Dental implants Gdynia - a fixed tooth where the gap was

What is a dental implant and what does it offer when a tooth is missing?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of a biocompatible material, most often titanium or zirconium oxide, which is surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw. It acts as an abutment for a prosthetic restoration - a crown, bridge or denture. Thanks to osseointegration, the permanent fusion with bone tissue, the implant takes over the function of the tooth root.

When a single tooth is missing, an implant is often a good solution for many people because, unlike a bridge, it does not require grinding down the healthy teeth next to the gap. An implant loads and stimulates the bone, limiting the bone loss that follows tooth extraction - something removable dentures do not prevent. Titanium is compatible with the human body, which is why implants restore chewing strength and comfort close to that of natural teeth.

Which missing teeth can be replaced with implants?

Implants can replace virtually any missing teeth - from a single tooth, through gaps at the back of the mouth, to complete toothlessness. A single implant replaces one tooth, several implants can support a bridge, and when no teeth remain the whole arch rests on 4 or 6 implants. Teeth are lost for various reasons: decay, injury, gum disease or extraction.

The sooner a gap is filled, the better, because bone that carries no load gradually shrinks. An implant stops this process, protects the neighbouring teeth and prevents the remaining teeth from drifting towards the gap.

Types of implants - how to choose dental implants

How to choose dental implants depends on the anatomical conditions, the patient's individual needs and aesthetic expectations. Two main materials are used in implantology: titanium and zirconium oxide (ceramic implants). Both are biocompatible, and the dentist chooses the right solution after an individual assessment at the consultation.

Titanium implants have been used in dentistry for decades and have a documented, predictable integration with bone. Medical-grade titanium fuses well with bone tissue and withstands strong chewing forces. The wide range of systems available means the implant can be matched to different clinical conditions. A limitation can be the metallic colour, which may show through slightly where the gum is very thin.

Who is a candidate for an implant? Indications and contraindications

Implant treatment is now possible in the vast majority of cases of missing teeth. A candidate is someone in good general health whose bones have stopped growing and who looks after their oral hygiene. A sufficient amount of bone is needed to anchor the implant stably, and this is assessed on a CT scan.

There are, however, contraindications. Absolute contraindications include active cancer during chemotherapy and severe, untreated immune disorders. More common are relative, temporary contraindications that can be resolved before implant treatment: poorly controlled diabetes, untreated gum disease, some heart conditions, and smoking, which impairs healing. The dentist decides whether you qualify based on an individual assessment and your general health.

What conditions need to be met for the procedure to succeed?

The success of treatment depends on several conditions. The most important are:

• an adequate amount and quality of bone at the implant site,
• a healthy mouth, with no gum inflammation, gum disease or untreated tooth decay,
• careful oral hygiene maintained after the procedure,
• working with the dentist and following their instructions at every stage.

Success is a joint effort between the dentist and a committed patient - the patient's role is just as important as precision during the procedure.

Dental implants vs a bridge and a denture - what are the key differences?

Dental implants differ from a bridge and a removable denture mainly in that they are a stand-alone solution and put no load on the neighbouring teeth. A bridge requires the healthy teeth next to the gap to be ground down, while a denture rests on the gum and can be less stable.

An implant is the only one of these solutions that loads the bone and limits bone loss, whereas under a bridge or denture the bone continues to shrink. In terms of comfort and the look of your smile, an implant is the closest thing to your own tooth, which is why it is often chosen instead of a restoration that relies on healthy neighbouring teeth.

How much do dental implants cost in Gdynia? What makes up the cost?

The price of an implant is not the same as the total cost of treatment - the final amount is made up of several separate procedures. We present a detailed, individual cost estimate after diagnostics. The cost includes:

• the consultation and radiological diagnostics (CT scan),
• the surgical stage, that is, the implant itself, depending on the chosen system,
• the abutment that connects the implant to the crown,
• the prosthetic crown on the implant, for example an all-ceramic crown,
• any bone rebuilding or sinus lift, if needed.

Guided bone regeneration - when is bone rebuilding needed?

Guided bone regeneration (bone grafting) rebuilds the bone when there is too little of your own tissue to anchor an implant stably. The defect is filled with bone substitute material under a protective membrane, which creates the conditions for your own bone to regenerate. It is an additional procedure that extends treatment by the healing period, and its price depends on the size of the defect and the amount of material. The need for bone grafting is assessed on a CT scan during the consultation.