Dental implants in Trieste
- “I’m missing a tooth”
- “My denture moves”
- “I’d like fixed teeth”
An implant is a titanium root that takes the place of a missing tooth and supports a crown, a bridge or a fixed denture. At our practice in Via San Nicolò, if your tooth is still there, we look at every possible way of saving it before any surgery.
In suitable patients, after a thorough examination.
What it is
Dental implantology uses titanium implants to replace missing natural roots. The implants are designed to integrate with the jawbone and provide a stable base for crowns, bridges or dentures.
What an implant is for
- Appearance: the crown on the implant is built to the shape and colour of the neighbouring teeth.
- Durability: with proper care, implants can last for many years.
- Function: it helps you chew and speak properly again.
- Bone: implants help limit the loss of jawbone.
- Stability: a fixed solution that needs no adhesives.
Who it is for, and who it is not for
Who it is for
- People who have lost one or more teeth, or have a tooth that cannot be saved.
- People with a removable denture who would like a fixed solution.
- People who don’t have much bone, using regenerative techniques, after an assessment.
When it is not done, or should wait
If you’ve just lost a tooth in an accident, it isn’t time for an implant: it’s urgent, so call the practice straight away (what to do meanwhile is on the urgent care page).
Not every patient is an ideal candidate: general health, and local factors such as gum disease or teeth grinding, can affect the result.
Implants are not placed until the bones have finished growing, and gum disease is treated first.
Tell us if you smoke, have diabetes, have had radiotherapy to the head or neck or chemotherapy, take or have taken bone medicines (for osteoporosis or for cancer) or blood thinners, or have a bleeding disorder: in some cases an implant isn’t advisable, in others it needs extra care.
A full assessment by the dentist is needed to decide whether implants are the right solution.
Step by step
How it works
- Examination, and a 3D CT scan when neededDiagnosis and precise planning of the surgery.
- PreparationA professional cleaning, to reduce the risk of infection.
- SurgeryUnder local anaesthesia the titanium root is placed; with immediate loading, if the implants are stable, a fixed temporary crown or bridge the same day.
- HealingThe implant integrates with the bone, usually in 3 to 6 months; we see you for check-ups throughout.
- Final crown, bridge or dentureThe temporary crown, bridge or denture is replaced with the final one.
- MaintenanceRegular check-ups, at least three times a year, and good oral hygiene at home.
We look at every possible way of saving your tooth before any invasive surgery.
The Kravos & Guadagno practice
Immediate loading
With immediate loading, in suitable patients, you can have fixed temporary teeth on the day of surgery, without having to wear a removable denture in the meantime.
This happens if the implants are stable during surgery; otherwise the implants heal first, usually for 3 to 6 months. In the weeks after, the temporary teeth need to be spared, with soft food, and the overall treatment time can be shorter.
In suitable patients, after a thorough examination.
When there is not enough bone
For patients who have lost bone volume we use regenerative techniques, which can make an implant possible even when the bone is not enough.
The techniques
- Bone grafts, to restore the bone volume needed.
- Maxillary sinus lift, to increase the bone in the upper jaw.
- Regenerative membranes, to help the tissues regenerate naturally.
Before the session and in the days after
Before the session
- Before surgery you have a professional cleaning.
- Instructions for the day of surgery, and which medicines to take or stop, are decided at the visit, also with the doctor who prescribes them: never stop blood thinners or antiplatelet medicines on your own initiative, and tell us if you take bone medicines.
In the days after
- On the day of surgery, liquid and cold food, and ice on the cheek during the first 24 hours, at 20-minute intervals; don’t drive straight afterwards.
- In the following days, soft food, no smoking and no sport; we see you for check-ups throughout healing.
- Implants are more prone to inflammation than natural teeth: oral hygiene at home and check-ups help keep them healthy.
Risks, explained honestly
In the days after surgery, pain, swelling and bruising are common, usually kept under control with the medicines we recommend, and they pass; more rarely, an infection.
Rare risks you should know about: in surgery on the lower jaw, damage to a nerve, which can leave the lower lip, chin or half of the tongue numb, temporarily or permanently; in the upper jaw, a perforation of the lining of the maxillary sinus, with the risk of sinusitis.
Regenerative techniques can require extra procedures and carry their own complications, such as exposure of the materials or an infection.
An implant may not integrate with the bone; over time the screws can loosen or break, and inflammation around the implant (peri-implantitis) can develop and must be treated promptly: gum disease, smoking, diabetes and poor hygiene make it more likely.
No treatment can give certainty of success: a failure isn’t always avoidable, even when everything is done correctly.
The alternatives
- Saving the tooth, when possible: the first step of our Preserva Method.
- A bridge on the neighbouring teeth, an adhesive bridge or a removable denture: no surgery and shorter times; we discuss the pros and cons of each at the visit.
- Not replacing the tooth: a possible choice, with consequences we explain at the visit.
When to call
Call the practice if, after surgery:
- the swelling or pain increases instead of going down, or the pain doesn’t ease with the medicines you were given;
- you develop a fever;
- the bleeding doesn’t stop after biting on a piece of gauze for 20 minutes;
- your lip, chin or tongue stays numb or tingles after the anaesthesia has worn off;
- an implant or the temporary crown or bridge feels loose.
If you find it hard to breathe, swallow or speak, if the swelling spreads up towards the eye or down towards the neck, if you cannot open your mouth, or after a blow to the head, call 112 straight away or go to the emergency department. During opening hours call the practice. Out of hours, for severe pain or swelling, the two partners' mobiles; if they do not answer, the out-of-hours doctor on 116117, and the emergency department if bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes of pressure with gauze or if the swelling comes with a high fever. A piece that comes off or a wire that pokes, if there is no severe pain and no swelling, can usually wait until the practice reopens.
Questions
What you ask us
How much do dental implants cost?
The cost varies with the type of implant, with any additional procedures such as bone regeneration, and with the position of the implants. An accurate estimate needs an examination, with a 3D CT scan when needed, and careful planning.
Will the surgery hurt?
During surgery, local anaesthesia prevents pain. In the following days pain and swelling are common, usually kept under control with the medicines we recommend.
Beforehand you have a professional cleaning, to reduce the risk of infection, and we see you for check-ups throughout healing.
How long do implants last?
It depends on the quality of the surgery and of the crown, bridge or denture, and on keeping up maintenance and prevention, with check-ups at least three times a year; the person matters too: age and starting conditions, and smoking, past gum disease and uncontrolled diabetes increase the risk of problems.
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An appointment
We can talk it through at your appointment
Leave your name and phone number: the front desk will call you back in the time slot you prefer.
You will be called back by our front desk: Sara, Désirée, Giulia, Giovanni and Nicole.
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+39040660040Monday to Thursday 9:00-19:00, Friday 9:00-18:00