Dental Implants
The Permanent Solution for Tooth Loss

You can browse a list of clinics that provide dental implants here on RevaHealth.com. If you need any help deciding which clinic to choose, just ask us for help.

Dental Implants are a tremendously successful mechanism for replacing missing or badly damaged teeth. They are however costly, and also require a specialist dentist called an implantologist or prosthodontist. Particularly because of the costs involved, implants are one of the most commonly sought treatments by Dental Tourists. 

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is normally a titanium screw that is implanted into the jaw bone to replace the old root. A natural looking crown is then attached to perfectly replicate the missing tooth. Unlike bridgework, implants do not affect the surrounding teeth. Integrated into the jaw, they avoid gum problems and bone loss that can accompany a bridge or dentures.

You might need dental implants if you are missing one or several teeth. Things to watch out for are:

• Your jaw may not be suited to implants and a bone graft may be required
• The implantation procedure requires unique skills and there are dramatically different levels of training, everything from a weekend to 3 years. Check to see that your dentist has the necessary qualifications
• Implants should not be used if your bone growth is not complete
• If you are smoker or are taking immune-suppressants the success rate for implants decreases

Ask your dentist what there 5 year success rate is – it should be about 95% for the lower jaw and 90% for the upper jaw.

What is the procedure like?

Implants can be placed either at the time of removal of the old tooth or at any time afterwards: the process is quicker if they are placed immediately after removal. Typically this is performed under a local anaesthetic.

The gum and jaw are prepared, creating an opening for the titanium screw. The screw is secured in place and then the gum is stitched over allowing the area to heal. Titanium has unique properties that allow it to integrate naturally with bone.

Over a period of three to six months the titanium and bone merge to form a very strong bed on which a crown or cap can be placed. This period before a final crown is placed can be shortened dramatically if the implant is placed at the time of extraction, to the extent that sometimes a crown can be fitted at the same time as the titanium screw is attached.

What different types exist?

There are about 50 different types of implants and the particular type or brand chosen by your dentist will depend on a variety of factors, including their training, their equipment, their stock, your bone density and the width of your jaw.

There is one other major category of implant, called blade or narrow. These are typically used when the patient’s jaw will not support normal screw-type implants.

There is also an alternative use of the implanted screws that allows dentures to be secured permanently to the jaw, thus preventing any accidental movement and improving their overall function.

The newest technologies also allow for what are called implants in a day or immediate load implants. This technique is very new though, and not very widespread. It is normally recommended to leave between 3 and 6 months between having an implant fitted and placing a crown on it.

What affects the price?

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One very important factor in pricing dental implants is that an implant is simply the titanium screw that attaches to the jaw bone. In order for a tooth to be replaced this implant needs a crown. When pricing dental implants, make sure the price includes the price of the required crowns. Things to look out for are:

• The Dentist selected to perform the procedure
• The type of implant being used
• The location of the implant
• The number of implants
• The type of crown required

To find our more about pricing, read our guide to why the cost of implants vary so much.

Price Comparison

Price lists should always be viewed with caution as many factors can increase or decrease the resulting price. Here is a rough price comparison based on the average prices for implants around the world:

Dental implants offer a strong and lasting solution to damaged or missing teeth, and are often the most aesthetically pleasing option too.

Dentists in Poland
Save yourself up to 70% on cosmetic dentistry in Poland

Poland is one of Europe's fastest growing dental tourism destinations. Prices are among the lowest you will find in the EU, with Polish dentists charging between 40% and 70% less than many of their European counterparts. A porcelain crown for example, which costs roughly £500 in the UK, is available in Poland for around €100. Not surprising then, that over 3 thousand medical tourists arrived in Poland from the United Kingdom in 2007.

Our three most popular dental clinics are:

About Dentists In Poland

Some medical tourist companies offer treatment packages to Poland which include cosmetic or dental procedures plus recovery and recuperation in first-class spa resorts. Our most popular destinations in Poland are currently Krakow, Wroclaw and Poznan.

Get A Quote For Polish Dentistry

Many Polish dental clinics are ISO 9001 certified and have accreditation with the international Quality Monitoring Centre. Prior to EU membership Poland already possesed the dental infrastructure to avail of a greatly expanded patient base. The opening up of borders and the assurance of EU monitored quality levels in materials and laboratories make Poland a highly competitive destination.

The Polish Medical Chamber's dental wing oversears the profession - providing an ethical base that includes compulsory adherence to the principles of continuing education. To continue being licenced to practice, Dentists in Poland must gain a mimimun number of training points - amounting to about 200 hours of further education every four years. In general, the healthcare service is considered on a par with the rest of Europe.

Polish Dental Treatment Prices

The following price guide indicates the estimated cost of Dentistry in Poland. Please note that this is a guide only and you should always check with your dentist directly.

*Exchange rates from 08/2007

Qualifications And Training For Dentists in Poland

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Poland follows the standard EU 5 year dental training programme. There are 10 dental schools with over 900 graduates each year. The standard of graduatees is high and many find employement in British and Irish clinics.

All dentists must re-register with the Polish Chamber of Physicians and Dentists every 4 years. During this period they must participate in mandatory continuing education to ensure their dental techniques are kept to the highest standards. The system is monitored and dentists must acrue 200 credit points from authorized training courses in each 4 year period of practice.

Dentists in Poland - Additional Information

Organizations

All Polish dentists are registered with the Polish Chamber of Physicians and Dentists. The chamber governs both dentisty and the larger medical field. Its duties include providing information for dentists and patients, supervison of clinical conduct and drafting of ethical standards. 23 regional divisions of the chamber apply its principles at local level.

The Polish Dental Association is the professional representative body for dentists in Poland. it is a full member of the European Dental Association. The Association promotes high standards in dentistry to its members. The association organizes continuing education courses. Membership is voluntary.

Dental Ethics

All Polish dentists must try to uphold their ethical code (agreed upon in 1993). There is additionally a European code of ethics that is supported by Polish dental organizations.

Both codes outline the duty to care of a dentist: That the patient's health should be foremost; that costs should be made clear as soon as a treatment course is outlined; that no unneccesary work should be carried out; that the dentist must respond to complaints and attempt to resolve the situation. A dentist who fails to comply to these ethical guidelines is subject to censure, suppension or removal of their licence to practice. Details of both codes are provided in the resources section below.

Complaints

Patients may address complaints to the Polish Chamber of Physicians and Dentists. The make up of the complaints committees depends on the nature of the complaint and a dental complaint may be judged by a panel of dentists or by a group of independant advisors. The Chamber has a number of options open to it, including removing a dentist's right to practice.

Complaints may also be handled through the normal law courts.

Data Protection

Polish dentists must respect patient confidentiality. Data must be stored in paper form but may be backed up by electronic means.

Resources

Polish Chamber of Physicians and Dentists
00-764 Warszawa, ul. Sobieskiego 110
tel: +22 559 1300
email: sekretariat@hipokrates.org
website: http://www.nil.org.pl
code of ethics: medical code

Polish Dental Association
ul. Kuźnicza 43/45
50-138 Wrocław
tel: +48 71 342 42 16
email: paradont@stom.am.wroc.pl
website: http://www.pts.net.pl/