Dental Implant (FAQ Page)

Abutment is a connector part of an implant that is used for making a connection between the implant and the crown, which is placed on top of your implant screw for your visible tooth restoration.

You may already have implants surgically put in your mouth. However, abuments are still needed in order for us to be able to attach your crown securely in place. Abutment enables the crown to fit properly, stay stable and have a natural tooth position.

If your existing implants were placed some time ago by a different provider, we may still need to use new custom abutments which match the crown design manufactured by our lab-work and compatible with your bite type.

Dental implant treatment protocol is the same worldwide. It is handled in two visits. This is mainly due to the surgical healing time your body needs and for your bone to integrate with the implant completely, a process called osteointegration.

In your first visit, we will be placing your dental implants into your jawbone using surgical instruments. Following that, your body will need time usually around 3 to 6 months for the implant to fuse together with your bone tissue. This healing step is crucial to your treatment’s long-term success.

Imagine this operation like planting a tree. You first plant the seed and give time for your seed to take root. It’s only after your tree becomes strong and stable that it will be able to grow fully and support its branches. Your tooth restoration will be added on top of your implant after this process is completed.

Great question. The difference in the treatment duration comes down to the technique used in the treatment.

At Soho, we follow a modern, minimally invasive method which prevents excessive surgical trauma to your bone and gums. We perform your surgery on your first day and attach your healing caps. You may have heard of these healing caps as “gingivaformers” or “healing abutments”. These allow for the implant’s surrounding hard and soft tissue to heal properly to be finished with a tooth restoration.

After your healing caps are attached, we take your impression to manufacture your fixed temporary teeth, which will be attached to screws on your implants. On your third day, we attach your fixed temporary teeth and you can fly back home.

Of course they do. Well-established and long-running implant brands boast of decades of research and development behind their name as well as strict manufacturing standards and have global support networks. This means you will have a much easier time finding compatible components if you ever need maintenance for your implants even back in your home country.

Lesser-known or very low-cost brands may not offer that same reliability. Imagine when buying a car; a trusted, international brand gives you the confidence that you will find spare parts, service centers whereever you go.

However, the main point to absolutely consider here is the expertise of your preferred maxillofacial surgeon. As a patient, it is crucial to choose your doctor wisely because no matter the brand, even the best implant brands may fail after surgery if they are performed by dentists without proper experience and surgical expertise.

A successful implantation involves key points such as knowing where on your jawbone is the most suitable location to put your implants, whether you need to get your sinus lifted in order to reinforce it with bone powder called grafts etc.

Imagine going with the lowest cost possible to cut back on surgical expertise and established implant brands. Noone likes to gamble with their health. At least that’s what our work ethics and common sense tell us.

Dental implants have been shown to have a very high success rate that is over 95%. It is true that in rare cases, an implant may not heal properly or may fail over time. If that happens, you have no need to worry, it’s not the end of the road for you.

If there is such an occurrence during the early healing phase, we remove it, let the area heal, and then plan a second attempt. Bone grafting may be considered further in such procedures.

The bone tissue in your middle frontal area (where your incisor teeth are located) has softer bone tissue and is not preferred for dental implants. This is why an expert maxillofacial surgeon assesses and measures the best angle and location in your mouth for your unique case when performing treatments protocols such as all on 4 or all on 6.

In most cases, the solution is straightforward and successful, especially when you’re treated at a clinic experienced in handling such cases. There are quite a lot of parameters that are handled by an expert maxillofacial surgeon that you don’t have to deal with. This is the main reason why we recommend not going forward with cheap clinics and choosing dentists with questionable credentials. Dental implant surgery is still a surgery and requires adequate preparation with proper knowledge and experience.

At our clinic, we also provide follow-up care and clear guidance to help minimize risks and keep your implants healthy for years to come. Plus, your treatment will be subject to complication insurance if performed at our clinic. In addition, we stand by our work — so if something does go wrong, you will not be left on your own.

In most cases, yes! You will still be able to get implants even if you have lost bone before. This is a common condition that is regularly encountered in patients, especially cases where tooth loss has been present for a long time. But there are advanced treatment solutions that work around it.

Usually, for treatment protocols such as All-on-4 or All-on-6, We often place implants in areas where the bone is naturally stronger for retention, so grafting may not be needed.

However, if your sinuses have extended down to your jawbone due to bone loss, a procedure called bone grafting is preferred. In this procedure, there is an surgical intervention called sinus lifting which involves making space within your sinus cavity in order to insert medical grade bone tissue to build up bone in the area for implantation.

You can think of this as renovating a house. If the foundation is not strong enough in one spot, an expert finds another way to safely support the structure. It’s just the same with implant treatment. We tailor your treatment plan to suit your needs and your current health condition.

During your consultation, we’ll take 3D scans to assess current condition and offer the best and most comfortable solution for your needs. We will always explain the what, the how and the when to you to serve you in the best way that we can.

Yes, you can still get implants even if you are a smoker. It doesn’t disqualify you for implantation. However, it’s important to know that smoking does bring the increased risk of complications.

Smoking affects your blood flow and your body’s healing capability. These are both essential for your implants to successfully bond with your jawbone. It may also raise the chances of infection around your surgical area which may lead to implant failure, especially during the early stages of your healing process. This is the reason why we strongly recommend quitting or at least reducing smoking before and after your implant surgery.

It’s just like growing a plant. If the pot’s soil is dry and the conditions are tough, the plant might still grow, but it will need more care and attention. It’s the same when it comes to dental implants. The more supportive your environment, the better your treatment outcome will be.

During our consultations, we always aim to talk openly about your lifestyle, evaluate the condition of your oral health and make a plan that gives your implants the best chance to succeed.

The main difference between these two treatments is the amount of implants used in the treatment. 4 implants per jaw and 6 implants per jaw.

Both methods provide patients with a full set of fixed teeth. All on 6 offers extra support and stability. This can be helpful if you have stronger bone density or want an even more secure foundation for long-term durability.

Let’s take a look at this with an example. You are building a bridge, and you can build a safe, strong bridge with four support beams. However, if the ground allows, you may go with increasing the strength and balance even more by adding two extra supports and make it even more resilient.

The decision depends on bone structure, your general oral health condition and your bite force. Following the assessment of your case, your surgeon will recommend the option that best suits your case. Yes, each case is unique in dentistry and requires expert planning and consideration.

Both treatment protocols offer great lifetime results. The key is finding the right expert for the job that will painstakingly assess and evaluate your case with due diligence. That’s exactly what we do for all our patients here at Soho Clinic.

Of course! Patients with chronic conditions can still receive dental implants. It depends on how well your condition is controlled. If your diabetes is well-managed (meaning that your blood sugar is at stable levels), your body will have the ability to heal properly after your implant surgery.

We will kindly ask you tos hare your blood sugar levels from your HbA1c Test. If the test values allow, you will be able to get implant surgery unless there is some other condition that would actually prevent you from getting dental implants.

That’s why we always ask about your medical history first, and may request blood test results to understand your overall health before planning the treatment of your unique case.

The answer is Yes. As long as the patient’s overall health is stable and well-managed, patients with conditions like HIV, Hep B, Hep C can safely receive dental implant treatment and other procedures.

The points of considerance here are your immune status, viral load and whether you’re under proper medical care and monitoring. Thanks to right precautions and planning, dental treatment and surgery can be done safely and successfully.

We always coordinate with your medical team as needed to ensure the timing and conditions are right for your post-op healing process.

We follow strict universal infection control protocols for all our patients, so you will be treated with the same level of care and respect as anyone else. Your medical history will stay confidential, and your health and well-being will be our utmost priority. It is every patient’s right to ask to receive health care regardless of their condition, and we are here to support you every step of your journey.

Unless the space caused by tooth loss requires more than one implant, dental implants are preferred instead of bridges mainly because they offer a long-lasting solution without affecting your healthy teeth.

Bridge treatment requires shaving down the healthy teeth on either side of your gap so that they can support the replacement tooth in the middle. This means permanently altering your healthy teeth just to fix one missing tooth. An implant here is used without shaving your healthy teeth and replaces what is lost and enables your healthy teeth to stay untouched.

Implants also help preserve bone in your jaw. When a tooth is missing, the underlying bone tissue begins to shrink over time. Implants attach to and stimulate the bone tissue just like a tooth root, providing a firm grip and keeping your facial structure intact. Bridges won’t do this.

You might feel some discomfort, swelling, or mild soreness in the first few days, which is similar to what you would feel after having a tooth pulled. However, this is usually well controlled with over-the-counter painkillers and the medication we will prescribe to you.

On your first day of the operation, You will also be asked to follow a 5-minutes-on, 5-minutes-off application of an ice pack we will be providing you. This is to aid you in preventing the swelling which is also reinforced further by the pain medication we’ll be prescribing you, which will act as your anti-inflammatory. The pain is typically the strongest in the first 48 hours and then quickly improves.

Moreover, during the procedure itself, you won’t feel any pain because we use local anesthesia and also offer sedation options to keep you relaxed and comfortable or put you to sleep throughout the procedure in case you prefer that.

Absolutely. Patient comfort is top priority at our clinic. We’d like to keep your treatments as comfortable and stress-free as possible, especially people who would feel anxious about dental procedures.

We offer three types of sedation depending on your needs and medical history. These are;

• Local anesthesia, which numbs only the area being operated on. It’s the most common and widespread method that is included in all our implant procedures.
• IV Sedation, also called twilight sedation, which keeps you relaxed and calm during the treatment while still being awake. Many patients won’t even remember the procedure afterward.
• General anesthesia, which is used for cases where deeper sedation is necessary. This kind of sedation is typically done with an anesthesiologist present.

Before your treatment, we will comprehensively discuss your options, answer any questions you may have and choose the safest, most comfortable solution tailored for your treatment plan. Your peace of mind matters just as much as your smile to us.