The most common, proven and durable implant material is titanium. The material was first used in 1965, and since then millions of people around the world have experienced titanium implants. Titanium, depending on its degree of purity, is divided into different grades. If other metals are added to titanium, we speak of titanium alloy. Titanium is the most bioglossic metallic material and can occur without any admixtures or as an alloy of titanium, vanadium and aluminum. Both versions perform perfectly and are widely used in the production of dental implants, according to adequate ISO standards.
More recently, zirconium implants, known as ceramic implants, have become an alternative to titanium implants. Zirconia ceramics, unlike metallic titanium, have a color that resembles that of a natural tooth. Nevertheless, because zirconium has been used in implantology for a relatively short time and far fewer observations and clinical studies have been conducted with it, titanium remains the more versatile, safe and suitable material used in implantology, especially in unusual clinical situations.

Titanium implants have excellent mechanical properties, as well as high corrosion resistance and high biocompatibility, i.e. the level of proper bonding with bone tissue. The human body treats the titanium implant as a fragment of its own body, producing neuronal connections responsible for the formation of the phenomenon of osteoperception, i.e. “sensing” the structure of the food consumed and the force that occurs when biting on the restored teeth just as it occurs in natural teeth. Besides, more than 50 years of using titanium in implantology have allowed us to get a perfect understanding of its properties, to perform numerous studies and observations, based on which we can firmly state that it is a safe and durable material.

Due to its unique properties, titanium has for years been the most desirable metallic material among biomaterials. It is assumed that pure titanium has no allergy-inducing components and is completely neutral to the body. It should be added, however, that titanium implants may contain admixtures of other metals (e.g., aluminum or vanadium) and it is these that can cause rare side reactions to the body. People who are allergic to metals may therefore want to check whether the proposed implant is made of pure titanium or its alloy with other elements and in what proportions. Since it is technologically more expensive to produce an implant without admixtures than one made from an alloy of titanium with other metals, such implants tend to cost more.

Implant crowns and implant bridges are types of implant-supported restorations used to restore tooth loss. In simple terms, it is the visible, outer part of the entire tooth restoration commonly referred to as an implant. The number of fixed implant crowns does not have to be equal to the number of implants placed, and the type of restoration proposed (implant bridge / implant crown) depends on the particular clinical situation and patient preference. An alternative solution to implantomosts is the use of prosthetic bridges, but this involves grinding the adjacent teeth on which the bridge is placed.

Implants differ primarily in the material from which they are made (titanium, titanium alloys or zirconium) and the brand (and the system that these brands offer). The various implant systems differ in the quality of their workmanship and in their production technologies, including, most importantly, the method of mechanical and chemical preparation of the thread surfaces.

There are many manufacturers of implants, ranging from regional small companies to experienced global companies specializing in the production of a whole range of implant systems. At our clinic, we recommend two implant systems from reputable manufacturers:

• Astra Tech
• Alpha Bio

Theoretically, it is possible to place an implant directly after tooth extraction (removal), but due to the risk of complications in the process of integration of bone and implant, we recommend waiting 2-3 months until any inflammation has healed . Implant placement immediately after tooth extraction is determined by anatomical factors, such as the degree of blood supply to the bone and gums, and is assessed by the implantologist in each case.

At no stage of treatment does the patient leave the office with an empty interdental space. From the beginning to the end of treatment, we provide temporary restorations that mimic natural teeth. Patients who have missing teeth in the lateral sections can decide for themselves to forgo the temporary restorations until the post-surgical wounds have healed and the final implant superstructure is made.

The duration of implant treatment strictly depends on the patient's anatomical conditions and can last from 3 to 12 months in total, but most often takes about 4 months. Generally, three stages of treatment are assumed, which include about five visits to the dental office:

• preparatory stage - interview, diagnosis, including radiographs, and establishment of a treatment plan
• surgical stage - possible additional surgical procedures (tooth extractions, bone regeneration, etc.) and implantation, i.e. placement of the implant along with the period of healing of the alveolus
• prosthetic stage - restoration of the tooth on the implant integrated with the bone (after about 3-6 months after implantation)

The term “immediate implant” can refer both to such a method of implantation, which takes place immediately after the extraction (removal) of the tooth root, and to the immediate loading of the implant with a prosthetic superstructure (without observing a period of recovery). In this case, after the gum has healed, only the replacement of the provisional crown with the final restoration takes place. In certain situations, with favorable anatomical conditions, that is, first of all, the appropriate amount and quality of bone and the absence of inflammatory features of the tissues, this is possible, but due to potential complications we usually do not recommend this type of solution.

Bone regeneration methods used in implantology are based on procedures aimed at surgically creating or reconstructing bone tissue at the site where dental implants are planned to be placed. These procedures are used when the doctor, on the basis of radiological examinations, determines insufficient conditions for implant placement at the site intended for implantation. Bone augmentation uses bone substitute biomaterials of autogenous (own tissue), allogeneic (from another human) or xenogeneic (bovine, equine and porcine animal tissues) origin. More on bone augmentation.

There are few absolute contraindications, and virtually any adult who wants to replace one or more missing teeth and has successfully passed medical qualification during a consultation with an implantologist can undergo dental implants. Even a completely toothless jaw can be filled with implants.

• Untreated periodontal disease
• Inadequate oral hygiene
• Uncompensated diabetes
• Unstabilized coagulation disorders
• Debilitating diseases (AIDS, cancer, mental illness)
• Age below 18 years. - In exceptional cases, this is a relative contraindication

In special cases of the presence of certain general medical conditions, consultation with the attending physician is required to individually determine the treatment regimen for the patient. A temporary contraindication to the procedure is insufficient bone tissue at the site of the planned implant. In such a situation, it is necessary to perform additional procedures, i.e. sinus lift or guided bone regeneration.

Periodontal disease is not an absolute contraindication to implant surgery, but it does require prior treatment. Those with a history of periodontal disease may require more detailed diagnostics and stricter oral hygiene recommendations.

After a dental surgical procedure, such as an implant or sinus lift, it is advisable to refrain from intense exercise, strenuous sports or going to the sauna. Recovery time is determined individually with the surgeon after surgery and depends on the course and extent of the procedure. It is generally accepted that the protective period can last up to 30 days, but with short and minimally invasive procedures it can be significantly shortened.

A patient who has decided to have a dental implant placed at our clinic can request documentation at any time after treatment in the form of a so-called Implant Passport or other document that allows identification of the type of implant placed. In the event of an emergency, this makes it possible to select the correct components of the implant system used and to benefit from authorized implantological assistance worldwide. Please note that the passport is not a warranty document and all costs of treatment outside our clinic are the responsibility of the patient.

Implant placement is not a painful procedure, as it is performed under local anesthesia, such as when a tooth is removed.

The cost of implant reconstruction of a tooth consists primarily of the cost of the implant placed and the cost of its superstructure (crown or bridge) together with the abutment. The price of the implant depends on the type of implant system chosen, while the price of the superstructure depends on the type of material it is made of, the quality of that material, the reputation and experience of the technical laboratory performing the superstructure, and the type of substructure (abutment) that connects it to the implant. The abutment can be standard or customized - adapted in shape to the conditions in the patient's mouth.  It can be made of metal or a combination of metal and zirconium (in the color of the tooth). When deciding on an implant, you should also consider the possible costs associated with radiographs, bone reconstruction and tooth extractions (if necessary).

Dental implant treatment is a proven, safe method that has been used worldwide for several decades. Advancing manufacturing technologies and improved dental procedures make the risk of rejection of the implant minimal, with an increased risk in smokers. For example, the Alpha Bio Tec implant system offered at our clinic achieves a clinical success rate of approximately 99%, meaning that 1 in 100 people experience implant rejection by the body.

Failure of the implant to integrate with the bone is extremely rare. Nevertheless, it may happen that you are in that small percentage of people in whom the implant has not integrated with the bone. Usually in such cases, the implant is removed, the reasons for the failure are identified along with the manufacturer, and another attempt is made to place the implant after prior bone regeneration, if necessary.
It is worth remembering that an implant is a foreign body to the body, and its rejection is not life-threatening.

An implant is a permanently integrated (fused) tooth root substitute to the bone, and there is generally no need to replace it. Leading implant manufacturers provide a lifetime mechanical warranty on implants. However, it sometimes happens that after years of use, due to bone atrophy around the implants, the threads of the implants become exposed. This can be the result of insufficient hygiene and inflammation of the gums and bone, but also a consequence of aging. In such a situation, aesthetic, hygienic and functional considerations may determine the need to remove the old implant and insert a new implant so that it is surrounded on all sides by bone. Similarly, the condition of implant restorations largely depends on the body and the actions of the patient himself. Like natural teeth, crowns or bridges are subject to mechanical risks and are affected by external factors, such as bacteria or trauma. It is worth noting that consistent care of dental and gum hygiene directly contributes to the proper functioning of implant crowns and implant bridges in the long term. Nevertheless, it is important to have regular check-ups at the dentist's office, which allow early detection of possible abnormalities and quick response.