Frequently asked questions
about dental implants

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are artificial roots, preferably made of chemically pure titanium, created to replace missing or lost teeth.

Once placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw using minimally invasive microsurgery, they are used to support the new teeth.

How are implants attached to the bone?

Due to a biological process called osseointegration described by Professor Bränemark in the 1950s.

Through this process the body establishes a connection between the implant and the bone after which the implant and the bone are firmly attached.

A very important feature of this osseointegration process is its stability over time.

When might dental implants be indicated and a solution for me?

Dental implants can be indicated without any age limit, in cases of loss or absence of one tooth, several teeth or all teeth.

Let us remember that a great advantage of implants is that we can replace missing or lost teeth without having to damage adjacent teeth, i.e. we do not have to alter the neighbouring teeth.

Is there such a thing as implant rejection?

The vast majority of dental implants are made of surgical titanium. This material has proven to be biocompatible, bioinert, stable and with a great capacity to integrate into the bone, as well as being very well tolerated by the soft tissues (gums), so the chances of it producing an allergic reaction are very unlikely.

However, in keeping with our commitment to offer reliable and predictable solutions, for these cases of titanium allergy (less than 0.1%) we currently have dental implants made of Zirconium, a material with very similar properties to titanium.

What are the main advantages of implants?

What materials are used?

Removable prostheses are generally made of acrylic materials. Fixed restorations incorporate an internal framework of metal or a strong ceramic material.

Subsequently, a tooth-coloured ceramic material is fused onto this framework.

The inner core metal can be made from a variety of alloys. The most commonly used metals are various types of noble alloys or titanium.

There are various materials that allow osseointegration, but titanium implants are the most common.

How long do implants last?

Implants have very high survival rates, even longer than 35 years. Ninety per cent of implants placed ten years ago are still functional today.

The long-term success of implants depends to a large extent on patient hygiene and periodontal maintenance.

Does implant placement hurt?

No. The surgery is performed under local anaesthesia, so you will not feel any discomfort. If there is some pain after the operation, it can be alleviated with conventional painkillers.

Can everyone get dental implants?

Most people in good general health or with controlled systemic diseases are candidates for dental implants.

They are contraindicated in very few cases. Although it can happen if you are taking certain medication or have a serious health problem.

What is the function of dental implants?

Chewing function: if no teeth are missing, proper grinding is possible and digestion is improved. In addition, dental implants relieve the extra load on the adjacent teeth.

Aesthetic function: a smile with gaps is less aesthetic and makes a poorer impression. A complete smile helps self-esteem and confidence.

Biological function: teeth need each other. When teeth are missing, adjacent teeth cannot help but seek support by shifting and tilting. The absence of the root also causes gum recession.

Phonetic function: there are consonant sounds such as S, V, Z and F that require certain teeth to be present in order to be pronounced correctly.

What parts does the dental implant consist of?

The dental implant consists of 3 parts:

Implant: this is the screw-shaped piece that is placed in the gum. It acts similar to the root of the tooth and holds the artificial crown that simulates the tooth.

Abutment: this is the piece that is screwed onto the dental implant and helps to extend it out of the soft tissue. It must be perfectly positioned to prevent the crown from moving afterwards.

Crown: it is an artificial piece whose appearance simulates the tooth and also fulfils all its phonetic, articulatory and masticatory functions.

What happens if an implant is not placed when a tooth is missing?

When one or more teeth are lost or extracted, changes begin to occur in the entire oral area:

How should dental implants be cared for?

To take care of the implants after their placement, it is necessary to take extreme care of oral hygiene, not only during the months of healing, but also on a regular basis.

It is advisable to have consistent dental hygiene habits and, as far as possible, avoid habits that can damage teeth, such as smoking.

In addition to brushing and flossing to clean the implant, the evolution of the implant and the crown must be monitored. To do this, it is necessary to attend check-ups following the recommendations given by the implantologist.

With these simple measures we can avoid suffering from diseases such as peri-implantitis, which endangers not only the permanence of the implant, but also our entire oral health. In this way, you can extend the life of the dental implant as long as possible.

What is the recovery process like after dental implants?

After the placement of dental implants, it is normal for inflammation to appear around the operated area. In principle, this should not be something to worry about, but you can always ask our implantologist if you have any doubts.

Although it is not an alarming symptom, occasional bleeding may occur after leaving the dental clinic. Our recommendation is to apply gentle pressure by biting on a gauze pad to stop the bleeding.

From the day after the implant is placed, the entire mouth should be brushed normally, paying special attention to the area that has been operated on.

What can I eat after an implant placement?

After leaving the clinic, it is advisable to wait approximately two hours before eating or drinking, until the anaesthesia wears off completely.

No hot drinks or hard food should be consumed for the first 24 hours after the operation. We recommend eating cold, soft food to soothe the area and avoid delaying healing.

From the second day onwards, you can eat normally, although you should try to be careful with the implant site as it may be sensitive.

Find out all your questions about dental implants in our interactive book

It provides you with the most reliable academic answers, published in 7 languages worldwide by the European Association Of Osseointegration.