Dental Implants

Dental implants are the most stable and most modern way to replace teeth that have been lost. At our clinic, every implant restoration is planned after a thorough diagnosis and set out in a complete treatment plan, so the result stays stable, functional and natural for years to come.

Treatment is led by implantologist Christos Daras, who has specialized in implantology and oral surgery for many years. We take on straightforward cases, where a single tooth is missing, as well as more complex ones that call for restoring the whole mouth. Always with the same planning, and always keeping you fully informed.

Dental implants are one of the areas Daras Dental specializes in. We have been practising in Kato Patisia since 2000, and in Piraeus since 2023.

Through our prosthetic dentistry services, we cover every stage of implant treatment, from the diagnosis through to the finished tooth.

What Are Dental Implants

Dental implants are small titanium posts. They are placed surgically into the jawbone, where they take over the job of a natural tooth root. Titanium is biocompatible, which means the body accepts it rather than rejecting it. The prosthetic restoration is then supported on the implant. That is the part you see, and the part that works like a natural tooth.

A complete dental implant has two main parts:

1. The implant, which acts as an artificial root inside the bone.
2. The crown (cap), the visible part of the new tooth, which restores both the look and the function of the mouth.

Over time, the implant bonds with the bone. This process is called osseointegration, and it gives the artificial tooth the same stability as a natural one, if not more so. A properly placed dental implant lets you chew normally, speak clearly, and go about your day without thinking about it.

When Are Dental Implants Needed

Implants are the answer when:

• You have lost one or more teeth
• A tooth is too badly damaged to be saved
• You want a permanent solution, without filing down the teeth on either side
• All or almost all of the teeth are missing in one or both jaws
• A removable denture or a bridge is not giving you stability or comfort

The sooner you deal with a tooth you have lost, the better. At the spot where the tooth is missing, the jawbone gradually starts to lose volume (bone resorption), and that can make placing the implant harder later on.

Types of Implant Restoration

The right solution for you depends on how many teeth are missing, on the state of your bone, and on what you need. The main categories are:

• Single tooth implant: Replaces an individual tooth, leaving the teeth beside it untouched.
• Implants for multiple teeth: Fixed bridges supported on two or more implants.
• Full-mouth implants: A complete restoration of every tooth in one or both jaws, using techniques such as All-on-4 and All-on-6, where the whole arch is held securely on four or six implants respectively.
• Immediate loading implants: The implant and a temporary restoration are placed the same day, or at the very next appointment, when conditions allow it.

Are there implants without screws?

When people talk about a "screw-in tooth" in everyday conversation, they mean a tooth supported on an implant. Every modern dental implant works on the same principle: a biocompatible post is placed into the jawbone. There is no modern "screwless" alternative that has been shown to be safe.

What does change from one case to the next is the shape of the implant, the way it connects to the tooth above it, and how the whole thing is planned around your particular case.

How a Dental Implant Is Placed

Implant treatment is carried out in stages, and each one plays its own part in the final result.

1. Assessment and diagnosis. We take your medical history, examine you, and carry out a CBCT scan, a 3D scan of your jaw, to see the bone in detail.
2. Treatment planning. We put together a written plan with the costs set out in full, and we go through it with you before we go any further.
3. Bone preparation where needed. If you have lost bone, bone regeneration or a sinus lift may come first, so there is enough bone to support the implant.
4. Placing the implant. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic and usually takes 10 to 30 minutes per implant, depending on the case.
5. Osseointegration. A healing period of 2 to 6 months follows, during which the implant bonds with the bone. In some cases a temporary tooth can be fitted from day one (this is what is known as immediate loading).
6. The final restoration. We make and fit the permanent crown, bridge or denture that sits on the implant or implants.

At every stage we explain what happens next, so you know where your treatment stands and what to expect, both before and after each appointment at our practice.

The Implant Systems We Use

At our clinic we use implant systems from internationally recognized manufacturers, carrying CE and FDA certification and backed by many years of clinical use. Which system we go with depends on where in the jaw the implant sits, on the quality of the bone, and on what the final restoration has to cope with.

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost

The total price for restoring one tooth with an implant starts at €920 and covers:

• The dental implant.
• The surgical placement.
• The abutment, the component that joins the implant to the crown.
• The metal-ceramic crown, which is the finished tooth you see.

If you go for a zirconia crown, the total price rises to €1,000.

The final cost comes down to what each case needs: the number of implants, the quality and the amount of bone available, and whether additional procedures are required, such as bone regeneration or a sinus lift.

After the clinical examination and the necessary diagnostic work, we draw up a detailed written treatment plan setting out every individual cost. We also talk through the payment options with you, so we can find an arrangement that suits you.

We want you fully informed and the costs out in the open, so that you know exactly what your treatment involves before anything begins.

To tell you precisely what your own case needs, we first have to examine you and look at your scans. You can book an appointment here.

Lifespan and Safety

If the implant is placed correctly, you keep up good oral hygiene and you come in for your regular check-ups, the implant will last for decades. Dental implants have more than 30 years of clinical follow-up behind them.

As with any medical procedure, placing an implant carries risks. The most common complications are inflammation caused by infection around the site where the implant was placed, and slow healing of the wound. We keep these risks down through:

• Correct diagnosis before the procedure
• Following the instructions we give you afterwards
• Good oral hygiene at home
• Regular check-ups at the clinic

Smokers, people with uncontrolled diabetes and people with active periodontitis run a higher risk of complications. In those cases we look at each person individually, to work out whether an implant restoration is the right choice, and on what terms.

Restoration Material Options

The tooth that goes on top of the implant is the one replacing the tooth you lost. It can be made from a number of different materials, and each has its own strengths.

Zirconia with porcelain layering

Zirconia is one of the most modern and most aesthetic options for restorations on implants. It looks natural, it lets light through the way a real tooth does, it contains no metal at all, and it is a material the gums take to well.

It suits the anterior region in particular, meaning the front teeth, and any case where appearance counts for more.

Metal-ceramic

Metal-ceramic has been working reliably for many years and produces very good results.

It stays stable and stands up to chewing. It is often the more affordable choice of restoration as well.

Monolithic zirconia

Monolithic zirconia is exceptionally hard-wearing. That is why we choose it for areas that take heavy chewing forces, or for patients who grind their teeth (bruxism).

It is used mainly for posterior restorations, meaning the back teeth, and for extensive restorations covering the whole row of teeth (a full arch).

Choosing the Restoration for You

We decide on the material separately for each patient. It depends on:

• the aesthetic zone
• the functional demands
• the bite
• the patient's habits
• the overall treatment plan

Our aim is a restoration that looks natural, feels comfortable, works properly and lasts for many years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants