Dental Implants
A dental implant is a titanium artificial tooth root placed in the jawbone to replace a missing tooth. Learn how implant treatment, healing and aftercare work at ADEN Dental in Ankara.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small, screw-shaped artificial tooth root, usually made of titanium, that is placed into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth. Once it has fused with the surrounding bone, it provides a stable foundation for a crown, bridge or denture, restoring both the function and the appearance of the missing tooth.
Titanium is a biocompatible material that the body tolerates well and that can bond directly with bone tissue. This bonding process is known as osseointegration and forms the biological basis of implant treatment, allowing chewing forces to be transferred to the bone much like a natural tooth root. This load transfer may also help slow down the bone loss that can develop over time in areas where teeth are missing.
Implants can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth or a complete arch. Unlike a conventional bridge, an implant does not require the neighbouring healthy teeth to be ground down. You can read more about how implants work in our article on what a dental implant is.
What Are the Parts of an Implant-Supported Tooth?
An implant-supported tooth consists of three main components. The harmony between these parts matters for both chewing function and a natural appearance.
- Implant body: the titanium screw placed in the jawbone that acts as the tooth root
- Abutment: the connector piece that links the implant to the restoration
- Restoration: the crown, bridge or denture fixed on top of the implant
Who Is a Suitable Candidate?
Implant treatment is considered for adults whose jawbone has finished growing and whose general health allows a minor surgical procedure. Suitability depends on bone volume, bone density, gum health and any existing medical conditions. Age alone is not a barrier; what matters is the patient's overall health and the condition of the mouth.
Uncontrolled diabetes, advanced bone loss, certain medications — for example drugs that affect bone metabolism — previous radiotherapy to the head and neck, and heavy smoking can all influence planning. For this reason, the definitive treatment plan is determined through a detailed clinical examination and radiographic assessment by the dentist.
- Patients missing a single tooth who prefer not to involve the neighbouring teeth
- Patients with several missing teeth who are looking for a fixed restoration instead of a removable denture
- Denture wearers who want better stability and chewing comfort
- Patients who have been without teeth for a long time and wish to regain chewing function
What If the Bone Volume Is Insufficient?
Long-standing tooth loss, gum disease or trauma can reduce the volume of the jawbone. In such cases, bone grafting may be planned before or at the same time as implant placement, and in the back regions of the upper jaw a sinus lift can raise the sinus floor to create sufficient bone height.
These additional procedures are routine applications within oral and maxillofacial surgery and allow the implant to be placed with adequate bone support. The appropriate technique is determined through three-dimensional imaging and a clinical examination.
What Restoration Options Can Implants Support?
Depending on the number and position of the missing teeth, several types of restoration can be planned on implants. A single implant can carry an individual crown, while two or more implants can support a fixed bridge without touching the natural teeth.
In cases of complete tooth loss, implant-retained removable dentures or fixed full-arch restorations supported by four to six implants may be considered. The All-on-4 technique, in which a fixed prosthesis is supported by four implants, is one of the options that can be evaluated in suitable cases of complete tooth loss. The most appropriate option is decided together with the patient after clinical and radiographic evaluation.
- Single-tooth implant: an individual crown fixed on one implant
- Implant-supported bridge: a fixed bridge carried by two or more implants when several teeth are missing
- Implant-retained overdenture: a removable denture stabilised by a small number of implants
- Fixed full-arch restoration: a prosthesis fixed on four to six implants for a completely edentulous jaw
How Does the Process Work at ADEN Dental?
At our clinic in the Çukurambar district of Ankara, implant treatment proceeds in three main stages: examination and planning, the surgical stage and the prosthetic stage. Keeping the patient fully informed and planning the process transparently is central at every step.
Examination and Planning
Treatment begins with a comprehensive oral examination. Panoramic X-rays and, where necessary, three-dimensional dental tomography are used to assess bone volume, bone density and anatomical structures such as the sinuses and nerves.
During the planning stage, the number, diameter, length and position of the implants are defined, and the patient's medical history and current medications are reviewed. If the bone volume is insufficient, additional procedures such as bone grafting or a sinus lift are included in the plan, and the treatment timeline is shared with the patient.
The Surgical Stage
The implant is usually placed under local anaesthesia, and a single implant typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. The aim is a comfortable procedure without pain during placement; sedation options can be discussed with the dentist if desired.
After the implant is placed, the area is closed with sutures and the healing period begins. In suitable cases a temporary crown may be attached to the implant; this decision is made by the dentist based on the initial stability of the implant in the bone.
The Prosthetic Stage
Once osseointegration is complete, conventional impressions or a digital scan with an intraoral scanner are taken, and the permanent crown or prosthesis is fabricated in the laboratory and attached to the implant. Chewing function and aesthetics are restored in this way. Regular follow-up appointments then monitor the health of the implant and the surrounding tissues.
How Long Does Healing Take?
The fusion of the implant with the bone usually takes between two and six months, depending on bone quality, the treated area and individual healing capacity. The lower jaw often heals faster than the upper jaw because its bone is denser. This waiting period is necessary for the implant to become strong enough to carry chewing forces.
Mild swelling, tenderness or discomfort may occur in the first few days after surgery. These symptoms are usually managed with the pain relief and cold compresses recommended by the dentist and subside within a short time. If they last longer than expected, contacting the clinic is advised.
What Should You Pay Attention to During Healing?
Simple precautions in the first days support uneventful healing. Your dentist's individual recommendations always take priority.
- Avoid touching the surgical site, spitting or using a straw in the first 24 hours
- Prefer soft, lukewarm foods at first and avoid very hot food and drinks
- Take the prescribed medication as directed and keep your follow-up appointments
- Stay away from smoking and alcohol as much as possible during healing
What Affects Long-Term Success?
The long-term function of an implant depends on many factors, including bone quality, oral hygiene, general health and regular check-ups. Smoking and uncontrolled systemic diseases can increase the risk of inflammation in the tissues around the implant. Teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism) can also increase the load on the implant, so a night guard may be recommended where necessary.
Peri-implantitis, an inflammation of the tissues surrounding an implant, is a condition that can be treated when detected early. Regular dental check-ups help identify potential problems at an early stage so that they can be addressed in time.
How Should You Care for Your Implant?
The long-term health of an implant depends largely on daily oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups. The gum tissue around an implant needs the same careful attention as the gums around natural teeth, as inflammation in this area can affect the supporting bone.
You can find detailed guidance on daily routines and stage-by-stage recommendations in our article on implant aftercare. Maintaining these habits supports the health of the tissues around the implant in the long term.
- Brush twice a day and clean around the implant with interdental brushes or floss
- Attend check-ups and professional cleanings at the intervals recommended by your dentist, usually every six months
- Reduce or stop smoking, as it can impair healing and gum health
- Avoid biting on hard objects or using your teeth as tools
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, so pain is not expected during placement. Mild soreness or sensitivity afterwards usually settles within a few days with the pain relief recommended by your dentist.
Placing a single implant usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. Including the healing period of two to six months and the prosthetic stage, the complete treatment is generally finished within three to eight months.
With good daily oral hygiene and regular check-ups, implants can remain in function for many years. Their lifespan depends on individual factors such as oral hygiene, general health and smoking.
Titanium is biocompatible, so rejection in the classical sense does not occur. In rare cases an implant may fail to integrate with the bone; after evaluation, the area can usually be re-planned and treated again.
Implants may not be appropriate for people whose jaw growth is not complete, or for patients with uncontrolled systemic disease, previous radiotherapy to the head and neck, or the use of certain medications. The final decision is made after a clinical examination and imaging.
Soft, lukewarm foods are recommended for the first few days. Depending on healing, most patients gradually return to their normal diet within a few weeks, following their dentist's guidance.
For a conventional bridge, the healthy teeth on either side of the gap are ground down and used as supports; with an implant, the neighbouring teeth are left untouched and the missing tooth is replaced on its own artificial root. The suitable option is determined by the dentist after assessing the teeth and the bone.
Smoking reduces the blood supply of the oral tissues, which can slow healing and increase the risk of inflammation around the implant. Smoking does not rule out implants entirely, but reducing or stopping it at least during the healing period is recommended.
Under suitable conditions, an implant can be placed in the same session as the extraction; this is called immediate implant placement. If there is infection in the area or insufficient bone support, healing is awaited first. The decision is made by the dentist after examination and imaging.
Crowns with a zirconia framework or all-ceramic crowns are most commonly used on implants; porcelain fused to metal is another available option. The material is chosen together with the dentist, considering the position of the tooth, chewing forces and aesthetic expectations.