Dental implants Vienna: The highest quality replacement for your own teeth
Dr. Dr. Felix Wick is a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery and a specialist in dental implants and aesthetic implantology. At our practice in 1060 Vienna, we place particular emphasis on gentle and careful procedures. Our patients also appreciate the efficient cooperation between orthodontics and oral surgery under one roof and the resulting time-saving procedures. Make your appointment online now!
Appointment
Procedure: This is how the insertion of a dental implant works
Anesthesia: The area is locally anesthetized so that the procedure can be performed painlessly. Alternatively, treatment under anesthesia can be offered. As a kind of intermediate option, we are happy to offer relaxation drops for a stress-free procedure.
Abutment of the prosthesis: At the end of the healing phase, the implant should be firmly integrated into the bone. Usually, further abutments such as a crown or bridge can then be screwed directly to the implant. Implant-supported prostheses can then also be inserted. Finally, the function and aesthetics of the teeth to be replaced should be restored.
What is a dental implant anyway?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium that connect to the bone. There are different areas of application: From the treatment of individual tooth gaps to the treatment of several teeth next to each other to the replacement of all teeth in the upper or lower jaw (see All-on-4 and All-on-6).
What types of dentures are possible with implants?
Dental implants can be used to create a wide variety of tooth replacements. Depending on the initial situation, the following methods offer durable, aesthetic and functional solutions for different needs.
Good to know: With today's dental implantology options, reliable long-term results can be achieved. In fact, the placement of the implant is now often gentler than the extraction of the affected tooth itself.
Single tooth implants
Our recommendation here is to use single tooth implants. Provided there is nothing to prevent it, it is a safe treatment method that protects the neighboring teeth.
Multiple tooth implants
If at least two adjacent teeth are missing, particularly thorough planning must be carried out in advance. If a fixed denture is desired, dental implants are the only sensible option in the long term.
First, 3D planning is carried out and then the options are discussed with the patient. Special consideration must be given to anatomical constrictions such as nerves or the maxillary sinus.
In the case of particularly challenging anatomical conditions or if the procedure has to be absolutely minimally invasive (e.g. when taking medication to thin the blood), it is possible to place the implant using a 3D-planned drilling template. You can find out more about this under 3D-navigated implant placement.
Replacing all teeth
If all teeth are to be replaced, we have the choice between implant-supported bridges or existing dentures that are supported on implants.
For implant-supported bridges, so-called All-on-4 and All-on-6 concepts have become established internationally. Here, 4 or 6 implants are inserted into the upper or lower jaw in a special treatment concept to enable a fixed bridge to be placed on top.
Nice to know:
Good oral hygiene is even more important with dental implants than with your own teeth. They are foreign surfaces made of titanium. Once the area around them becomes inflamed, it is much more difficult to remove this inflammation than with natural teeth. You can find more information on this under peri-implantitis.
If we carry out implant treatment for a referring colleague, the final prosthetic restoration, i.e. the crown, bridge or implant-supported prosthesis, is completed in the referring dentist's practice. If necessary, we will fabricate a temporary restoration for you.
The entire process requires several appointments in our Vienna practice and is individually tailored to the patient.
Immediate implants
The insertion of an immediate implant is a dental procedure in which a dental implant is inserted immediately after the extraction of a tooth. This differs from the traditional method of waiting for a healing phase after tooth extraction before inserting the implant.
Unfortunately, immediate implants are not suitable for every patient. Individual circumstances such as the state of health, the quality and quantity of bone in the jaw and the condition of the tooth to be extracted are decisive.
The presence of acute inflammation in particular is an exclusion criterion for the immediate placement of an implant when the tooth is extracted. In this case, we allow the site to heal for two months and then carry out a new check-up.
The advantages of immediate implants at a glance:
- Time saving: The procedure enables faster treatment, as the implantation process takes place immediately after tooth removal.
- Esthetics: Immediate implants can provide an immediate esthetic solution, especially if the affected tooth is in the visible area.
- Jaw bone preservation: Immediate implant placement can help minimize the bone loss that typically occurs after tooth extraction.
- Fewer surgical interventions: As the implant is placed immediately, the number of surgical procedures required is reduced.
Which implant is used in our practice?
Different implant manufacturers are offered in our practice. This has several advantages: The respective implants also have a different design, so we can choose the best solution for each individual situation. For example, implants with a stronger thread are more suitable for immediate implants. We prefer to use parallel-walled implants in cases where bone preservation or bone augmentation is an issue. This also gives us the option of different pricing, which we are happy to pass on to our patients.
A sometimes popular practice on the part of patients to find particularly cheap solutions is to drive or fly to dentists in the East. There are certainly colleagues here who also do excellent work. However, our experience shows that the number of implants that are incorrectly restored or have to be removed is significantly higher than those placed in Austria. Implant manufacturers are also frequently used for which spare parts are difficult or impossible to obtain in Austria. This means that it is often not possible to repair or rework the implant crowns later on.
We recommend - regardless of whether in Austria or abroad - that you obtain serious advice, including disclosure of all costs, before starting treatment. If in doubt, also enquire about the implant manufacturer used.
Titanium or ceramic - which material for your dental implant?
Most dental implants are made of titanium. As the demand for metal-free alternatives has increased in recent years, we are happy to recommend ceramic implants as a high-quality alternative.
Our recommendation is titanium implants. These have proven their worth over decades and are usually cheaper in comparison. If ceramic implants are desired, we are happy to offer them.
The advantages of ceramic implants at a glance:
- Metal-free - they offer a 100% metal-free solution
- Natural aesthetics - the white color of ceramic implants is considered particularly natural and tissue-neutral
- Healthy gums - the surface of ceramic implants is designed to minimize plaque adhesion and therefore promotes particularly healthy gums
- Long-term satisfaction - modern ceramic implants, like titanium implants, are designed to provide a long-term stable solution
Special case: esthetic implantology
If a tooth has been lost in a clearly visible area, it takes a lot of experience and good planning to place these implants. This usually concerns the front upper teeth such as the incisors or canines, which have to be replaced by an implant due to accidents or lengthy root canal treatment.
What is aesthetic implantology?
Placing a dental implant in the bone is not a great art. The art lies in carefully choosing the positioning of the implants in the highly visible front teeth. The surrounding bone and the adjacent soft tissue must be designed in such a way that the implant is surrounded by healthy tissue in the long term.
Planning esthetic implantology
The planning of these cases is very individual and takes many factors into account, in particular the anatomical conditions and the patient's requirements.
In some cases, this results in the need for additional bone or soft tissue augmentation. Of course, we always try to avoid such measures or keep them as minimal as possible. If measures are necessary in the long term, we should not forego them for reasons of comfort. All aspects such as patient wishes, preferred treatment duration, treatment guidelines and budget are weighed up and a treatment plan is then determined together.
If the patient wishes, we are also happy to work with temporary crowns. These can be reshaped over time to shape the soft tissue particularly well. If the patient is satisfied with the shape of the temporary implant crown, the shape of the temporary crown can be used identically for the fabrication of the final ceramic crown.
How are dental implants cared for?
Careful care of dental implants is crucial for their longevity and function as well as the prevention of peri-implantitis (= inflammation around the implant).
This includes brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush to remove plaque and bacteria. The use of interdental brushes is important to clean the areas between the implant and the neighboring teeth. In addition, you can use antimicrobial mouthwashes to reduce the bacterial load in the mouth. Dental floss is also essential to prevent plaque build-up around the implant.
Tip: We practise proper cleaning with you at the crown, bridge and denture handover appointment. Here we look at which brushes or which dental floss is best to use in the respective area.
Regular professional cleanings and check-ups at the dentist are necessary to monitor the health of the implants. For dental implants, we recommend oral hygiene at least twice a year and check-ups with x-rays once a year.
If possible, avoid harmful habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption and make sure you eat a balanced diet to promote general oral health.
Frequently asked questions about dental implants
An initial consultation in our practice is free of charge. In most cases, only the preparation of X-ray images is subject to a charge. However, these can usually be submitted to the health insurance company and should be partially reimbursed. If you have a current panoramic X-ray or other documents, please take them with you. More on the topic: Costs of dental implants.
Ideally, implants last a lifetime. As with natural teeth, implants may occasionally have to be removed prematurely. If an inflammation is the cause of impending implant failure, this can be brought to a standstill as part of peri-implantitis treatment to allow the implant to remain in the mouth. We recommend regular check-ups and professional oral hygiene. It is important to recognize the signs of inflammation at an early stage in order to be able to combat them successfully.
No, most patients find the placement of an implant painless. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia, i.e. without anesthesia. You only feel the injection and relatively little pain during the procedure. Experience in our practice shows that often only a single painkiller is taken after the implant operation.
No, you will never have a gap between your teeth in the visible area. At the end of each treatment, you will be fitted with a temporary restoration.
The placement of a dental implant varies in time, depending on various factors. The actual procedure to place the implant usually takes between 10 minutes and 2 hours in very complex cases. This depends on the number of implants to be placed and the complexity of the case. The procedure is followed by a healing phase during which the implant grows into the jawbone, which can take several months. During this time, a temporary denture is usually worn. After complete healing, the permanent denture is placed on the implant. Overall, the entire process from implantation to the final restoration with dentures can take between 2 months and a year.
It usually takes 2 - 9 months for the implant to heal, after which we fabricate the final restoration.
Mini implants – also known as Senior Implants – are a type of dental implant that are thinner than conventional implants. They are used in dentistry to support removable dentures - prostheses.
Generally speaking, the advantages of implants clearly outweigh the disadvantages. Dental implants require a surgical procedure, are more expensive than some alternatives and are associated with a longer healing time. There is a risk of complications such as infection, nerve damage and implant failure. They require good oral hygiene and may not be suitable for people with insufficient bone or certain health conditions.
Today, only a few groups of people are completely unsuitable for dental implants. These include children and adolescents whose jawbones are not yet fully grown, as well as people with insufficient bone quality or quantity, as there is no stable foundation for the implant. Serious systemic diseases such as poorly controlled diabetes or cardiovascular diseases that impair the ability to heal can also be an obstacle. Patients with advanced or untreated periodontitis are affected due to the increased risk of implant failure. In addition, heavy tobacco consumption can have a negative impact on the healing process and the long-term prognosis of implants. Each case should be discussed individually with a dentist or oral surgeon to assess suitability for dental implants.
In principle, yes. However, depending on the level of smoking, there is an increased risk of inflammation. The long-term survival of dental implants in the mouth may also be reduced. Ideally, you should reduce your smoking before and after the procedure, according to the motto: less is more.
Implants can work for diabetics, but require careful planning and monitoring. Well-controlled diabetes reduces the risk of complications. Close collaboration between dentist and patient is crucial to monitor healing and ensure long-term success.
No, as is generally the case with dental treatment under local anesthesia, we strongly advise against driving on the road immediately after treatment. The Zieglergasse subway station and a cab rank are located directly in front of our practice. For patients with a further journey home, we recommend organizing someone for the return journey.
In principle, the next day for physically non-strenuous work. Some patients also go straight back to work immediately after implantation. However, this varies greatly from case to case.
We recommend waiting until the immediate postoperative phase. In most cases, everything is possible again after suture removal. Sutures are removed between 7 and 10 days after the operation.