Dental implant

What a dental implant is and why it’s the best solution

A dental implant is an artificial titanium root surgically inserted into the jawbone. After integration (osseointegration), an abutment and a ceramic crown are mounted on the implant. The result: a tooth that looks, feels, and functions like a natural one — without affecting neighbouring teeth.

It’s the current gold standard for replacing missing teeth, internationally recognised, with success rates above 95% at 10 years.

Advantages over alternatives

Aspect	Implant	Fixed bridge	Removable denture
Aesthetics	natural, indistinguishable	good	medium
Functionality	100%	~80%	50-60%
Bone preservation	yes	no	no
Affects neighbouring teeth	no	yes (grinding)	no
Durability	20+ years	8-12 years	5-7 years
Hygiene	like natural tooth	difficult	must be removed

When an implant is indicated

• One missing tooth — single implant with crown
• Multiple missing teeth — multiple implants or implant-supported bridge
• Complete edentulism — All-on-4 or All-on-6 (see below)
• Before bone resorption — old extractions may need augmentation
• Replacing removable dentures with a fixed solution

When it’s NOT indicated (or requires preparation)

We’re honest at consultation — not all patients can receive an implant immediately:

• Active periodontal disease — we stabilise the gum first, then implant
• Heavy smoking (>10 cigarettes/day) — success rate drops 15-20%
• Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c > 7) — requires glycaemic control first
• IV bisphosphonates (oncology treatment) — osteonecrosis risk
• Under 18 years — jaw still growing
• Pregnancy — postpone to post-partum
• Insufficient bone volume — bone augmentation/sinus lift required first

Components of an implant

1. The implant (root) — titanium or zirconium screw, 3-6 mm diameter
2. The abutment (prosthetic connector) — piece linking implant to crown
3. The crown — visible part, all-ceramic (zirconium) or metal-ceramic

Manufacturers we work with

We use implants from manufacturers with international reputation and European CE certification: premium systems (Straumann, Nobel Biocare, Astra Tech) or mid-range with solid clinical studies. We don’t work with unknown brands making big claims. Manufacturer warranty on the implant itself: lifetime.

Treatment stages

Phase 1: Diagnosis and planning

1. Consultation — clinical exam, panoramic X-ray
2. CBCT 3D (tomography) — for exact bone volume assessment
3. Digital plan — we simulate the optimal implant position on the 3D image
4. Cost + duration estimate — clear figures before any intervention

Phase 2: Implant insertion

1. Local anaesthesia — completely painless
2. Surgical procedure — 45-90 minutes per implant, minimally invasive
3. Suturing — resorbable threads or to be removed at 7-10 days

Phase 3: Osseointegration (healing)

3-6 months — the implant fuses with the bone. During this period you wear a provisional restoration for aesthetics if it’s a visible tooth.

Phase 4: Final restoration

1. Digital impression (intraoral scanner)
2. Abutment + ceramic crown mounting — 1-2 sessions
3. Occlusion check + finishing — the final tooth

Bone augmentation and sinus lift

If bone has resorbed (from old extractions or periodontitis), we perform:

• Horizontal/vertical augmentation — adding artificial or autologous bone
• Sinus lift — for upper posterior implants
• Split crest — expanding a narrow alveolar ridge

This adds 3-6 months to the total duration, but enables implants in otherwise impossible areas.

All-on-4 / All-on-6 — complete arch

For patients without teeth (or with hopeless teeth): only 4-6 implants support a complete fixed arch of 12-14 teeth. Advantages:

• New teeth in 24-48h (immediate loading)
• Lower cost than one implant per tooth
• Rapid aesthetic and functional recovery

Post-implant recovery

First 48h: slight inflammation, possibly a small haematoma — normal. We recommend:

• Intermittent cold compress (15 min on, 15 off) for the first 4-6h
• Anti-inflammatory (Nurofen/Algocalmin) as prescribed
• Soft and cold food for 2-3 days
• No smoking for at least 2 weeks (directly affects healing)
• No intense physical effort for 3-5 days
• Mouthwash with 1% chlorhexidine for 10 days
• Normal brushing avoiding the surgical area for 5-7 days

Durability and maintenance

With proper care, an implant lasts 20-30+ years, often a lifetime. For this:

• Check-ups every 6 months, professional cleaning
• Rigorous hygiene (brushing 2x/day, floss or interdental brushes)
• Attention to peri-implantitis (equivalent of periodontitis on implant)
• The crown on the implant can be replaced at 10-15 years if it wears

Indicative cost

Single implant (titanium premium + abutment + ceramic crown): from 4,500-5,500 RON complete. Personalised plan after consultation with CBCT. Instalment payment options available.

Booking an implantology consultation

Come with a recent panoramic X-ray if you have one. For a complete plan we’ll also do a CBCT 3D. You receive on-the-spot treatment plan with exact estimate, duration, and financing options.