When is an implant a good solution?
An implant can be a good option if you are missing a tooth, if a tooth can no longer be treated, or if you want a loose denture to sit more firmly. Important conditions are healthy gums, sufficient jawbone and good general health. Smoking and poorly controlled diabetes increase the risk of complications; we discuss this with you beforehand.
What does the treatment involve?
1. Examination. The implant dentist examines your mouth and, if necessary, takes a CBCT scan. This shows exactly how much bone there is and where nerves and sinuses are located.
2. Treatment plan and cost estimate. You receive an explanation of the options, risks and alternatives, and a written cost estimate.
3. Placement. The implant is placed under local anaesthetic. If there is not enough bone, it can be built up beforehand or at the same time.
4. Healing Over a few months, the implant fuses with the bone. During this period, you receive a temporary solution if needed.
5. The final crown. We take a digital impression with our intraoral scanner, after which the crown is made in the dental laboratory and fixed onto the implant.
Who carries out the treatment?
Implant treatments are carried out by implant dentist Gijs Dekkers. Gijs works at our practice on alternate Mondays. Your own dentist at Florens remains involved in the rest of your dental care.
Recovery and aftercare
After placement, you may have some swelling and pain for a few days; an ordinary painkiller is usually enough. You receive written instructions to take home. After that, an implant needs the same care as a natural tooth: good brushing, cleaning between the teeth and regular check-ups.
Costs and insurance
The costs depend on the number of implants, whether bone needs to be built up and which crown or denture is placed on top. A single implant with a crown costs approximately €2,100 to €2,800. You always receive a cost estimate in advance. Implants for a single missing tooth are usually not covered by basic health insurance; some supplementary policies reimburse part of the costs. Only in specific situations, such as implants to secure a denture in a toothless jaw, is part of the treatment covered by basic insurance.
Alternatives
A missing tooth can also be replaced with a bridge or a (partial) removable denture. Sometimes doing nothing is also an option. We discuss the pros and cons of each option with you.