A missing tooth is not merely an aesthetic concern. Over time the gap causes neighbouring teeth to tilt, the opposing tooth to over-erupt and the jawbone in that area to resorb. Implant treatment interrupts this chain at the earliest stage and offers function closest to a natural tooth. This article brings together the questions patients most often ask at our clinic in Eyüpsultan, Istanbul.
Who Is Suitable for Implant Treatment?
Almost any adult in reasonable general health, with healthy gums and adequate jawbone volume, is a candidate. All three of these criteria can be assessed and, in most cases, improved. If gum disease is present, periodontal treatment is completed first; if bone volume is insufficient, grafting creates a suitable foundation.
Age alone is not a barrier. We have placed implants for patients in their seventies, and equally we ask younger patients to wait until their early twenties because jaw growth must be complete. What matters is bone condition and general health rather than chronological age.
Uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking and bone density medications can affect healing. These are not absolute contraindications, but the treatment plan must be adjusted accordingly — which is why it is important to share your full medical history and current medications at the first consultation.
How Is Treatment Planned?
At the first appointment, a thorough examination is followed by three-dimensional CT imaging. This shows bone height and thickness, together with the exact position of the nerve canal in the lower jaw and the sinus cavity in the upper jaw. The angle, depth and dimensions of the implant are planned digitally in advance.
This planning stage is the part patients rarely notice, yet it determines the outcome more than anything else. The surgery itself is simply the execution of a well-made plan.
The Surgical Stage and the Question of Pain
Implant placement is carried out under local anaesthetic and generally takes 30 to 60 minutes for a single implant. There is no pain during the procedure; patients most often describe a sensation of pressure and vibration. It is worth noting that implant surgery is usually more comfortable than a tooth extraction.
Mild swelling and tenderness may occur over the first two days, managed easily with cold compresses and the recommended painkiller. Most of our patients return to their normal working routine the following day.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
This is the most frequent question, and the answer depends on the jaw. Integration with the bone takes an average of two to three months in the lower jaw and three to six months in the upper jaw. Where bone grafting is required, a few additional months may be needed.
You are never left without teeth during this period. A temporary tooth is provided in visible areas, so social and professional life continues uninterrupted. Once integration is complete, impressions are taken and the permanent crown is fitted within about two weeks.
Notes for Patients Travelling to Eyüp, Istanbul
Because implant treatment is not completed in a single visit, planning the appointment schedule correctly from the outset matters. For patients coming from Eyüpsultan and the surrounding districts we usually structure it as follows: initial examination and imaging, the surgical appointment, a review after ten days, brief monthly checks during the integration period, and finally the restorative appointments.
For patients living abroad or travelling from outside Istanbul, the schedule can be condensed around your travel dates. In that case we hold the initial consultation by phone or WhatsApp so that the number of appointments achievable during your stay is clear before you arrive.
Aftercare
Implants cannot decay, but the gum around them can become inflamed just as it does around natural teeth. Left untreated, this condition — peri-implantitis — destroys the bone supporting the implant. Brushing twice daily, cleaning between the teeth with interdental brushes and attending six-monthly reviews are a continuation of the treatment rather than optional extras.
Long-term studies show well-maintained implants serving for twenty years and beyond. Smoking is the single most decisive factor here; stopping or reducing during treatment measurably improves long-term success.
To discuss implant treatment for your own circumstances, please contact our clinic to arrange a consultation.