Anyone who has lost part or a whole tooth, has a fractured tooth or has loose teeth can see one of our resident dentists who is trained to identify when dental implants are needed. People who participate in contact sports may experience oral trauma and need to have their teeth checked for damage. If you are worried about losing a tooth or have missing teeth, we can take a look and advise you on the best options for natural looking teeth.
Implants are not necessarily suitable for everyone. Age is not a limitation, but the quality of bone tissue and the condition of the gums can pose a risk to the patient. Other factors that can increase the likelihood of implants not being successful include excessive smoking as it impedes healing, high alcohol consumption which affects the gums, advanced deterioration of gums and bone tissue from periodontal disease, patients with autoimmune diseases which also affect the speed of healing and fusion of the implant with the bone. Excessive teeth grinding is also a condition that can paralyze implant treatment. Our experienced implant dentist can discuss these conditions with you and examine your mouth to see if you are a suitable candidate for dental implant treatment.
Fractured, broken or missing teeth can seriously affect your oral health and general wellbeing. This is because a broken tooth can become irritated with inflammation and cause tooth decay. This can lead to gum disease which can also cause disease in the rest of the body. A missing tooth can affect the way your teeth bite together, which can lead to grinding of other teeth. Over time, your jaw can appear distorted, which can affect the shape of your face and your overall appearance. If you are worried about this, one of our resident dentists can discuss your concerns with you and advise you on the condition of your teeth.
The benefits of having dental implants are that you will have a full set of natural looking teeth again, your bone tissue and jaw structure will be much stronger, you will also have had treatment for any gum disease or tooth decay, you will have much better oral and general wellbeing, and your facial appearance will look much brighter and more attractive. You will also feel much more confident when you smile.
Examination: Initially, one of our resident dentists examines the condition of your teeth to see if there are any signs of gum disease or if pre-treatment, such as a cleaning or therapy to remove cavities, is necessary. Next, our implant dentist will evaluate your mouth and bone structure and identify the location of the implants using an X-ray or CT scan. Once discussed with you and with your approval, our laboratory creates the titanium implants and crown or bridge for you.
Sedation: Our dentist will give you a local anesthetic so that you do not feel pain during the procedure. Once sedated, a slit is made in the gum and a small hole is made in the jawbone for the implant.
Placement: The implant is placed into this small hole and the gum is covered with soft sutures to allow fusion with the jaw bone. These can be removed after a week. In some cases, people have damaged jaw bones and our resident dentists can take a bone graft from the lower jaw bone or safe substitute materials to build the jaw bone that supports the implant.
Abutment: After the bone tissue has attached to the implant for a period of six weeks to six months and healed, the gum surface is opened again to allow placement of a temporary crown post on the implant (known as an abutment).
Permanent crown or bridge: Further healing occurs over another month as your mouth gets used to the “new natural tooth or teeth,” and then the permanent crown or bridge is placed. The crown or bridge looks like a natural tooth, while the implant is hidden under the gum.
When you are given local anesthesia or non-conscious sedation, you will not feel pain during or shortly after the procedure. As the anesthesia wears off, you may feel some discomfort, and while the implants are healing, there may be some swelling and tenderness. Additionally, each patient experiences different levels of pain depending on how they were made. You can discuss any fears you have with our resident dentist as well as your pain management needs. Our resident dentist will discuss with you how to reduce and treat any discomfort or tenderness, so that your mouth feels normal again.
Our dentists have extensive experience in general dentistry, orthodontics and cosmetic surgery. When you visit our Dental Implants center in Barcelona, you will meet our team of experienced clinicians. Dr. Diego Uribe Echevarría is our resident implant surgeon, qualified and trained to identify and treat your dental implant needs, and you can rest assured that you are in good hands, having performed over 1,000 implant procedures.
The dental implant placement and healing process takes a few weeks, and patients heal at different rates. Each patient's needs also differ depending on the condition of their teeth, gums, and bone. Our resident dentists are sensitive to patients' needs and comfort levels. The experienced implant surgeon at Dental Implants BCN will discuss with you how to best care for your teeth, gums, and mouth during this time.
The dental implant procedure, as discussed in the FAQ above, takes between six weeks and six months, depending on the patient's healing rate. During this time, there are follow-up appointments with our implant dentist to check that everything is progressing well with your oral well-being. You can also phone us to discuss your needs at any time, and we will advise you on the care of your new implants. In some cases, patients wear bridges or dentures as temporary replacements while the implants heal. Our resident dentist will also advise you on the care of these replacement teeth.
Dental implants are a replacement for your natural teeth. The crown or bridge is the part of the tooth and the implant is not visible after it heals beneath the gum surface to the bone tissue. Caring for these dental implants does not differ much from caring for your natural teeth. Sometimes implants are placed next to natural teeth. Patients may undergo one, two, or a full mouth reconstruction. Making sure to brush your teeth twice a day with the correct brushing technique, using a fluoride toothpaste and chlorhexidine mouthwash, and flossing at least once a week helps prevent tartar and plaque buildup. Chewing sugarless gum after meals also contributes to good oral hygiene. It is essential to avoid any damage to the implant site, so gentle brushing and eating soft foods is recommended at first. Visiting our dental hygienist for regular checkups will also help you maintain both your natural and implant teeth.
Dental implants are used internationally, and are long-lasting with a very high success rate. Research has shown that some people have their implants in place for up to thirty years. To maintain strong teeth and gums, it is recommended to follow oral hygiene guidelines and visit our resident dentist regularly for a check-up. This way, we can help you identify any problems with your oral health early and provide you with the appropriate treatment you need.
The cost of dental implants depends on a number of factors, including the patient's specific needs, the choice of surgeon and surgery, the materials used to create the entire dental implant, the brand of implant, and the procedures used for treatment. In the UK, the cost can vary significantly depending on the number of implants needed, the patient's oral health, and the procedures involved. To reduce costs, some patients choose to seek alternative options or book their treatments abroad, but this can pose issues regarding aftercare.
At your initial consultation, following an X-ray or CT scan, our implant specialist dentist will advise you on the necessary treatments and all the costs involved and the payment options available.
After your initial consultation and examination, you may decide to delay your treatment for a while, and this can be conveniently arranged. You may also consider other options to replace your missing or damaged teeth, such as partial or full dentures and bridges. Partial dentures or bridges can be easily attached to your natural teeth. Full dentures can also be worn long-term by replacing and re-attaching the dentures for healthy wear. All of these options can be discussed with our resident dentist who is looking forward to meeting you, and helping you learn more about your oral hygiene so you can be healthier.
