Knowledge that gives you confidence.

The basic requirements are sufficient bone volume, stable oral health and controlled general health. Conditions such as untreated periodontitis, uncontrolled diabetes or heavy smoking can limit the indication. A CBCT scan and assessment of bone quality conclusively determine suitability.

No. Bone grafting (augmentation) is only needed when the available bone is not enough for a secure implant anchor – often after long-term tooth loss. With timely implantation after extraction, grafting can often be avoided or kept to a minimum.

In Germany, statutory health insurance pays a fixed contribution towards standard care, not towards the implant service itself. In Austria, the ÖGK contributes to basic care. In Switzerland, basic KVG insurance does not cover implants. Your own share therefore varies widely – the price matrix above gives guide values.

The implant placement itself takes about 30–60 minutes per implant and is performed painlessly under local anaesthesia or sedation. Post-operatively, swelling and mild pain occur for 2–4 days and are well controlled with standard analgesics.

In the first hours after the procedure you should not eat warm food. Soft diet is recommended for 1–2 weeks. You should not chew on the implant side for about 8 weeks. Final loading takes place after the healing phase is complete.

Osseointegration takes about 3 months in the lower jaw and 4–6 months in the upper jaw, as the bone is softer. With immediate loading, a provisional crown can be placed straight away – but only with very good primary stability.

With good oral hygiene and regular prophylaxis, the survival rate is over 95 % after 10 years and over 85 % after 20 years. The main cause of late loss is peri-implantitis – an inflammatory reaction that can be avoided through consistent follow-up care.

Yes, but implants require an adapted technique. Interdental cleaning with floss or interdental brushes around the implant is necessary daily. Sonic electric toothbrushes with soft bristles are recommended.

Peri-implantitis is an inflammation of the tissue around the implant that leads to bone loss. Warning signs are bleeding when brushing, swelling, redness and deepened pockets. If you notice these symptoms, see a dentist immediately.

When a denture no longer holds, the cause is usually bone loss in the jaw – the full denture loses its grip and causes pressure sores. Fixed teeth on implants or an All-on-X concept (4 or 6 implants per jaw) restore secure, fixed hold – without adhesive and without pressure sores. Fixed implant-supported restorations are functionally superior to removable dentures in edentulous patients [1].

A full denture lies loosely on the gums and is held by suction – with bone loss it no longer holds and rubs. All-on-X is a fixed restoration (4 or 6 implants per jaw): a complete arch is permanently anchored on four or six implants. You can bite firmly without having to remove the denture.

A full denture reaches its limits when the jawbone is severely resorbed – it no longer holds, causes pressure sores and restricts eating. From this point, fixed teeth on implants (e.g. All-on) are the medically and functionally better solution. A consensus paper on rehabilitating the edentulous upper jaw recommends implant-supported concepts as a reliable standard [4].

Yes. Pressure sores usually arise from a poorly fitting full denture that rubs on the resorbed jaw. Fixed teeth on implants or an All-on concept eliminate this friction because the restoration is firmly anchored and does not rest on the gum.

About a week before the procedure, pay attention to blood-thinning painkillers (e.g. ASA/ibuprofen in consultation), reduce nicotine and maintain thorough oral hygiene. Bring your CBCT images, a companion for the drive home (with sedation) and comfortable clothing.

With a procedure under local anaesthesia you are fit to drive afterwards. If sedation or general anaesthesia is chosen, you must bring a companion to take you home – you are not allowed to drive yourself that day.

At the consultation we discuss your medical history, medication and allergies, review the CBCT images, explain the planned procedure as well as the risks and alternatives, and brief you on aftercare. You also receive a written treatment plan with transparent costs.

With very good primary stability, a provisional crown or provisional bridge can be placed on the day of surgery (immediate restoration). The definitive ceramic restoration follows only after osseointegration is complete, so the implant can heal undisturbed.

Implant placement can be done under local anaesthesia, with sedation (twilight sleep) or under general anaesthesia. For most patients, local anaesthesia is perfectly adequate; sedation is chosen for longer procedures or greater discomfort. We decide together based on your situation.

In the first hours only cool and soft food (yoghurt, soup, purées, cold dairy) – nothing hot, nothing spicy, no hard pieces. About 1–2 weeks of soft diet, no chewing on the surgical side. It is best to avoid coffee, alcohol and nicotine entirely in the first few days as they interfere with wound healing.

Swelling usually peaks on the 2nd–3rd day and then subsides within a week. Mild pain is normal for 2–4 days and well controlled with standard analgesics. Cool from the outside (10 min on, 10 min off) and keep your head slightly raised when sleeping.

You should avoid physical exertion, sport, the sauna and heavy lifting for about 7–10 days to prevent post-operative bleeding and swelling. Ideally avoid flights and mountain trips for 1–2 weeks. Ask at the consultation about the best timing for planned travel.

On the day of surgery do not rinse and do not brush the wound. From the 2nd day, rinse gently with chlorhexidine solution (twice daily, 30 sec.) and brush the remaining teeth gently without touching the wound. The stitches usually dissolve on their own if absorbable, or are removed after about 7–10 days.

A wound check takes place after about 7–10 days, if necessary with stitch removal. With immediate restoration the provisional is also checked for fit and load. Exposure and impression-taking follow once healing is complete. If you experience sudden bleeding, fever or persistent swelling, contact us immediately.

A provisional is lightly loaded immediately, the definitive restoration only after osseointegration is complete (lower jaw approx. 3 months, upper jaw 4–6 months). Avoid hard or very tough foods entirely during healing so as not to compromise primary stability.

Every 4–6 months. With implant restorations, close-meshed recall appointments are more important than with natural teeth, because inflammation around implants causes pain later and can destroy bone unnoticed. Prophylaxis includes professional cleaning, pocket measurement and X-ray checks at regular intervals.

Yes. Titanium implants are not ferromagnetic and do not interfere with MRI scans or airport metal detectors. An implant card, which we give you, documents the material and position for treating providers.

We provide a manufacturer guarantee on the implant system and a statutory warranty on the prosthetic restoration. The conditions for validity are attendance at the recommended recall appointments and evidence of home oral hygiene. With good follow-up care, the survival rate is over 95 % after 10 years.

Implant loss is rare but is usually caused by peri-implantitis or overload. After healing, a new implant can sometimes be placed at the same or a neighbouring site, occasionally after minor bone grafting. We clarify the cause together and adjust your follow-up care to secure the replacement tooth.

Yes. Meta-analyses show that implant-supported restorations improve food intake and the nutritional status of older edentulous patients compared with full dentures [2,6] – a prerequisite for quality of life and independence in old age.

In obstructive sleep apnoea, a full denture can further impair the airways during sleep [3]. An implant-supported restoration avoids this burden and provides secure hold at night too.

Yes. Retention and oral-health-related quality of life differ between classically heat-polymerised, 3D-printed and polyamide bases [5] – a factor we consider together with you when planning your restoration.

3D-printed dental restorations are also suitable for complex cases – for example rehabilitation after tumour surgery [7]. In everyday use, they complement digital workflows and speed up the fabrication of precisely fitting restorations.