Implantation of teeth has entered the life of modern man, but still most people are wary of this operation. Expensive and long – these are the main associations. But this is not the case at all.
An implant is a titanium pin (rod) that is screwed into the gum. There it overgrows bone tissue and serves as a solid base for a crown. Why is it better to have an implant? Implant-supported bridges and dentures hold firmly and do not irritate the mucosa. They prevent bone loss, which means that your smile remains youthful and your jaw does not droop. In addition, implants are easy to care for, no different from natural teeth.
What about expensive and time-consuming?
Yes, implants are not cheap. But dentures and bridges need to be replaced regularly, while implants will last for the rest of your life. And it’s not so clear-cut about “long” anymore. There are different implant protocols. Two-stage, also called classical, take several months. But now implants with immediate loading are becoming more and more common. You can literally insert implants and crowns in one day. No holes in the tooth row and no long waits. Temporary crowns carry the entire functional load without any hassle.
Not so expensive anymore and not long at all, but still – where is the best place to do dental implants?
There are several criteria that will help with the choice.
What guarantees the patient receives
On the site of whatever dentistry you do not go to, there will be a lot of promises. You can be confused. Or see the words “lifetime warranty” and decide – this is what you need. Don’t be in a hurry, because warranties come in many forms.
Implant warranty
This is the one that is most likely to be a lifetime warranty. All reputable manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on their implants. Knowing that the post will not rust, disintegrate or oxidize is certainly nice. But what happens if the implant doesn’t take root? There are clinics that take it upon themselves to re-install the implant in case of rejection. Implantation is a complex, multi-stage process and we would like to be sure of quality at all stages
Guarantee for the work of doctors
Here everything is not so rosy. Only dental centers, which are confident in the professionalism of their implantologists and value their reputation, undertake such obligations. Only highly qualified doctors are able to place implants qualitatively. Usually, the guarantee on the work of doctors is not as long as on the products. On average, it is 1, maximum 2 years. It is important to understand that the responsibility under the contract, in case of trouble, is borne by the clinic. A large center will be in its place in 2 and 3 years, but a tiny dentistry can close at any time. Together with it, the warranty obligations will disappear.
Cost
If the advertising brochure indicates the cost of “turnkey” and it is very attractive, it is better to clarify what exactly is included in this concept. Different centers interpret this concept differently. Is it just the installation of the implant or is it a post, work of the doctor, abutment (transitional element) and crown? In a good clinic, the turnkey price includes all diagnostic and treatment procedures, no additional expenses. The patient can immediately see if the service fits into his budget.
What affects the price
- The cost of the implant itself
The price range is quite significant. Traditionally, Swiss implants belong to the premium class. Korean and Israeli – to the budget. German and American ones occupy an intermediate position. Chinese implants are a “cat in a bag”, you can never guess the quality.
- Placement protocol
One-stage protocol is more expensive. At first glance. After all, with immediate loading implants, the number of visits is significantly reduced. This method requires fewer manipulations, the rehabilitation period is shorter. For a non-resident patient, this method can, on the contrary, save money. And there is nothing to say about time.
One-stage protocol with immediate loading
Nevertheless, it is always good to have a choice. If the patient prefers a two-stage protocol, the price will be lower.
Two-stage classical implantation with delayed loading
- Clinic equipment
An ancient X-ray apparatus inherited from Soviet dentistry saves a lot of money. But it does not give out much information. Modern equipment is expensive, but the examination is detailed and takes into account all the features of anatomy.
- Qualification of doctors
The choice between a novice and an experienced implantologist is obvious. But you have to pay for qualification. The doctor invests in his training, improving his skills.
The patient invests in the quality of the procedure, in the possibility to put the implant and forget about it.
- Additional manipulations
Sometimes before placing an implant, it is necessary to sanitize the oral cavity, treat neighboring teeth or control the inflammatory process. This also affects the cost.
What dental centers save on
Clinics, for which reputation is less important than immediate income, save money on us, the patients. They do this by applying different tricks.
Sterility
When we come to the dentist, we believe that everything around is sterile, surfaces are treated, instruments have just come out of the autoclave. As for the instruments, it is usually so, but the rest! A little bit of antiseptic, wiped the surface not 4 times, but 2, and look and saved a penny. And the treatment of instruments can be ordinary, and may be carried out on the system “Antispid”, “Anti-hepatitis”….
Sterilization in ROOTT clinics according to the system “Antispid”, “Antihepatitis”.
Antiseptics
According to the rules, the type of antiseptic agent should be changed every six months. This is where social responsibility comes into play. Some centers do it even more often, and others – do not bother at all. The main thing – cheap, and that the flora becomes resistant, so maybe it will pass. It is almost impossible to prove the fact of infection in dentistry.
Instruments
Responsible clinics use disposable instruments wherever possible. Reusable ones are double disinfected. But irresponsible ones try to save on both. They are much more likely to get infected. For implantation, sterility is especially important. The slightest infection can negate the efforts of the doctor. It is good if there is a guarantee for the work. Only in such centers it is usually absent.
Materials
Once in the dentistry, where they work with a dozen brands, it is difficult to be sure that cheaper materials, or even tools, are not used in more expensive systems. High-end clinics prefer selected brands and will certainly not use Chinese materials when working with Swiss implants. Global manufacturers make deliveries in kits. Everything is provided there – tools, materials. Everything is verified, confirmed by certificates of conformity. Ties with the brand are long-standing, no one will risk them because of imaginary benefits.
Diagnostics
Even the smallest details are important in implantation, so the presence of modern diagnostic equipment is an indispensable condition when choosing a clinic. Hardly anyone wants to go somewhere else to have a CT scan or a panoramic image taken. Own equipment not only saves patients’ time, it allows doctors to use it constantly, get used to it and know what to expect. A well-equipped clinic is sure to have an X-ray machine, both conventional and for panoramic images. The tomography helps to assess the volume of bone tissue, the panoramic image gives a complete picture of the structure of the jaw, and the sight picture determines how best to install the implant. One of the criteria for choosing where to do dental implantation should be the availability of modern diagnostic equipment.
Computer tomography and 3D planning of the future operation
Implantologists
Most importantly, make sure that the implantologist is not a visiting one, but is part of the clinic staff. If the doctor is here today and there tomorrow, it will be difficult for you to get an appointment, and simply to track his movements from clinic to clinic. In addition, incoming consultants are not much concerned with the prestige of the dental center, they do not have close ties with doctors from other departments and technicians.
Education also plays a role. Not just a basic one obtained years ago, but one that is constantly updated. Is the doctor certified to work with a particular brand? How long has she been taking courses and attending trainings? Implantology is akin to programming – you get distracted for a while and that’s it, you can’t catch up. Just placing a dental implant is not enough these days, you need to use current techniques with a high rate of engraftment.
Technical basis
Another criterion when choosing where to place dental implants is the presence of its technical laboratory. The implant is in the gum, no one can see it, while a crown or artificial jaw is in plain sight. Not only is it important to ensure that the denture is highly functional, but also aesthetically pleasing. Never third-party technicians will put as much effort, select the shade, and grind out small details as much as those who work in the center.
Getting dental implants placed is the doctor’s job, dentures are the technician’s responsibility.
Licenses and certificates
The clinic where you can install an implant must necessarily have a license for this type of activity. Certificates confirming partnerships with supplier companies protect against counterfeiting. Doctors are awarded certificates upon completion of brand-specific training. Usually, dental centers are proud of their achievements and display documents for public viewing. If certificates and licenses are not visible – something is wrong with the clinic.
How to choose a clinic for dental implantation in Moscow
Using the above criteria. Believe me, the list will turn out to be not so long, but there will definitely be the Moscow dental implantation center ROOTT. It is among the 30 best dental centers in Moscow. Rating of the center according to patient reviews: 4,8.
Let’s go over the selection criteria:
The Swiss firm Trate AG produces implants with an indefinite warranty. And ICDI ROOTT guarantees successful work of the doctor.
All prices are transparent and final, no hidden fees. Implantation is subject to tax deduction, which significantly reduces the cost of the operation. Right in the clinic you can apply for a loan or installments.
If possible, disposable ones are used. Reusable ones undergo two-stage disinfection. It is convenient to place dental implants of the Swiss brand ROOTT because all components come in sterile packaged sets.
Only from well-known European brands. All materials have certificates of conformity.
- Antiseptic treatment
Conducted several times a day. All proportions are observed according to the requirements of sanitary and epidemiological supervision.
- Diagnostic department
Before placing dental implants, a comprehensive diagnosis is carried out. SCANORA digital radiovisiograph is used for a targeted image. With its help, the doctor evaluates the condition of the teeth next to the missing one. Panoramic image shows the general picture, the anatomical structure of the jaws. Computed tomography is used to determine the density of bone tissue, identifies pathologies that may interfere with surgery. CT is also used to choose the angle of the implant and its size.
Implantologists of the ROOTT ICSDI have experience from 9 to 35 years. All of them have been working at the center for several years at a time. This means that as part of their membership in the Open Society of Dentists, they regularly undergo training and education, participate in conferences and symposiums.
- Technical laboratory
Having your own laboratory is the key to close collaboration between doctor and technician. Working together brings them closer together, helps them to easily understand tasks and translate them into a finished product. Continuous professional development is mandatory not only for the doctors of the ROOTT IDC, but also for the technicians.
About the dental laboratory of the ROOTT Clinic
The Innovative Center for Implant Technology has all the necessary permits for all the activities it performs. ICDI ROOTT is the flagship clinic of the Swiss implant manufacturer Trate AG. Many current implantation techniques were first tested here.
On the clinic’s website you can read and watch video testimonials from customers. On numerous videos implantation is performed right in front of your eyes. The before and after photo reports convince you that dental implants can be placed at the ROOTT ICDI with a guarantee of a high degree of grafting.
It is up to the patient to decide which clinic to use for dental implants. We hope that this article will help you make an informed choice.