Implant Treatment

What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a titanium screw that replaces the root of a missing tooth and is placed in the jawbone. Once it has fused with the bone, a permanent tooth is made on top of it, and this tooth passes chewing forces directly to the bone just like a natural tooth. Unlike a bridge, the neighbouring teeth do not need to be cut down, and unlike a removable denture, it stays fixed in the mouth.

At our practice in Konyaaltı, Antalya, implant planning and surgery are carried out personally by oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Seçil D. Sümengen Yazıcı. This means the same clinician follows every step, from surgery to the fitting of your permanent teeth.

Who Is It Suitable For?

Almost anyone whose jaw has finished growing and whose general health allows surgery can have implants. Implants are especially preferred in the following situations:

• When a single tooth is missing and the neighbouring teeth are healthy
• When several teeth are missing and a bridge is not wanted
• When all teeth have been lost and fixed teeth are preferred to a removable denture
• When an existing denture is loose and needs better retention

Uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking, previous radiotherapy to the jaw area and certain medicines that affect bone metabolism, such as bisphosphonates and denosumab, can change the treatment plan. This is why we discuss your general health and the medicines you take in detail at the examination.

The Implant Process

1. Examination and Imaging

Treatment starts with a thorough oral examination and a panoramic X-ray. When we need a clear view of the bone height and width and its distance to structures such as nerves and the sinus, a 3D CT scan is also requested.

2. Digital Planning

We take a 3D record of your teeth with our iTero intraoral scanner and plan the position of the implant and the shape of the tooth on a computer. After reviewing the plan together on screen, we decide together how many implants are needed, how long treatment will take and what will be done at each stage.

3. Placing the Implant

Implants are placed in the jawbone under local anaesthesia. For a single implant the procedure is usually short and you can return to your daily routine the same day. There may be mild swelling and sensitivity for the first few days, which is controlled with the medication provided and cold compresses.

4. Fusion with the Bone (Osseointegration)

For the implant to hold firmly, it must fuse with the jawbone. This takes between 2 and 6 months, depending on the area where the implant is placed and on any additional procedures such as a bone graft or sinus lift. During this period a temporary tooth is used in visible areas, and we monitor your healing closely with regular check-ups.

5. Fitting the Permanent Teeth

Once fusion is complete, a new digital impression is taken and the permanent tooth is made, usually in zirconium or porcelain. Its colour and shape are chosen to match your neighbouring teeth and the proportions of your face.

What If There Is Not Enough Bone?

When a tooth has been missing for a long time, the jawbone gradually shrinks and there may not be enough volume for an implant. In that case the bone can be rebuilt with a bone graft. In the upper back area, if the sinus sits too close to the bone, a sinus lift creates room for the implant. These procedures are often carried out in the same session as the implant, and sometimes a few months beforehand.

If bone loss in the upper jaw is severe, zygomatic implants anchored in the cheekbone or custom-made subperiosteal implants may be considered. These advanced surgical techniques require expertise in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Single Tooth, Several Teeth or a Full Arch

A single missing tooth needs one implant with a crown on top. If several teeth in a row are missing, a bridge can be planned on two implants instead of placing one implant per tooth. When all the teeth in a jaw are missing, a fixed arch of teeth is made on four or six implants. In suitable cases, temporary fixed teeth can be fitted on the day of surgery or within 24–48 hours. This decision depends on bone quality and how firmly the implant holds at placement.

Aesthetic and Natural Appearance

• The tooth is designed to match your natural tooth colour and shape.
• It blends with the gum line, so it does not look artificial.
• It supports your facial aesthetics and lip support.
• It lets light through like a natural tooth, giving a lifelike shine.
• If the implant is in the front of the mouth, it is planned together with smile design for a result tailored to you.

A Long-Lasting and Safe Solution

With the right care and regular check-ups, implants can be used without problems for many years. One of their important advantages is that they are placed without touching the neighbouring teeth.

• Biocompatible
• Strong Retention
• Bone Support
• Fixed in Place
• High Durability
• Tissue Friendly
• Permanent Solution
• Clinical Safety

An implant fuses with the jawbone to form a solid foundation, is placed without harming the neighbouring teeth and, because it does not move, feels fixed and secure.

Aftercare: What to Pay Attention To

• On the first day, avoid hot food and drinks and choose soft, lukewarm foods.
• Apply cold compresses to the outside of your face at intervals for the first 48 hours.
• Smoking slows fusion with the bone, so it is best stopped during healing.
• Use the recommended mouthwash and medication regularly. You can gently brush the teeth outside the treated area with a soft brush from the first day.
• Once the permanent teeth are fitted, clean around the implant every day with floss or an interdental brush.
• Come for a check-up at least once a year. The long life of an implant depends largely on these regular check-ups.

Content: Dr. Seçil D. Sümengen Yazıcı, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon · Last updated: 29 September 2026