Dental Implants | Esthetic Dentistry
Periodontology | Dr. George Makris & Co.

Dental implants offer a modern and effective solution for restoring missing teeth. Through the placement of biocompatible titanium implants, patients can enjoy a natural appearance and functionality as the implants integrate into the jawbone, providing stability and durability. This process is minimally invasive, with minimal recovery time, while patients are fully informed about the steps of the treatment and the care required after placement. Dental implants are an ideal choice for those who wish to regain their smile and confidence while enjoying healthy oral hygiene.

What is a dental implant?

It is the equivalent of a tooth. In fact, the implant corresponds to the “root” of the tooth. It has the shape of a screw and is placed into the jawbone. What is visible in the mouth (the tooth) is a natural porcelain tooth supported by the implant (root).

Where can a dental implant be used?

An implant can be used when one, several, or all teeth are missing.

A. Missing a single tooth
The implant replaces a tooth, especially a front tooth, to avoid using adjacent healthy teeth.

B. Missing multiple teeth
It is indicated in cases where back teeth (molars) are missing and a fixed prosthesis (bridge) is not desirable. The implant is also used where there are large gaps and it is difficult or impossible to make a bridge using only the existing teeth due to the distance between them.

C. Missing all teeth
Implants are indicated in two cases:

• when someone does not want to wear dentures. With implants, one can have their “own” teeth.
• when dentures are not bothersome but there is difficulty in retention. In this case, only two implants can keep the dentures stable (“snap” into place) in the mouth.

What is the failure rate?

The failure rate depends on the experience of the dentist. In specialized and experienced dentists, the failure rates are less than 1%.
In case of failure, the cause is purely technical. Even in this case, the implant can be replaced without any problem.

What is the lifespan of implants, and how much do they cost?

With proper care, implants can last a lifetime.
At first glance, the cost of implants is significantly higher than that of a conventional bridge or denture.

However, in the long run, if one considers that a conventional bridge or denture needs to be replaced 2-3 times, the total cost becomes lower.

Does age play a role in implant placement?

No the only exception is children. In their case, development must be completed before implant placement (after the age of 16-18 years).

Is implant placement painful?
How many days should I be absent from work?

Not at all. It usually bothers much less than an extraction. In cases where multiple implants are placed in the same procedure, mild swelling and some pain may occur, which can be controlled with a simple painkiller.

Most of the time, one can return to work immediately after the procedure. When multiple implants are placed, a weekend break allows for returning to work on Monday without any problems.

How long until I have my new teeth?
Will I be without teeth during the treatment?

From the first visit, it usually takes 6-12 weeks to complete the treatment. During the treatment, temporary restorations are made to provide satisfactory chewing, speaking, and aesthetic appearance.

Do I need to stop smoking during the treatment?

As with many other situations, smoking can cause problems.
Therefore, it is recommended to reduce or even stop smoking for at least 1 week after the procedure because smoking affects the healing process.

Do implants require special care?

No. Just like natural teeth, daily brushing and regular visits to the doctor are sufficient.

Are all implants the same?

Definitely not.
Today, there are more than 100 different implant companies on the global market and several thousand individual components.

However, the implant companies that present documented scientific studies tracking the behavior of their implants over 5-10 years, as required by international standards, are fewer than five. This means these implants have higher costs because continuous research documentation is difficult and requires significant funding.

Imitations of these implants from other copycat companies may offer “potentially” cheaper implants without scientific guarantees for their prognosis. Another important factor is that a reliable company provides and supports spare parts and materials over time for any needs that arise.

Therefore, not all implants are the same, just as their behavior over time is not the same.

How much do implants cost?

This is the most common question immediately asked by the patient. It should be understood that the price of an implant includes many expenses.

• Initially, the surgical procedure
• the surgical components
• the possibility of bone grafting or special membranes placement
• the value of the implant
• then the cost of the prosthetic restoration (that is, the placement of the tooth), which includes the special prosthetic components and materials, the cost of dental technicians, etc.

Another factor that shapes the cost is the overall condition of the mouth and the number of required implants. For the same case, two doctors may suggest different treatment plans that include more extractions and a greater number of implants, or conversely, keeping more teeth and fewer implants. It is also possible that two different doctors may require more or fewer implants depending on their experience with the same gap in the mouth. Additionally, if your doctor chooses to work with a “copycat” implant system (see the question “Are all implants the same?”), the cost will be lower for them and possibly for you.

Therefore, you should choose the doctor who will guarantee the restoration of your mouth and the long-term survival of the implants with a proposed cost that includes all possibilities, from surgical grafts to the possible loss of an implant and its replacement guarantee!

Are there guarantees from European organizations for the safety of implants?

Unfortunately, the guarantees provided with the CE or ISO marks concern manufacturing data. That is, they certify the production of implants under specific conditions. They do not certify their clinical behavior over time. This is only confirmed after systematic clinical research that includes the necessary scientific documentation.

Do the teeth need to be removed for implants to be placed?

No. It has been proven that treated teeth, both from gingivitis and from cavities, can be preserved as long as they are properly restored, just like implants. Properly placed implants in the mouth can also help the good prognosis of the remaining teeth.

What is the lifespan of implants?

Scientific statistics in international literature indicate that over a 10-year period, implant loss is less than 5%. In our clinic, we guarantee the survival of implants for “a lifetime” as long as we monitor and check their condition regularly. Even if some problems occur, the design we aim for gives us the ability to correct them!

The problems one might face are of two types. The first is infections due to neglected oral hygiene! Implants show similar conditions to gingivitis or periodontitis, which undermine their support with inflammation phenomena. The second possible problem is mechanical in nature, when the forces are greater than those the chewing system can withstand.

In both cases, only systematic monitoring (once or twice a year) can guarantee the longevity of your implants, and this monitoring is your responsibility, as well as your treating doctor’s.

Does the body reject implants?

Absolutely not.
Implants are made from pure titanium, a material compatible with the body.
Moreover, titanium has been used for many years in orthopedics without any problems.

The body does not reject dental implants, and this is a scientifically documented position. This, of course, applies to those implants that are made under specified conditions and with reliable techniques, something that only a few companies can demonstrate with scientific and research data.

It is possible that if a doctor uses “opportunistic” implants from companies that do not apply control methods, serious problems may arise. Another source of problems is the incorrect technique of the medical team. These two causes of failures can then be attributed to a process of rejection by the body. However, in reality, it is not the body at fault. These are “problematic materials” and “problematic techniques”.

Can teeth be placed immediately with implants?

Yes, under certain conditions. In the international literature, success rates for immediate loading (the definition for placing teeth the same day as the surgical placement of implants) are high only for the lower jaw area and if several other conditions are met (bone density, number of implants, patient’s muscle system). In other cases, failure rates may range from 20-40%.

Why should we know what type of implant the doctor is placing?

First, because only a few companies conduct primary research. They research the behavior of implants under various factors and provide this information.

Second, large companies also provide warranties for their implants. That is, if one is lost due to biological or mechanical reasons, they replace it for free with the doctor.

Third, knowing the type of implant is important so that another doctor can find the appropriate spare parts (for restoration/repair of a potential problem).

Finally, it is important that the companies are reliable because only they keep spare parts for many years, while smaller companies unfortunately withdraw their old lines of components, making the prosthetic restoration useless in case of a problem.

Is there a warranty for implant work?

Our clinic has been collaborating for 20 years with only one implant company, the Swiss Straumann. The reason is that

1. This company is one of the first, if not the first, to have continuous research in the field of implantology and produce primary knowledge that other companies use.
2. It always maintains the ability to find spare parts because it keeps a stock of spare parts even for the first versions of implants.
3. The industrial production of the implants is done by the same company and not outsourced to another company.
4. It has not been acquired so that it stops producing old lines of components.
5. It provides a warranty for its implants (it replaces them after a standard procedure).

Therefore, yes! Our clinic provides a warranty for the implants and their surgical replacement. Of course, it cannot cover the costs of dental laboratory work if they arise.

Is there a non-traumatic or bloodless implant placement procedure?

The answer is no! Any implant placement requires drilling into the bone. Automatically, this is trauma and causes bleeding. Therefore, there is no non-traumatic or bloodless technique. This term refers to a very small and limited surgical approach that can be performed in many ways! We believe that minimal intervention, not surgery for the sake of surgery, shows respect for the patient who seeks effectiveness, speed, and precision.

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