What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are placed in place of lost or damaged teeth. These implants placed in the jawbone mimic the functions of natural tooth roots, allowing individuals who have lost teeth to regain their old smiles and chewing functions. Dental implants are made of biocompatible materials such as titanium, so they fuse strongly with the jawbone and are quite durable for long-term use.

A dental implant consists of three main components:

1. Implant Screw (Artificial Tooth Root): The dentist places the titanium screw implant to be placed in the jawbone.

2. Abutment (Connection Piece): The metal or zirconium connection piece placed on the implant screw is necessary to place the prosthetic tooth on it.

3. Prosthetic Tooth: The aesthetic prosthesis that sits on the abutment and mimics the tooth allows the implant to look functionally and visually like a natural tooth.

Dental implant treatment is a long-lasting and reliable treatment option, and also provides a similar appearance and function to natural teeth.

What are Dental Implants Used For?

Dental implants are a treatment option that improves the quality of life of individuals who have lost teeth. Tooth loss can create both aesthetic and functional problems, especially difficulty chewing, speech problems and loss of self-confidence. Dental implants are used to solve such problems.

The areas of use of dental implants are as follows:

Single Tooth Loss: In the case of a single tooth loss, a single dental implant can be placed and a single prosthetic tooth can be made on it.

Multiple Tooth Loss: In cases where several teeth are lost, a bridge or prosthetic tooth can be made by placing several dental implants.

Complete Edentulousness: If the upper or lower jaw is completely toothless, a series of dental implants (such as All-on-4 or All-on-6) can be applied to replace the teeth with a full prosthesis.

Cases with Jawbone Insufficiency: In patients with jawbone loss, the jawbone can be strengthened with bone grafts and implants can be placed on it.

Implants are not only aesthetic and functional, but also contribute to general oral health. Tooth loss can cause neighbouring teeth to shift. Dental implants prevent this problem and help teeth stay in place healthily.

What are the Types of Dental Implants?

Dental implants can be produced in various types according to different needs and jaw structure. The type of implant to be used is determined by the patient's jaw structure, bone density and general health status. Here are the most commonly used implant types:

Endosteal Implants

Endosteal implants are the most commonly used implant type that is placed directly into the jawbone. These implants, usually made of titanium, are screwed into the jawbone and abutted with a prosthetic tooth. This type of implant, which is suitable for most patients, can be used in cases of single tooth loss or multiple tooth loss.

Subperiosteal Implants

Subperiosteal implants are placed on a special frame placed on the upper part of the jawbone. This type of implant is used in patients whose jawbone is not strong enough. In cases where bone gain cannot be achieved with bone grafting, subperiosteal implants can be preferred.

Zirconium Implants

Zirconium implants provide excellent aesthetic results. This type of non-metal implant is made of zirconium ceramic and is especially suitable for patients with metal allergies. Zirconium implants best imitate the natural color of the tooth and offer aesthetic results.

Mini Implants

Mini implants are smaller and thinner implants. They are preferred in patients whose jawbone is not wide enough, who have smaller or weak bone structure. Mini implants are generally used to provide support to the lower jaw or upper jaw in cases of edentulism.

All-on-4 Implants

All-on-4 implants offer a great solution for patients who have lost their jawbone but still have sufficient bone volume. With this method, only four implants are placed in the jawbone and a full set of teeth are placed on these implants. All-on-4 is one of the fastest and most effective solution methods for patients with edentulism.

All-on-6 Implants

All-on-6 implants are an improved version of the All-on-4 method. Six implants are placed for the lower jaw or upper jaw, creating a full set of teeth. This method extends the life of the implants by providing more support.

How Does the Dental Implant Process Work?

The dental implant treatment process consists of several stages. The process may vary for each patient, but the following steps are generally followed:

1. Initial Assessment and Planning

The first step is to evaluate the patient's oral and jaw health. The dentist collects information about the condition of your jawbone using imaging techniques such as X-ray or tomography. In addition, the dentist evaluates the patient's general health and checks their suitability for implant treatment.

2. Implant Placement

Implant treatment is usually performed under local anesthesia. The dentist places the titanium implant in the jawbone. This procedure usually takes 1-2 hours and the patient does not need to stay in the hospital in case of complications. Stitches are placed after the implant is placed.

3. Healing and Osteointegration Process

After the implant is placed, the process of fusing the jawbone with the implant (osteointegration) begins. This process usually lasts between 3-6 months. During this time, a strong bond is formed between the implant and the jawbone.

4. Abutment Placement

After the implant has fused with the bone, the connecting piece called the abutment is placed. The abutment is necessary to secure the prosthetic tooth. This procedure is usually performed with local anesthesia.

5. Prosthetic Tooth Placement

In the final step, a custom-designed prosthetic tooth is placed on the abutment. This tooth is aesthetically prepared to match the patient's natural teeth. The patient can now chew, speak, and smile normally with their new tooth.

Advantages and Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants offer a perfect solution for individuals who have lost teeth. These structures, which are like natural teeth in terms of aesthetics, fuse with the jawbone to form a solid and long-lasting structure. Unlike other dental prostheses, dental implants do not harm the surrounding teeth and are only placed in place of the missing tooth. This ensures the protection of healthy teeth. At the same time, they fully perform functions such as chewing and speaking and provide comfort in daily life.

Implants prevent osteoporosis by supporting the jawbone, which helps the jaw structure to remain healthy. Dental implants are durable in the long term and can be used for 20 years or more with proper care. In addition, they eliminate problems such as slipping and loosening encountered in traditional dentures and provide a stable and safe solution. In oral care, they can be cleaned with simple routines such as brushing and flossing. As a result, dental implants offer an ideal treatment option for individuals who have lost teeth with their aesthetic, functional and long-lasting features and significantly increase their quality of life.

What are the Disadvantages of Dental Implants?

Although dental implants offer an effective solution for tooth loss, they also have some potential disadvantages. First of all, implant treatment can generally be more expensive than traditional dentures. The cost of an implant can be higher than other treatment options due to the complexity of the treatment process, the materials used, and the fact that it is a procedure that requires expertise. In addition, some patients may require additional procedures such as bone grafting before the implant can be placed. If the jawbone is not healthy enough, an additional treatment process may be required, which may extend the treatment period. Implant treatment can take several months to complete because the implant needs time to fuse with the jawbone. During this time, some patients may have to use temporary dentures.

However, like any treatment, dental implants also carry some risks. Complications such as infection, bleeding, or the implant not fusing with the jawbone can occur, although rare. However, such problems can usually be prevented with good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups. Suitability for dental implant treatment is also different for each individual; In particular, factors such as systemic diseases (e.g. diabetes, heart disease) and smoking can affect the treatment process. Finally, some patients may experience mild discomfort, such as pain or swelling, during the post-treatment recovery period. However, such effects are usually temporary and improve over time. Despite all these disadvantages, dental implants offer a safe and effective solution for most people.

What are the differences between All-on 4 Dental and All-on 6 Dental Implant treatment?

All-on-4 and All-on-6 dental implant treatments are effective methods used to provide a full set of teeth for individuals who have lost teeth. Both treatments provide a fixed dental prosthesis with several implants placed in the jawbone, providing a safer and more durable solution than traditional dentures. However, there are some important differences between All-on-4 and All-on-6 treatments. Here are the main differences between these two treatments:

1. Number of Implants

In the All-on-4 treatment, only 4 implants are placed for the upper or lower jaw. These 4 implants are sufficient to fix the dental prosthesis and are strategically placed in the jawbone.

In the All-on-6 treatment, 6 implants are used to place the same prosthesis. This provides more support and offers greater stability.

2. Fixation and Stability

Since All-on-4 can be done with fewer implants, it can sometimes be more suitable in cases where the jawbone is not strong enough. 4 implants put less load on the jawbone and can sometimes be applied with a shorter treatment period.

Since All-on-6 uses more implants, it provides more stability and durability to the dental prosthesis. Especially in cases where wider dental prostheses are required or if the jawbone is not sufficient, All-on-6 treatment can be preferred.

3. Application Time

All-on-4 can usually be completed in a shorter period of time, because only 4 implants will be placed, and the recovery period can also be faster.

All-on-6 treatment can take a little longer because it requires two additional implants, and the recovery process can also be a little longer. However, since these additional implants provide more stability in the long term, it can be ideal especially for patients with weak jawbones.

4. Jawbone Condition

All-on-4 can be suitable for patients with sufficient jawbone but slightly weakened. This treatment, which is performed with only 4 implants, can be applied even in cases where there is jawbone loss. In addition, since the implants are placed at a more forward angle, the existing bone can be used more efficiently.

All-on-6 can be preferred in patients who have lost or weakened more of their jawbone. Six implants provide more security to the jawbone and provide a better hold in cases where there is bone loss.

5. Treatment Cost

All-on-4 treatment can generally be more economical since 4 implants are used. Since both application and prosthesis costs can be lower, this treatment option can be more budget friendly.

All-on-6 can generally be more expensive since more implants are used. Since it requires more implants and a longer treatment process, costs can increase.

6. Long-Term Results

All-on-4 treatment generally provides good results, but in some cases, there may be concerns about long-term stability, especially in patients with very weak jaw bones due to the fewer number of implants.

All-on-6 treatment can offer longer-lasting results by using more implants. The extra implants provide greater contact with the jawbone, resulting in stronger stability and durability in the long term.