Modern dentistry in Waldenbuch

Implants are a kind of “artificial tooth root”. An implant is inserted into the jaw ridge in a minor surgical procedure. The resulting abutment allows crowns, bridges and dentures to be attached securely and easily. An implant is the ideal solution after losing a tooth because, like a natural tooth, it easily withstands any chewing load.

“Osseointegration” is the complete integration of the implant into the bone. After implantation, the titanium screw needs 3-6 months to heal in. During this time “osseointegration” takes place, as mineralised bone grows onto the specially designed surface of the implant. As a result, a healed implant can bear exactly the same load as a natural tooth.

In principle, an implant is placed when teeth could not be preserved and the gap caused by the tooth loss is to be restored in the best possible way. Implants are most commonly used for:

1. Single tooth replacement

If a single tooth is lost, for example in an accident, it can be sensibly replaced with an implant, because the neighbouring teeth no longer need to be ground down – as they would for a conventional bridge.

2. Free-end situation

If the row of teeth is shortened, i.e. the “back teeth” are missing, fixed dentures such as a bridge cannot be used. Until now, the treatment of choice was a removable partial denture. Thanks to implantology, fixed dentures can now be fitted, restoring the lost chewing function.

3. Complete tooth loss

If all teeth are missing, implants can give dentures an excellent hold. Patients with so-called full dentures in particular often suffer a great deal. Here, implants can lead to a whole new sense of confidence and quality of life.

1. Bone quality and bone quantity

Bone quality and bone quantity are determined in advance with examinations, X-rays, etc. If there is not enough bone, a sinus lift or bone augmentation may be necessary.

2. Oral hygiene

An implant can only heal successfully in a healthy, i.e. low-bacteria environment. To ensure healing, carious defects therefore often have to be treated beforehand, together with thorough plaque removal and, if necessary, periodontal treatment to reduce bacteria.

3. General health

Only in exceptional cases is an implant advised against because of a general illness. Your dentist will clarify this very carefully, if necessary in consultation with your other doctors.

The bone in the upper jaw in particular recedes very quickly when teeth are missing. Because the jaw is in close contact with the maxillary sinus, the sinus is often covered only by a thin layer of bone. To place an implant in these areas, the bone thickness has to be increased. This is achieved with a closed or open sinus lift, which means that the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinus is raised slightly, creating enough space for an implant.

If necessary, the sinus lift is carried out during the implantation and is not perceived by the patient as painful or unpleasant, either during or after the treatment.

1. Planning

The dentist plans the complete treatment, which minimises the risk for the patient.

2. Placing the implant

Under local anaesthesia, the dentist exposes the bone. A hole that fits the implant exactly is then drilled with special drills, and the implant is inserted into the bone. The implant is securely closed with a “cover screw” and the soft tissue is closed with stitches.

3. Healing time

The healing time is 3 – 6 months. During this time the gap is closed with a temporary restoration, so the patient has only minimal restrictions.

4. Exposing the implant

After the healing phase, the implant is exposed so that precisely fitting, individual dentures can be made.

5. Fitting the dentures

The dentures are attached to the implant and from this moment on can be loaded just like a natural tooth.

In general, the complete treatment including the surgical procedure is entirely painless. We take every medically sensible measure to optimise the healing process!

Implants are exceptionally durable. With good oral hygiene and regular preventive care, implants last a lifetime. In rare cases, poor oral hygiene or systemic diseases can lead to the loss of implants. Clinical studies have also confirmed that the loss of dental implants is extremely rare.

The total cost of an implant plus dentures depends on the effort involved and ranges from € 1,500 to € 2,200. This is a figure based on experience. For implant work we always provide you with an individual cost estimate. The advantages of implants are enormous – we are happy to advise you without obligation!

We are proud to be able to provide you with the best possible surgical and prosthetic care in our practice. This “all-round care” allows us to calculate your costs very precisely!

The cost of implants is often covered by private health insurance. As a rule, this should be clarified in advance with a treatment and cost plan.

Prosthodontics is the science of dental prostheses. If a tooth can no longer be saved with conservative dentistry, it is lost.

This leaves a gap, which has to be restored with a prosthetic solution such as a bridge or an implant crown.

On the one hand, prosthodontics includes fixed dentures. These include bridges and crowns. The dentures are attached as follows:

• Preparing the teeth so that a crown can be placed on them.
• Taking an impression to produce precisely fitting, individual dentures.
• Trying in and fitting the dentures.

Removable dentures are used in prosthodontics when many or all teeth have to be replaced. These are called dentures. There are many ways to anchor a denture in the mouth. The dentist discusses this with the patient. In general, a perfect denture meets the following criteria:

• good hold
• comfortable to wear for the patient
• long-term solution
• cost-effectiveness

Your dentures are made in our own laboratory using high-quality materials. We guarantee that we only use high-quality precious metal alloys, ceramics and plastics. Every denture is made individually and fits perfectly. In addition, every step of a prosthetic treatment is discussed between the dentist and the dental technician, which is of the utmost importance.

What is the advantage of in-house production?

The advantage of having your dentures made on site is, on the one hand, that you know exactly where they come from and, on the other, that individual wishes (regarding tooth colour, position, shape etc.) can be implemented quickly and easily.

Single tooth crown

The prosthetic single tooth crown is attached in the mouth. It is hardly distinguishable from a real tooth.

Implant crown

The implant crown is attached to the implant. It is also so similar to a natural tooth that it is practically impossible to tell them apart.

Implant bridge

The prosthetic bridge “bridges” gaps between teeth and can be attached to abutment teeth as well as to implants. Dentures can be attached both to implants and to remaining teeth. Here the denture is attached to an implant-supported bar.

Ball attachment denture

Ball attachments can also serve as the connecting element between implant and denture.

Telescopic denture

If there are remaining teeth that can bear load, a telescopic denture can be made.

Regular preventive care and good oral hygiene can often completely prevent therapeutically necessary treatments such as dentures, or delay them for years.

Even more importantly, sensible preventive care by the dentist maintains existing dentures and thus ensures they last as long as possible.

(A healthy environment in the mouth, i.e. an appropriate number of germs and bacteria and a good saliva composition, has a positive effect on general well-being and the immune system!)

Professional teeth cleaning is carried out in our practice by trained staff. The teeth are freed and cleaned of so-called tartar (hard deposits) and soft deposits (from coffee and tea). Concrements (tartar between tooth and gum) are also removed.

The subsequent thorough polishing of the teeth prevents or significantly slows down the formation of new plaque.

In this treatment, the teeth are “blasted” with a special powder. This removes discolouration and deposits particularly gently.

Every set of teeth needs the right care. Whether implant, bridge or denture – we show you the right care tools and products in a detailed consultation.

(In our practice, every preventive treatment is supervised by the dentist personally. The patient is examined before the treatment and discharged by the dentist afterwards.)