Dental Implants

The principle of dental implants is that a titanium screw is drilled into the jaw bone and grows together with the surrounding bone material to form a firm and stable support unit. The dental implant replaces the missing natural tooth root. Frequently the bone needs time to grow together with the implant. After this healing time the implant is firmly joined with the bone and may be fully loaded.

There are different structures, that might be placed on a dental implant.

A dental implant is a small titanium screw that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing tooth. During a small oral surgical procedure, the implant is inserted into the jaw bone. After the treatment, the implant knits together with the bone (osseointegration) and thus forms a firm base for fixed (crowns and bridges) and removable dentures (dental prostheses). All work is carried out in close collaboration with our ISO certified partner laboratory in Vienna.

Zahnimplantate: Zahnärzte am Stadtpark, Wien
Implantatgetragener Zahnersatz: Zahnärzte am Stadtpark, Wien

Implant-based dentures: Single-tooth crowns

Most frequently implants are placed after the extraction of one tooth, with the aims of replacing his function (biting, chewing, bone stimulation) and restoring the esthetic appearance. After inserting the implant into the jaw bone and the process of osseointegration, we place the crown on the abutment. As all other sorts of dentures, our crowns are produced in close collaboration with our dental laboratory and adapted individually in regard to all important details.

Implant-based dentures: Bridge on two implants

A dental bridge consists of two or more crowns joined together to replace (“to bridge”) missing teeth. An implant-borne bridge is a very good solution, if several teeth in sequence are missing. In this case, we place two implants into the jaw bone, so that the single bridge elements (crowns) can reach from one end to the other (= from one implant to the other).

You can also consider to close a gap with a conventional dental bridge (not implant-borne). However, an important advantage of the implant-borne alternative is, that no adjacent teeth must be grinded for fixing the bridge. In case of a conventional dental bridge, the bridge elements, which replace the missing teeth, are supported on the adjacent teeth, so when using a conventional bridge, at least two adjacent teeth must be grinded even if they are healthy, which means that valuable tooth substance is lost. When placing implants, no adjacent teeth need to be grinded; their natural substance remains totally intact.

Implantatgetragener Zahnersatz: Brücke auf zwei Implantaten
Implantatgetragener Zahnersatz: Zahnärzte am Stadtpark Wien

Implant-based dentures: Dental prosthesis on two or four implants

Implants serve not only as support for fixed restorations, but are also an excellent foundation for dental prostheses. As in many other fields of dentistry, there have been also many developments within the area of removable dentures – dentures of the new generation have nothing in common with the once widespread image of teeth in a glas of water by the bed. However, for many people with a removable denture biting and chewing are still more difficult than before and many prosthesis wearer feel restricted and unsecure when it comes to eating, speaking and laughing.

The placement of two or four implants on which the restorative prosthesis can be attached is an elegant solution to greatly increase its hold and to the keep the prosthesis securely in place. Compared to conventional dental prostheses, implant-supported prostheses provide a greater level of comfort and safety. They allow patients to enjoy their meals, bite powerfully, speak without problems and laugh self-confidently, what also results in a substantial improvement of the quality of life.

All-on-4

Implant-based dentures: Dental bridges on four or six implants in cases of complete toothlessness

High-quality dental restorations and durable new teeth, that feel as if they were your own and thus bring back self-confidence in a relatively short period of time: The All-on-4/-6-concept makes it possible to permanently replace all teeth of the jaw. The restoration is fixed (without removal as in the case of a conventional dental prosthesis) and consists of dental bridges, which rest on only four or six implants – a concept, that ensures not only a fixed position, but also a gentle treatment in cases of complete toothlessness.

This treatment concept is a minimally invasive solution for the lower and upper jar and allows a high-quality fixed full-arch restoration. The innovative idea behind the concept is the exact positioning of implants at a special angle. Tilting of the implants avoids the need for bone grafting procedures and allows a comprehensive treatment without any significant burden and stress for the patient.

All-on-4: Implantatgetragener Zahnersatz: Zahnärzte am Stadtpark, Wien
All-on-4 Zahnimplantate: Zahnärzte am Stadtpark
All-on-4 Zahnimplantate: Zahnärzte am Stadtpark
All-on-4 Zahnimplantate: Zahnärzte am Stadtpark

Implants – advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

  • Compared to other types of dentures, implants have the great benefit of substituting the natural root of a tooth. Thus, the jaw bone is constantly being stimulated in a natural way (by the pressure that is transmitted via the implant), which counteracts bone loss and its associated problems and consequences such as the possible need for bone grafting.
  • Also, when roots are replaced with the tiny cylinders, the overlying restoration gains the stability necessary for all oral functions, what means that the dental implants will give the same bite strength as natural teeth. This also applies particularly for implant-based prostheses, which provide a greater level of comfort and safety in comparison with conventional prostheses. Furthermore, there is no need to grind down healthy teeth when placing implants (as it is necessary for bridges).
  • In sum, implants offer significant advantages: A better functionality and esthetics, no bone resorption due to unloaded bone, no damage to neighboring healthy teeth, and longer viability.

Disadvantages:

  • However, it is also important to consider that (1.) dental implants are expensive and that treatment costs are usually higher compared to other types of dentures (however, it must also be remembered that implants are more durable than other types of dentures, which may relativize the costs in the long term) and, (2.) that the placing of dental implants is a surgical procedure. In some cases, there is a need for pretreatment (bone augmentation) and as the process of osseointegration might last several weeks, the total time of treatment may be extended.

Get in touch

Do you have questions regarding Dental Implants?

We would be pleased to advise you and are looking forward to your request.

Zahnärzte am Stadtpark
Salesianergasse 4/3
1030 – Wien

FAQs about Dental Implants

What are the costs for a dental implant?

Due to the legal regulations in Austria we are not allowed to write prices online. We are happy to advise you in detail during a meeting in our office.

Does the health insurance cover the costs for an implant?

Unfortunately, the Wiener Gebietskrankenkasse does not cover the costs for dental implants. BVA, KFA, and SVA pay a share of the therapy costs of approx. € 200.00 per implant. However, this has to be approved for each patient individually and cannot be guaranteed in advance.

Is the insertion of an implant painful?

The healing time varies from patient to patient and depends on factors like the individual bone composition and the exact site of implantation. Sometimes a crown may be affixed immediately to the dental implant, while in other cases up to three months have to pass, until the dental implant can bear weight.

What is the healing time for a dental implant?

The healing time varies from patient to patient and depends on factors like the individual bone composition and the exact site of implantation. Sometimes a crown may be affixed immediately to the dental implant, while in other cases up to three months have to pass, until the dental implant can bear weight.

Is a bone augmentation necessary prior to each dental implantation?

In some cases the jaw bone is already strongly degraded, so that an implantation is not possible. Then a bone augmentation is required, to provide enough bone material for the implant. Several techniques are eligible for each individual situation.

What is the rest period after an implantation?

In the first 48 hours a very slight swelling may occur and the wound area might be a little sensitive. In this phase it is recommended to avoid strenuous physical activity and to refrain from hard food. On the first day after the treatment hot food and drinks should be avoided.

What is the life expectation of dental implants?

The life expectation of a dental implant is more than 95 percent after five years, after 20 years the life expectation is nearly 85 percent. These numbers show the high reliability and safety of the implant therapy.

Is normal chewing possible with a dental implant?

Yes, after the healing time dental implants can be treated like your own teeth. Patients with dental implants may chew, talk and laugh normally.