthetic. Using a minimally invasive technique, we place the implant gently in the jawbone. The procedure usually takes 20–40 minutes per implant and is well tolerated by most patients.
Healing phase
Over the following weeks, the implant fuses firmly with the bone. Depending on the starting situation, this healing takes 6–16 weeks. During this time you can wear a temporary restoration if you wish.
Prosthetic restoration
Once healing is complete, our in-house laboratory makes the final replacement tooth, individually matched to your row of teeth in shape, colour and function. The restoration is then fixed onto the implant.
Aftercare & check-ups
We recommend regular check-ups and professional implant cleaning (implant prophylaxis). This is the most important measure for helping your implant last as long as possible.
Special procedures
Immediate implants
In selected cases, an implant can be placed in the same session, directly after a tooth has been removed. This shortens the treatment time and can reduce bone loss. We carefully check whether immediate implant placement makes medical sense in your case, based on your individual circumstances.
Bone augmentation
If there is not enough bone for an implant, the jawbone can be built up in a targeted way using modern methods, for example with your own bone, bone substitute granules or protective membranes. Where needed, we carry out smaller augmentations directly at the practice.
Implants for a toothless jaw
For patients with a completely toothless upper or lower jaw, implant-supported dentures offer a clear gain in comfort compared with conventional full dentures: they sit firmly without wobbling and allow you to eat and speak without worry. Often 4 to 6 implants per jaw are enough.
Materials: titanium and ceramic
Two materials are mainly used for the implant body:
- Titanium: the proven standard for decades. Very stable, well tolerated and with an excellent healing rate.
- Ceramic (zirconium dioxide): the metal-free alternative, especially when there is a strong wish for a metal-free restoration or when the gums in the visible area are thin and translucent.
We decide together which material is suitable for you, depending on the position in the jaw, the aesthetic requirements and your personal preferences.
Treatment with as little pain as possible
We carry out implant procedures under local anaesthetic. For patients with severe anxiety, or for longer procedures, we deliberately plan extra time and breaks. We talk you through how the procedure works calmly beforehand.
Durability and care
With good care, implants can last many years, often even decades. The key factors for a long lifespan are:
- Daily oral hygiene with a soft toothbrush and interdental brushes
- Regular professional teeth cleaning (implant prophylaxis), usually twice a year
- Check-ups at the practice every six months
- Not smoking, as smoking increases the risk of peri-implantitis
- Well-managed general health (especially with diabetes)
Costs and reimbursement
German statutory health insurance generally does not cover the cost of the implant itself. It pays what is known as the fixed subsidy (Festzuschuss) for the standard treatment (a bridge). Patients pay the difference themselves. Private health insurers and supplementary dental insurance policies often reimburse a considerable share.
We can only give concrete figures after an examination. The costs depend on the number of implants, any preliminary treatment (e.g. bone augmentation), the choice of materials and the type of replacement teeth. You will receive a detailed, transparent treatment and cost plan from us.
Important note
Every implant treatment is a medical procedure with an individual course. Concrete statements about the chances of success, duration and costs can only be made after a personal examination. The information given here does not replace a consultation with your dentist.