Is an implant needed for every missing tooth?

No. While a single implant is usually planned for a single missing tooth, in the case of several adjacent missing teeth a bridge can be prepared on a smaller number of implants. The number required is determined according to the bone structure, the length of the gap, force distribution and the design of the prosthesis.

Can an implant be placed on the day the tooth is extracted?

It can be done in suitable patients. The condition of the bone walls at the extraction site, the controllability of infection, the soft-tissue structure and whether the implant can achieve adequate initial stability must be evaluated. Placing an implant on the same day as the extraction does not mean that a permanent tooth will be fitted on the same day.

Can an implant be used with a tooth fitted on the same day?

In selected cases, a temporary tooth can be attached onto the implant on the same day. However, the chewing loads on the temporary tooth are most often arranged in a controlled manner. The biological integration of the implant with the bone continues during this time.

Do dental implants decay?

The implant body and the ceramic crown do not decay like a natural tooth. On the other hand, gum inflammation due to plaque accumulation around the implant, peri-implantitis and bone loss can develop. In addition, the prosthesis on it may wear, fracture or require maintenance over time.

Can implants be placed in people who smoke?

Implants can be applied to some smokers; however, smoking increases the risk of early implant loss and peri-implantitis. The risk must be evaluated together with the amount of use and other health factors.

Can diabetic patients have implants?

Implant treatment can be applied in some diabetic patients whose blood sugar control is adequate. Uncontrolled diabetes, on the other hand, can create an additional risk in terms of healing and the health of the tissues around the implant. The current medical condition and laboratory values must be evaluated together with the relevant physicians.

Is there an upper age limit for implants?

Advanced age is not on its own an obstacle. General health, bone and soft-tissue conditions, the ability to maintain oral care and suitability for surgery are more important.

Is teeth clenching an obstacle to implant treatment?

Not always. However, in patients with bruxism, the forces to which the implant and the implant-supported prosthesis are exposed can increase. The prosthesis design, occlusal adjustment and, if deemed necessary, the use of a protective guard must be planned individually.

Is a bone graft always necessary if there is little bone?

Not always. The position of the implant, the shape of the existing bone, the implant sizes that can be used and the prosthesis to be made are all evaluated together. While a graft is necessary in some patients, in others different implant positions or prosthesis options can be considered.

If an implant fails, can it be redone?

In some cases, after the implant is removed and the cause of the failure is evaluated, the area can be prepared again. The timing of the new implant is determined according to infection, bone loss, the soft tissue and the cause of the previous failure. It is not appropriate to immediately place a new implant in every failed implant site.

When can one return to work or travel after an implant?

The exact duration varies according to the extent of the procedure. The healing process of a patient who has had a single implant is not the same as that of a patient who has had a bone graft or full-arch surgery. Swelling, the medications used, physical working conditions and the characteristics of the planned travel must all be evaluated together. For this reason, a fixed duration must not be given for all patients.

Dental Implant Treatment İstanbul

Multidisciplinary editor: Prof. Dr. Mehmet Oğuz Öztoprak – Specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics
Clinical scientific review: The relevant physician responsible for implant surgery and implant-supported prosthesis planning
Last updated: 22 July 2026

Tooth loss is not merely a gap in the smile. The area where the missing tooth is located can, over time, affect the chewing pattern, speech, the position of neighbouring teeth, the teeth in the opposing jaw and the way the jawbone is loaded. Dental implant treatment is based, in suitable patients, on placing an implant that forms support within the jawbone in the missing-tooth area, and preparing a fixed or removable dental prosthesis on top of this support.

A dental implant is not an exact replica of a natural tooth and should not automatically be considered as a replacement for every tooth that could be treated. First of all, the retainability of the existing tooth, its periodontal condition, root and bone support, the alternative treatments that could be applied and the long-term prognosis must be evaluated together. Implant treatment is essentially a treatment option planned to replace teeth that have been lost or that cannot predictably be preserved.

At Dentapolitan's Istanbul Bostancı, Ümraniye and Pendik branches, assessments regarding implant treatment are carried out taking into account the patient's general health, oral and gum health, bone structure, the number of missing teeth, occlusal relationships and the planned prosthesis.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a medical structure placed into the jawbone in the missing-tooth area that provides support for the prosthesis to be made. Today, the majority of implant bodies are produced from titanium or titanium alloys because of their biocompatibility and long-term clinical use.

An implant treatment most often consists of three basic parts:

Implant body: The part placed inside the jawbone.
Abutment: Provides the connection between the implant and the prosthesis visible in the mouth.
Implant-supported restoration: This may be a single-tooth crown, a bridge, a removable prosthesis or a full-arch fixed prosthesis.

Treatment does not consist only of placing the implant screw into the bone. The three-dimensional position of the implant, the condition of the surrounding bone and gum tissues, the shape and cleansability of the tooth to be prepared on it and the forces it will encounter during occlusion directly affect long-term health. For this reason, the position of the implant must be planned not only according to “where the bone is”, but by taking into account the ideal position of the final tooth to be made.

In which situations is implant treatment considered?

Dental implants can be used in different patterns of tooth loss:

In areas where a single tooth has been lost, an implant-supported crown can be made.
In the case of several adjacent missing teeth, an implant-supported bridge can be planned without requiring a separate implant for each missing tooth.
In patients who have lost all their teeth, fixed full-arch prostheses can be prepared.
The retention of a removable prosthesis can be increased with implant support.
In selected cases requiring tooth extraction, the implant can be placed in the same session as the extraction.

An implant does not necessarily have to be made for every missing tooth. The number of implants required is determined according to the length of the missing area, the bone structure, the teeth in the opposing jaw, the patient's chewing forces, the design of the prosthesis and its cleansability.

Implants can contribute to the functional loading of the jawbone; however, it is not correct to say that “bone loss stops completely once an implant is placed”. Biological remodelling also occurs around the implant throughout life. Gum disease, inadequate care, smoking, uncontrolled systemic diseases and some biomechanical problems can lead to bone loss around the implant.

How is suitability for a dental implant determined?

Suitability for implant treatment is not determined solely by whether sufficient bone is seen on a panoramic X-ray. General health, medications used, gum health, oral hygiene, jaw development, occlusion pattern, smoking and long-term care habits are all evaluated together.

Completion of jaw development

After implants integrate with the bone, they do not move in adaptation to jaw development like natural teeth do. For this reason, permanent implant planning must be handled carefully in children and adolescents whose growth and development is still continuing, especially in aesthetic anterior areas. The decision is made not only according to chronological age, but according to whether skeletal development has been completed.

Advanced age, on the other hand, is not on its own an obstacle to implant treatment. The patient's general health, ability to maintain daily oral care, and bone and soft-tissue conditions may be more decisive than age. The ITI consensus report also states that advanced age is not on its own a contraindication.

Gum health and infection control

Active periodontal disease or untreated oral infections must first be brought under control. Implants can also be placed in patients who have previously had gum diseases; however, it should be known that the risk of peri-implantitis and implant loss may be higher in these patients, and more regular supportive care should be planned after treatment. Current systematic reviews show that the risk of implant loss, marginal bone loss and peri-implantitis is increased in patients with a history of periodontitis.

Diabetes and other systemic diseases

Diabetes does not on its own prevent implant treatment in every patient. However, inadequate glycaemic control can adversely affect healing and the health of the tissues around the implant. The patient's current medical condition, blood sugar control, the medications they use and the relevant physician's assessment must be included in the treatment plan.

When blood thinners, treatments affecting bone metabolism, immune system diseases, a history of radiotherapy or serious systemic disorders are present, the surgical plan is arranged individually. Medications must not be stopped by the patient on their own.

Smoking

Implant treatment is not always impossible in patients who smoke; however, the risk of early implant loss and peri-implantitis may increase. A large systematic review published in 2024 reported that smoking is significantly associated with early implant failure. For this reason, quitting smoking or at least reducing its use during the treatment process is important not only for wound healing but also for the long-term health of the implant.

Clenching, grinding and occlusal relationships

Bruxism is not a condition that automatically prevents implant treatment. However, repetitive high forces on implant-supported crowns and bridges can increase the risk of screw loosening, porcelain fracture, prosthesis wear and, in some patients, implant loss. For this reason, a history of clenching or grinding, muscle tenderness, existing wear, jaw movements and occlusal relationships must be evaluated before treatment. In patients who require it, the design of the prosthesis, the occlusal scheme and the option of a protective night guard can also be addressed.

In a patient with a jaw joint complaint, it should not be assumed that implant treatment will directly treat the joint disorder. The implant plan must be prepared in a way that is compatible with the existing jaw joint and masticatory system findings.

Pre-implant examination and planning

In a successful implant treatment, surgical and prosthetic planning cannot be considered separately from each other. In the initial assessment, why the patient lost the tooth, when the loss occurred and whether there was previously any infection, trauma or surgical procedure in the relevant area are established.

The following topics are examined in the clinical examination:

The condition of the existing teeth and fillings
Gum health and periodontal pockets
The bone and soft-tissue volume in the missing-tooth area
Mouth opening and the distance between the jaws
The smile line and gum appearance
The position of the neighbouring teeth
The teeth in the opposing jaw
Chewing and occlusal relationships
Signs of bruxism or parafunction
The patient's oral care habits

Panoramic and intraoral radiographs assist the initial assessment. When bone width, anatomical structures, or the relationship with the nerve canal or sinus need to be examined in detail, three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography can be used. Digital intraoral scans, photographs and impressions, on the other hand, help to design the position of the final prosthesis before surgery.

How is dental implant treatment performed?

Although the details of the treatment vary according to the case, the process generally proceeds in five stages.

1. Preparation of the oral environment

Active infections, periodontal diseases and teeth requiring treatment are evaluated. If necessary, gum treatment, tooth extraction, a temporary prosthesis or bone-preserving procedures are carried out. Before proceeding to surgery, the position and shape of the final tooth to be made are planned.

2. Placement of the implant

The procedure is mostly carried out under local anaesthesia. The implant is placed into the jawbone in accordance with the three-dimensional planning. The surgical approach may be open surgery, a limited incision or, in selected patients, guided surgery, depending on the condition of the bone and soft tissue.

A “stitchless implant” is not a superior or safer method for every patient. An incisionless or flapless approach can only be preferred in cases where the bone volume and anatomical boundaries are sufficiently known and the implant can be placed in the correct position.

3. Healing and osseointegration

After the implant is placed, the bone tissue remodels around the implant surface. This biological process is called osseointegration. In some cases the implant is left beneath the gum, while in others a healing cap can be placed on top of it.

There is no single healing period that can be applied to everyone. Bone quality, the initial stability of the implant, the jaw in which it is placed, a simultaneous bone graft, smoking and general health all affect the duration.

4. Temporary or permanent loading

It is possible to place a temporary tooth on the implant on the same day, to load it a few weeks later, or to wait for a longer healing period. The timing of loading is decided by evaluating the initial stability of the implant, the bone structure, the type of prosthesis and the occlusal forces. It is not correct to load every implant on the same day.

5. Preparation of the implant-supported prosthesis

After healing is complete, a digital or conventional impression is taken. Depending on the patient's needs, a single crown, an implant-supported bridge, a removable prosthesis or a full-arch fixed prosthesis can be prepared.

At the prosthesis stage, not only the colour and appearance of the tooth but also its cleansability, its relationship with the gum, its effect on speech, the distribution of chewing forces and its contact with the teeth in the opposing jaw are evaluated.

Are “same-day implant” and “same-day tooth” the same thing?

The expression “same-day implant” can be used in everyday language to describe two different procedures:

Placing an implant on the same day as the tooth extraction is the application of an implant into the socket of the extracted tooth in the same session.

Same-day loading of the implant, on the other hand, is the attachment of a temporary tooth onto the placed implant on the same day or within a very short time.

In a patient, an implant can be placed on the same day as the extraction; however, attaching a tooth on top of it on the same day may not be appropriate. Similarly, when the implant is placed in a previously healed area and adequate stability is achieved, a temporary prosthesis can be prepared on the same day.

Especially in the aesthetic anterior region, in selected cases where suitable bone and soft-tissue conditions are present and adequate initial stability is achieved, these protocols can give predictable results. Nevertheless, the possibility of surgical, biological and prosthetic complications does not disappear completely. The tooth attached on the same day is most often not the final permanent tooth, but a temporary restoration used during the healing period.

Can an implant be placed when there is insufficient bone?

After tooth loss, a loss of width and height may occur in the jawbone in the relevant area. If the bone volume is not sufficient to place the implant in the correct prosthetic position, different supportive procedures can be considered:

Preservation of the extraction socket
Horizontal or vertical bone augmentation
Particulate bone grafts
Block graft applications
Sinus floor elevation in the posterior upper region
Soft-tissue thickening procedures

The same method is not used for every bone deficiency. The type of procedure required is determined according to the shape of the deficiency and the position of the prosthesis to be made. Applying bone augmentation can prolong the treatment time and may require a separate healing period.

Mini or narrow-diameter implants can also be used in certain indications; however, the approach of “if there is little bone, a mini implant must always be made” is not correct. The load that narrow-diameter implants will bear, the area in which they will be placed and the type of prosthesis to be made must be evaluated separately.

Single-tooth, multiple-tooth and full-arch implant applications

In single-tooth loss, an implant-supported crown can enable the missing area to be completed without requiring the neighbouring teeth to be cut. However, if there are already extensive restorations on the neighbouring teeth or if the anatomical conditions are not suitable for an implant, a conventional bridge may also be an alternative that should be considered.

In the case of several missing teeth, implant-supported bridges can be prepared. The number and distribution of implants are planned not only according to the length of the gap, but according to force distribution and the cleansability of the prosthesis.

In patients who have lost all their teeth, there are fixed and removable prosthesis options supported by All-on-4, All-on-6 or a different number of implants. These are not an implant brand or a separate type of implant, but treatment approaches used in specific clinical conditions. It cannot be said that four implants are superior to six implants, or six to four, in every situation. Bone distribution, the length of the prosthesis, the opposing jaw, bruxism, aesthetic expectations and care possibilities must be evaluated together.

Is implant treatment painful?

Implant surgery is mostly performed under local anaesthesia. During the procedure, the aim is to ensure pain control; the patient may feel pressure, vibration or touch. After surgery, tenderness, swelling, mild bleeding or bruising may be seen. These findings vary according to the extent of the procedure, whether a graft was applied and the individual healing response.

In selected patients who have a high level of surgical anxiety or for whom a more extensive procedure is planned, sedation options can be addressed when suitable clinical conditions and the necessary medical evaluation are provided.

Pain that increases progressively in the days after surgery, uncontrolled bleeding, fever, a bad taste or discharge, prolonged numbness or a sensation of movement in the implant must not be accepted as normal healing findings and must be evaluated by the physician who performed the treatment.

How long does implant treatment take?

It is not correct to give a single one-size-fits-all duration for implant treatment. The main factors affecting the duration are as follows:

Whether the tooth extraction will be done in the same session
The initial stability of the implant
The amount and quality of the jawbone
The need for a bone graft or sinus procedure
Whether single-tooth or full-arch treatment is carried out
The need for a temporary prosthesis
The patient's healing capacity
Smoking and systemic health
The design of the final prosthesis

In some suitable cases, a temporary tooth can be prepared on the same day. However, this does not mean that bone healing is completed on the same day or that the permanent treatment is finished. In more extensive cases requiring bone augmentation, the surgical and prosthetic stages may require a plan spread over several months.

What are the possible risks of implant treatment?

A dental implant is a treatment that has surgical and prosthetic stages. Correct planning reduces the risks; however, it cannot be said that the possibility of complications is zero for any surgical procedure.

Possible problems may include the following:

Insufficient integration of the implant with the bone in the early period
Infection of the surgical site
Bleeding and wound-healing problems
Damage to a neighbouring tooth or anatomical structures
Temporary or, rarely, permanent sensory change due to involvement of the nerve tissue in the lower jaw
Sinus-related complications in the upper jaw
Gum recession or aesthetic mismatch
Peri-implant mucositis
Peri-implantitis and marginal bone loss
Screw loosening
Porcelain or restoration fracture
Difficulty cleaning beneath the prosthesis
Loss of contact between teeth or food impaction

Explaining implant loss in the classical sense as “the body rejecting the implant” is not correct for most cases. Early or late implant losses are generally associated with more than one factor, such as failure of osseointegration, infection, periodontal risks, smoking, systemic conditions, and surgical and prosthetic factors. Long-term studies also show that implant losses cannot be reduced to a single cause.

What is the lifespan of a dental implant?

It is not scientifically correct to express the lifespan of an implant with a precise number of years for all patients or to say that it is “guaranteed for life”.

Long-term studies have reported that the majority of implants remain in the mouth for 10 years and longer. Nevertheless, the presence of the implant in the mouth does not mean that the surrounding tissues are completely healthy or that the prosthesis on it is problem-free. For this reason, in scientific publications implant survival is distinguished from implant success.

While the implant body remains healthy within the bone, the crown, bridge, screw or removable prosthesis part on it may require maintenance, repair or replacement over time. Among the factors affecting the long-term condition of the implant are the following:

Oral hygiene
History of periodontitis
Smoking
Diabetes control
The three-dimensional position of the implant
The cleansability of the prosthesis
Chewing forces and bruxism
Regular professional care
The patient's attendance at follow-up appointments

A recent meta-analysis evaluating twenty years of data emphasises that implants can function for a long time; however, that survival decreases over time and that follow-up should be continued beyond 10 years as well.

What should implant aftercare be like?

Implants do not decay; but the gum and bone tissues around them can become diseased. Inflammation around the implant that affects only the soft tissue is called peri-implant mucositis, while the more advanced picture accompanied by bone loss is called peri-implantitis. Detailed information about the stages of implant treatment and the recovery process is provided in our relevant blog content.

The S3-level clinical guideline of the European Federation of Periodontology states that the prevention of peri-implant diseases must begin not after the implant is placed, but at the stage when treatment is planned. After the implant enters function as well, a supportive care programme arranged according to individual risks must be continued.

In home care, in addition to a normal toothbrush, an interdental brush suitable for the design of the implant and prosthesis, special floss or other auxiliary cleaning tools are generally used. Which product is suitable must be demonstrated according to the patient's prosthesis.

At long-term check-ups, taking an X-ray alone is not sufficient. Gum bleeding, pocket depth, plaque accumulation, the cleansability of the prosthesis, the screws and connections, occlusal contacts and the marginal bone level are all evaluated together.

Why do dental implant prices in Istanbul vary?

The cost of implant treatment does not depend solely on the number of implants used or the implant brand. A single price given without an examination and without a prosthesis plan being created may not reflect the true scope of the treatment.

The main elements that can affect the price are as follows:

The number of missing teeth and the number of implants to be applied
Whether a single-tooth, bridge or full-arch prosthesis is planned
The need for tooth extraction
Bone graft or sinus floor elevation procedures
The need for a temporary prosthesis
The type of abutment and implant-supported restoration to be used
The need for digital planning or a surgical guide
Additional medical applications such as sedation
The scope of the surgical and prosthetic treatment
The long-term check-up and care plan

When evaluating the implant brand, the decision should not be made solely on the basis of the commercial name. The scientific documentation of the system, its use in the appropriate indication, access to spare prosthetic parts, the recording of implant information and correct treatment planning are all important together.

In healthcare services, instead of expressions such as “cheapest”, “best”, “guaranteed” or “definite result”, the scope of the procedures to be applied to the patient must be explained in a clear and comparable manner. Current health advertising legislation also prohibits expressions that create a perception of superiority, that are misleading or that present scientific data differently from how they actually are.

Why is regular follow-up important in implant treatment in Istanbul?

Because implant treatment does not consist only of the day of surgery, accessibility to the clinic and continuity of treatment are important. The surgical check-up, evaluation of the sutures, monitoring of healing, impression and try-in stages, delivery of the prosthesis and long-term care can be carried out at different times.

Patients researching implant treatment in Istanbul should consider a plan in which they can maintain not only the first procedure but also the subsequent check-ups. Dentapolitan provides oral and dental health services in Istanbul with its Bostancı, Ümraniye and Pendik branches.

Personalised planning and long-term follow-up in implant treatment

The aim of dental implant treatment is not only to fill the gap of the missing tooth. The implant must be placed in the correct three-dimensional position, surrounded by healthy bone and gum tissues, a cleansable prosthesis must be prepared on it and the chewing forces must be transferred in a balanced manner.

Long-term success depends, in addition to the surgical procedure, on periodontal health, the design of the implant-supported prosthesis, occlusal relationships, the management of parafunctions such as bruxism, daily oral care and regular check-ups. The treatment decision must be made after clinical and radiological examination, evaluating the patient's individual risks and alternative treatment options together.

This content has been prepared for the purpose of general health information. It does not replace an examination, diagnosis or a personalised treatment plan.

References

Herrera D et al. Prevention and treatment of peri-implant diseases—The EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 2023.
Morton D et al. Group 5 ITI Consensus Report: Implant placement and loading protocols. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2023.
How far can we go? A 20-year meta-analysis of dental implant survival rates. Clinical Oral Investigations, 2024.
Fan YY et al. Smoking in relation to early dental implant failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Dentistry, 2024.
Häggman-Henrikson B et al. Bruxism and dental implants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2024.
History of periodontitis as a risk factor for implant failure and incidence of peri-implantitis. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research, 2024.
Prevalence, incidence, systemic, behavioral, and patient-related risk factors and indicators for peri-implant diseases: An AO/AAP systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025.