WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

Dental Implants are titanium biocompatible rods or screws embedded surgically into the jawbone. An extension (called an abutment) is then secured to the dental implant so that a new dental crown can placed on it, giving you the fully functionality and look of natural teeth that will last longer than a lifetime.

A dental implant is an excellent way of replacing a single tooth without the disadvantages of a fixed bridge or removable dentures. It is the ideal treatment for a missing tooth because it does not affect your adjacent teeth. That means no grinding or crowning of your natural teeth for bridges, and no clasps for removable partial dentures.

Your teeth stimulate the surrounding bone with each bite. This preserves the integrity of the bone. Why is this important?

When a tooth is lost, the bone is not stimulated and begins to shrink away. A dental implant keeps this bone intact and can prevent both bone loss and gum tissue shrinkage. In addition, because a dental implant restores the root structure, the jawbone is better preserved. A dental implant is also much easier to clean as compared to a bridge. And unlike a bridge, an implant can not be affected by cavities. A dental implant looks and functions like a natural tooth while having several advantages over other types of tooth replacement.

If you are missing a single tooth or several teeth, implant dentistry provides the most natural-looking option to restore them.

WHY ARE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE CHOOSING TO HAVE DENTAL IMPLANTS DONE ABROAD?

It’s not only cheaper, (about 50-70 % off UK dental prices), it’s also much quicker (just 3 overnight visits needed as opposed to many multiple visits).

Why are dental implants cheaper abroad than in the UK?

At our base in Croatia, dental implants can be bought in bulk at a better rate from the suppliers, the monthly rent of the dental clinics is less, the dental staff wages are less, the dental laboratory costs are less, and their dental patient load is much less compared to that of UK dentists.

Therefore an implant dentist in Croatia can be content doing just 4-6 large dental cases per day, as opposed to the pressure of 10’s dental patients with less extensive dental work to be done as the case is with many NHS dentists in the UK.

In general, you can expect to save 50-70% on the price you would pay for dental implant treatment in the UK.

HOW LONG DOES THE TYPICAL DENTAL IMPLANT PROCESS TAKE AT OUR CLINIC IN CROATIA?

Most of us run a very busy life. Even if you are a busy person, do not rush the treatment: implants need a certain healing period. Otherwise, the best result can not be reached.

Implants need 2-3 visits to the dental surgery and need at least 2 days stay at a time. Do not trust dentists that promise shorter healing periods and require fewer visits. Most dental clinics will tell you 3-6 months of healing time and each visit lasts one week.

However, due to the high expertise of Dr. Grbac, a typical dental implant case done by our dental clinic in Croatia, just 3 short visits are required and each visit should be an overnight stay spaced evenly over 2-3 months according to the implantologists instructions.

WHAT ARE THE OVERALL COSTS?

We have no hidden or extra costs, airport transfer, digital x-rays, temporary crowns, dental work, expert consultation sessions, cups of tea and smiles all included.

However, apart from your accommodation costs and 3x cheap flight costs to Rijeka from the UK, you can expect to pay:

• Locator attachments on implants £236
• Implant Bar Overdenture  £945
• Implant Denti £315
• Implant Nobel £550
• Dental Implant abutment (titanium) £236
• Dental Implant abutmen (zirconic) £315

On top of this you will need to decide for a single dental crown (£300), or some dental bridgework involving adjacent teeth (£300 per tooth or tooth gap) or a fixed denture.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH BONE FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS TO BE DONE?

Experienced Dental Implantologists can tell from the initial digital OPG X-ray if a bone graft or sinus lift will be needed to support the dental implants.

HOW LONG ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS GUARANTEED FOR?

All our dental implants, whatever the brand or type, are guaranteed for a lifetime.

DOES DENTAL IMPLANT TREATMENT HURT?

Teeth are much harder and have a better nerve supply than bone. Thus it is easier to make the mouth numb to do a dental implant than it is to do a filling or an extraction. Most dental implants these days are placed using local anesthesia, the mouth may be sore for a few days but heals rapidly.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE ANY TEETH AT ALL?

Then you are surely interested in a solution called “all on 4″ where just 4 dental implants are used to support a bridge of up to 10-12 new teeth formed in a bridge for the upper or lower jaw.

Having many missing teeth is detrimental to health and replacing these teeth is very important. Just as with one missing tooth, several missing teeth can be aided with dental implants and combined prosthodontics work. Implant-supported bridges are permanently fixed in the mouth, unlike removable appliances.

Dental implants look and function like natural teeth without needing the support of neighboring teeth. Because dental implants restore the root of the natural tooth, they preserve the jawbone and prevent bone deterioration. This preservation of the jawbone helps to keep both the bone and gum tissue from collapsing, which may lead to an unattractive smile. In addition, with a traditional bridge, cement can wash out from underneath the bridge exposing the tooth, allowing cavities to form. Dental implants do not get cavities, but brushing and flossing are extremely important to maintain healthy gums and help in keeping plaque away from the bone and gum tissue.

Dentures will fit more securely and comfortably with overdenture implants. This will minimize any discomfort and movement (slipping) that is common with normal dentures. Many older adults are turning towards dental implant-supported dentures for their greater comfort and confidence with dentures. Many people are often able to eat the foods they couldn’t with their old dentures.