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HOW DO I KNOW IF I CAN HAVE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

 

With the progress of the dental implant industry and the different sizes of implants, almost everyone can have dental implants nowadays. After clinical examination and X-rays and medical history assessment, we can tell whether you are able to have dental implants or not. As long as we have some bone to work with, then treatment is viable. There are very few cases where implant treatment is not possible.   

Success rate for dental implant is above 97%, which means that out of 100 patients, 97 have no complications and all implants heal uneventfully.

 

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I AM OVER 70, CAN I HAVE IMPLANTS?

 

Age by itself does not matter. More important is the bone volume. You can have dental implants when you are 18 or when you are 80. If you feel that you want it and are physically fit, you can easily go through the treatment.

 

 

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I HAVE SNAPPED A CROWN/TOOTH. WHAT'S NEXT?

 

You will have X-rays and an examination to assess you for an immediate implant placement. The root/tooth is taken out, the socket is cleaned, and in the same session an implant goes in. If the bone is dense, you might even get a temporary tooth fitted on the same day.

If the root is infected you will need artificial bone and collagen membrane to compensate for bone loss.

If the socket is not suitable for same-session implant placement, an implant can be placed at a later stage, once the socket has matured.

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SHOULD I HAVE A BRIDGE OR DENTAL IMPLANT? 

 

Whenever possible we always opt for an implant over a bridge. If we can avoid drilling down healthy neighbouring teeth just to fit a bridge, we chose to do so. An implant just fills the gap, and there is no need to touch adjacent healthy teeth. We were born with individual teeth and should aim to keep teeth individual for hygiene and maintenance reasons. If you have a problem with your bridge in future, it may affect all of the teeth on the bridge.

 

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I AM ON BLOOD THINNING MEDICATION. CAN I HAVE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

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Yes. If you are taking anticoagulant or anti-platelet drugs, you can still have surgery. For simpler surgical interventions, the risks of stopping or reducing these medication regimens (i.e., thromboembolism, stroke and heart attack) far outweigh the consequences of prolonged bleeding, which can be controlled with local measures in the mouth.

 

 

If you having a major surgery and are on multiple dual dose medications and/or have other blood coagulation diseases, please speak to your surgeon and responsible physician for a safe approach and drug management.

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I HAVE FOUND A CHEAPER PRICE  FOR THE SAME PROCEDURE SOMEWHERE ELSE.

 

If you can show us your X-rays and quote and treatment plan from another clinic, and if we share the same view and approach to the treatment plan as they do, we will do our best to match your quote.

 

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I HAVE OSTEOPOROSIS. CAN I HAVE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

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Patients with osteoporosis are not a contraindication for dental implants. Successful dental implants rely on a series of clinical and biological factors such as bone architecture and stability. To achieve a predictable outcome, we work the bone carefully.

If you take oral bisphosphonates, you can still have dental implants.

If you are under intravenous bisphosphonates treatment, though, your implant treatment might be contraindicated until your general health is restored.

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DO I HAVE TO TAKE TIME OFF WORK?

 

For single or multiple implants, in general terms you don’t have to take time off work. Mild pain and discomfort is usually nothing that can’t be managed with painkillers, and it doesn't last more than 1-3 days.

For bone augmentation procedures and full arch cases (6-8 implants), some swelling and inflammation is to be expected and we would advise you to rest for two days before going back to work.

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We do not recommend planning any big events or important social gatherings for the first week after surgery.

We do not recommend going back to work the same day if you are working in customer service and have to do a lot of talking.

 

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DOES IT HURT?

 

The intervention itself should be completely pain free. You are given strong local anaesthetic and will be aware that we are working, but will feel no pain. If you happened to feel any discomfort during the treatment, you would have more anaesthetic topped up.

Patients rarely complain about any pain during treatment or implant installation. The one percent of patients who have chronic infections and cysts in the jawbone that needs to be scraped out, may feel it when we are clearing the infections for a few seconds.

If there is pain post-operatively, it is most intense during the first 6-8 hours, hence the importance taking the prescribed painkillers. On the second day it is usually mild discomfort, and third day just an awareness.

See the postoperative leaflet for more information. Read more

 

 

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WHAT CAN I DO AND NOT DO AFTER SURGERY?

 

For a full guide to postoperative Do’s and Don’ts regarding, healing, pain, bleeding, swelling, diet etc,

click here for information leaflet.

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WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER THAT MY NEW TOOTH/TEETH ARE FITTED?

 

The majority of patients need 1-2 weeks to get used to the new teeth. The more teeth that are replaced, the more settlement time is needed. If you haven't had a tooth or teeth in that gap for a long time and suddenly get a new piece fitted, it can initially feel “large and bulky.” But this is because your mouth and brain have got used to not having anything there for several years.

 

Once your teeth are fitted, we advise that you come back after four weeks maximum for a follow-up and last tightening of the screws that are holding your teeth in place, as they can loosen during the first week of usage.

 

 

 

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HOW LONG WILL MY IMPLANTS (S) AND MY NEW TOOTH/TEETH LAST?

 

Every time we place an implant and a new tooth, we do it in faith that it will last for the rest of your life! Experience and science show a different result, though. An implant is not immune to diseases – it behaves just like a natural tooth. If you don’t take care of it, it might fail just like your own natural teeth.

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80 out of 100 implants placed can easily last over 20 years and up to 30 years.

As long as the implant is still solid in the jawbone, the crown on top if it can be changed in the future if necessary.

Complicated cases with thin bone volumes, weak gums, or strong bites, heavy smokers, as a starting point can result in shorter longevity. But all these aspects will be explained before your treatment.

 

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I HAVE HEARD OF PEOPLE WITH FAILED IMPLANTS.  WHAT IS THE REASON FOR TAHT?

 

Some common reasons why people may have failing implants:

• Implant was loaded too early with the crown.

• Bone regeneration was slow and insufficient.

• Patient is on complicated drug therapy that affects general healing.

• Patient is a smoker.

• Patient has a complicated medical history that affects general healing.

• Patient did not care for his/her implants and did not attend regular check-ups.

• Implant was not placed by an experienced and qualified implant surgeon.

 

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WHAT HAPPENS IF MY IMPLANTS DOESN'T INTEGRATE?

 

If your implant does not integrate inside the jawbone, it can be removed and assessed for a new implant. As long as there is still bone available, we can always remove the old implant and place a new one. Nothing indicates that just because the first one did not integrate, the second one won’t. Sometimes it is just that your bone healing during the initial three months did not go as planned, but it will on the second attempt.

You have a warranty on your implant in such cases, but if you need artificial bone on the second attempt, there will be a fee for the material costs.

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WHAT TYPE OF ANAESTHESIA IS USED?

 

We use local anaesthetic of the type Ultracain and Lidocaine. If you are very nervous, we can offer a valium 5mg 

oral tablet, 1hour before the treatment. 

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WHAT MATERIAL OF IMPLANT AND CROWNS DO YOU USE?

 

Our implant is Titanium, completely biocompatible with the human body and tissues.

If you want to read more about our implant system click here. 

Single crowns and fixed bridges: metal ceramic or full ceramic (based on patient preference in consultation with dentist).

Semi-fixed snap-on teeth on implants: Acrylic with metal bar reinforcement.

 

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I’M TRAVELLING FROM ABROAD. HOW DO I NEED TO PLAN?

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Treatments that have been consulted online and accepted for procedure require an initial stay of minimum 5-10 days. After that, you can return to your home country while waiting for the healing of the implants inside the jawbone. After a minimum of three months, you need come back for the second phase of your treatment, which could take between 8-20 days depending on the number of teeth being replaced.

 

1st phase: 5-10 days

2nd phase: 8-20 days

 

If your total quote exceeds 3000€, we offer airport pickup and drop off at Malaga airport.

We also offer complimentary driver service to and from the clinic on the surgery day.