Who is a Candidate for Dental Implant Treatment? How Does the Process Work?

Dental implant treatment is a permanent solution for missing teeth. It involves placing titanium screws into the jawbone to replace lost roots, topped with porcelain or zirconium crowns. It can be safely performed on adults whose jawbone development is complete and who are in good general health for surgery, offering a chewing sensation that is remarkably close to your natural teeth.

• Implants are tissue-friendly titanium screws that mimic a natural tooth root.
• The procedure is usually done under local anaesthesia, making the surgical phase painless.
• It takes an average of 2 to 6 months for the screw to fully fuse with the jawbone.
• If your bone volume is insufficient, a bone graft (bone powder) may be necessary.
• With regular oral hygiene, implants can be safely used for a lifetime.

What is Dental Implant Treatment?

A natural tooth consists of a root hidden within the jawbone and a visible crown in the mouth. When a tooth is lost for any reason, you lose not just the visible part, but also the root beneath the gums. Dental implant treatment is a surgical procedure designed specifically to address this missing root. Small, cylindrical titanium screws are placed into the jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root.

The main reason titanium is preferred in dentistry is its excellent biological compatibility with the human body. The body does not perceive this material as a foreign substance and does not reject it. Over time, the inserted titanium screw fuses with the jawbone cells to form an inseparable whole. This biological fusion process is known as osseointegration.

Once osseointegration is complete, an intermediate piece called an abutment is attached to the screw. In the final stage, a porcelain or zirconium crown, carefully matched to the patient's natural tooth colour, is placed over it. This restores both a flawless aesthetic appearance and full chewing and speaking functions.

Who Can Get Implants and What Are the Risk Factors?

"Who is a candidate for dental implants?" is one of the most common questions asked by patients with missing teeth. This treatment can be applied to all individuals aged 18 and over who have completed their bone development and are in good general health. There is no upper age limit; a healthy 80-year-old can comfortably get an implant. However, for the treatment to be successful, certain biological conditions must be met and risk factors evaluated.

Eligibility Criteria and High-Risk Conditions

There must be sufficient bone height and thickness in the area where the implant will be placed. Bone loss can occur in areas that have been toothless for a long time. In such cases, bone grafting (bone powder) procedures are performed before the operation to make the area suitable for the implant. The patient's general health history is also of great importance.

In patients with uncontrolled diabetes, wound healing may be delayed, which can jeopardize the implant's fusion with the bone. However, diabetic patients with well-regulated blood sugar levels can safely receive implants with their doctor's approval. Patients with cardiovascular diseases or those taking blood thinners must consult their cardiologists to adjust their medication before the procedure. Heavy smoking is one of the most significant risk factors that reduce implant success, as it impairs blood circulation in the mouth and increases the risk of infection.

Why Shouldn't Missing Tooth Treatment Be Delayed?

Losing one or more teeth is not just an aesthetic concern; it is a serious functional and health problem. When treatment for missing teeth is delayed, the balance inside the mouth rapidly deteriorates. The teeth adjacent to the extracted tooth gap gradually tilt into this space, and the opposing tooth in the other jaw elongates towards the gap. This disrupts the alignment of the teeth, makes chewing difficult, and can lead to jaw joint pain.

Furthermore, the absence of a tooth root prevents the jawbone in that area from being mechanically stimulated. Just like unused muscles atrophy, an unstimulated jawbone gradually loses volume and begins to melt away. Advanced bone loss causes the facial features to collapse, resulting in an older appearance. A decrease in chewing efficiency means food is swallowed without being properly ground, paving the way for stomach and digestive system disorders.

If your tooth loss is rooted in untreated gum diseases, your gums must be restored to health before getting an implant. Implants placed in unhealthy gum tissue carry a very high risk of infection.

Pre-Implant Examination and Radiological Diagnosis

The first and most critical step of a successful implant treatment is an accurate diagnosis and detailed planning. During your initial examination at the hospital, your dentist will thoroughly inspect your oral tissues, the condition of your gums, and the health of adjacent teeth. However, since the implant is placed directly into the bone, a visual examination alone is not enough.

Panoramic X-rays are generally taken for radiological evaluation. These X-rays provide an idea about the general structure of the jawbone. However, to measure the thickness (width) of the bone down to the millimetre and to determine the exact location of the nerve canal passing through the lower jaw or the sinus cavities in the upper jaw, 3D Dental Tomography (CBCT) is used.

Thanks to tomography images, the physician digitally plans the length, diameter, and angle of the implant to be placed with millimetric precision. This advanced technology reduces risks such as nerve damage or puncturing the sinus membrane to zero during surgery. If the patient's bone structure is insufficient, the type of bone powder to be used and the waiting period are also clarified during this planning stage.

How Does the Step-by-Step Implant Process Work?

Although the implant process varies depending on the patient's condition, it generally follows specific stages. Contrary to popular belief, the procedure is a highly comfortable and painless surgical intervention. Every step of the process is meticulously carried out with the patient's comfort and long-term success in mind.

Surgical Phase and Osseointegration

Before the procedure, local anaesthesia is applied to the relevant area, ensuring the patient feels no pain during the operation. The gum is opened with a small incision, and a socket perfectly matching the dimensions of the implant is prepared in the jawbone. After the titanium screw is placed into this socket, the gum is closed again with a few stitches. Placing a single implant takes an average of 20 to 30 minutes.

After the surgical phase, the waiting period begins. The implant's fusion with the jawbone at a cellular level (osseointegration) usually takes 2-3 months for the lower jaw and 3-6 months for the upper jaw. Temporary prostheses can be made so the patient does not remain toothless during this period. In cases where bone powder is added, this waiting period may be slightly longer.

Prosthesis (Crown) Phase

Once it is radiologically confirmed that the bone and implant have successfully fused, the prosthesis phase begins. The gum is shaped with a minor procedure, and an abutment is attached to the implant. Then, measurements are taken from inside the mouth using digital or traditional methods. In the laboratory, porcelain or zirconium teeth are prepared to match the patient's facial features and the colour of their other teeth. These prepared permanent teeth are fixed onto the implant, completing the treatment.

Recovery Period and Possible Complications

It is completely normal to experience slight swelling, minor oozing bleeding, and mild pain in the first 24 to 48 hours following implant surgery. Thanks to the painkillers and antibiotics prescribed by your doctor, this period is passed quite comfortably. Applying an ice compress intermittently from the outside to the area on the day of the operation greatly prevents swelling.

The most important rule to pay attention to during the recovery period is to stay away from hot, hard, and grainy foods for the first few days. You might need to pause your daily habit of enjoying a crispy Turkish simit or piping hot tea for just a short while to let your gums heal. Also, smoking and alcohol consumption should be paused as they will slow down healing. Spitting or using a straw should definitely be avoided on the first day, as it can disrupt the blood clot in the wound area.

One of the primary long-term complications is "peri-implantitis," an inflammation of the gum and bone around the implant. This is usually caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Additionally, in patients with severe teeth grinding during sleep (bruxism), excessive load on the implant can lead to bone loss. Therefore, patients who clench their teeth are advised to wear a night guard after treatment.

When Should You See a Dentist?

Recovery after implant treatment usually progresses smoothly. However, rarely, some unexpected situations may develop. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should consult your dentist or a healthcare facility without wasting time:

• Pain that is expected to decrease 3-4 days after surgery but instead becomes increasingly severe and throbbing.
• Fresh bleeding in the procedure area that does not stop and exceeds continuous oozing.
• Fever, chills, shivering, or foul-smelling, yellow/green pus discharge around the implant.
• Numbness or tingling in the lip, chin, or tongue lasting more than 24 hours after lower jaw operations (may be a sign of nerve pressure).
• Feeling that the implant is loose months or years after the healing process is complete.

Early intervention in such situations is vital to prevent the loss of the implant and to protect your oral health. If you develop severe systemic symptoms, such as sudden swelling spreading down your neck or difficulty breathing, call 112 or visit the nearest emergency department immediately.

The Implant Process at BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi

At BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi, we offer permanent and aesthetic solutions with the latest technologies to our local and international patients experiencing tooth loss. Our experienced dentists and maxillofacial surgeons ensure a flawless process by making detailed planning with 3D tomography devices.

Especially for our patients who have dental phobia, an excessive gag reflex, or need multiple implants at the same time, we offer treatment under general anaesthesia or sedation in our fully equipped operating theatres. This way, while our patients are in a deep sleep, all surgical procedures can be completed in a single session, painlessly and without stress. Our hospital's 24/7 emergency service and multidisciplinary structure ensure you feel completely safe during your stay in Türkiye. For a detailed evaluation, you can visit our Oral and Dental Health department.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I feel pain while the implant is being placed?

No, local anaesthesia is applied to the area to be treated during implant surgery. Thanks to this, you will only feel a slight pressure during the operation; you will absolutely not feel any pain or ache. The mild aches after the procedure are easily controlled with painkillers.

How long does the total implant treatment take?

The process of placing the implant into the jawbone takes about 20-30 minutes for a single tooth. However, it is necessary to wait 2-3 months in the lower jaw and 3-6 months in the upper jaw for the screw to fuse with the bone. After the waiting period is over, making the permanent teeth takes about 1-2 weeks.

Can smokers get implants?

Smokers can get implants, but because smoking impairs blood circulation in the mouth, it delays wound healing and increases the risk of infection. This situation can reduce the success of the implant fusing with the bone. It is highly recommended to quit or significantly reduce smoking before the treatment and during the recovery period.

What is the lifespan of an implant?

Because implants are made from non-decaying titanium material, they are structurally durable for a lifetime. However, the health of the gum and jawbone surrounding the implant depends on the patient's oral care. With brushing twice a day, flossing, and regular dental check-ups, you can use your implants without problems for a lifetime.

Can implants be applied to people with bone loss?

Yes, implants can also be applied to patients with bone melting or volume loss in the jawbone. In such cases, bone grafting (bone powder) applications are performed before the implant is placed or during the same session to increase the bone volume in the area and prepare a suitable foundation for the implant.

To achieve a healthy and complete smile and to evaluate treatment options, you can book an appointment with our specialist physicians and have the most suitable plan made for you with a detailed examination.

This article is for informational purposes only; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.