Dental Implants

What, in essence, is a dental implant?

Procedures for placing dental implants are among the most common procedures for maintaining oral health. In fact, very few people know that Israel is first in the world in the field of dental implant placement, performing the highest number of such procedures per capita.

Two main components are used in restoring teeth — the implant itself and the crown. We work exclusively with Swiss Straumann implants, which are recognised as the benchmark of quality and reliability worldwide. It is a titanium root that integrates beautifully into the jaw without side effects. For the crown we use high-grade porcelain or zirconia.

How long does dental implantation take, and what does it depend on?

In some cases a dental implant can be placed in a single day, but in others dental implantation can take several weeks or even months. The duration of treatment depends on the general health and the condition of the patient's mouth; at our clinic we are committed to doing everything to plan the implant procedure so that the implant integrates well into the mouth, doing so without rushing and without putting the patient at risk.

Therefore, the first and most important step in the implant process is diagnostics, in which we check the condition of the small bones that supported the now-missing tooth — whether they are in the right place and have enough volume, since it is these bones that must support the implant. If there is not enough bone tissue, additional bone grafting may be required, and the process will then become longer, in which we cannot carry out a quick implant placement. All complex surgical procedures and bone augmentation are overseen by Dr. Guy Sharon (25+ years of experience in Israel and the UK).

There are other factors that can affect the possibility of a fast implant-placement process — background conditions such as diabetes or osteoporosis, as well as harmful habits such as smoking or bruxism.

It is important to note that the duration of treatment depends, of course, on how many implants need to be placed — one or several, or perhaps a full reconstruction of the mouth is required. The number of implants placed naturally affects the complexity of the process.

How do you prepare for dental implantation?

First we need to take your medical history; you must tell us about all medical issues that may affect the implant procedure, the medications you take, and harmful habits such as smoking or bruxism. We then take a panoramic X-ray or perform a CT scan of the mouth and find out whether you should take antibiotics before the implant procedure begins. Before starting the procedures, we strongly recommend that you stop smoking and carefully maintain your oral hygiene.

Is the implant procedure dangerous?

Dental implantation has been carried out for several decades, and the doctors' capabilities, equipment and materials have only improved over time. This procedure has been performed for more than four decades, and its success rates approach 100%.

However, with any medical intervention there is a risk of certain complications, which it is important to be aware of. With dental implantation there is a certain risk of damage to the nerves in the placement area, damage to the maxillary sinuses, problems with the implant integrating into the mouth, and the occurrence of inflammation caused by infection. To reduce the risk of likely complications, choose a qualified doctor you trust, make sure they use quality materials, and follow all the instructions of the clinic's medical staff.

How do you make sure implants integrate and the implantation is successful?

There is no doubt that the success rate of the implant procedure depends on the treating doctor, the quality of the restorative materials and, to be honest, a little on your luck too. Nevertheless, there are some things the patient can do themselves to ensure the procedure's success.

The main thing you can do is stop smoking, which impairs blood circulation and reduces the chances of success of any treatment procedure. Secondly, it is important not to eat hard, very hot or very cold food, especially in the first days after implantation.

Please note, it is important to come to the clinic for examinations and procedures at the scheduled times and to carefully maintain your oral health. This means you must brush your teeth as instructed by the doctors and use the recommended dental products, clean between the teeth, and take antibiotics if they were prescribed by the doctor.