What is a dental implant and how does osseointegration work?
A dental implant is a biocompatible titanium post that is placed into the jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root. Bone cells grow onto its surface in a process called osseointegration, creating a direct, load-bearing connection between living bone and the implant.
Osseointegration was described by Brånemark and has been studied for more than 50 years (Buser et al., 2017). After placement, the implant is left to heal; commonly cited healing times are 2–4 months in the lower jaw and 3–6 months in the upper jaw, where bone is softer (Resnik, 2020). Once the implant is stable, an abutment is connected and the visible tooth, usually a zirconia crown or bridge, is fitted on top.
Who is a candidate for dental implants in Istanbul?
Most adults with one or more missing teeth and completed jaw growth can receive dental implants in Istanbul, provided that the gums are healthy and there is enough bone, or bone can be built up. Suitability is confirmed by clinical examination and a 3D CBCT scan.
Factors we assess before planning include:
- Bone volume and quality: measured on the CBCT scan; deficits can be corrected with grafting or a sinus lift (see oral surgery).
- Gum health: untreated periodontitis must be stabilised first, as it increases the risk of peri-implantitis (Berglundh et al., 2018).
- General health: well-controlled diabetes is not a contraindication; certain medications and recent radiotherapy require special planning.
- Smoking: associated with higher complication rates; cessation is advised around surgery.
Single tooth, multiple teeth or full-mouth: which option fits?
The right solution depends on how many teeth are missing, where they are, and how much bone remains. The table below summarises the main options offered at our implant clinic in Bahçelievler.
| Situation | Implant solution | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| One missing tooth | Single implant + crown | Neighbouring teeth remain untouched; the most natural feel |
| Two to four adjacent teeth | Implant-supported bridge | Two or three implants carry a bridge; fewer implants than teeth replaced |
| Toothless jaw, reduced bone at the back | All-on-4 | Four implants, angled posterior implants, often no graft; fixed teeth on the same day in suitable cases |
| Toothless jaw, adequate bone | All-on-6 | Six implants distribute load more widely; suited to strong chewing forces |
| Toothless jaw, immediate function wanted | Same-day full-arch | Immediate loading when primary stability allows; zygomatic implants in severe bone loss |
| Toothless jaw, limited budget | Implant-retained overdenture | Two to four implants stabilise a removable denture |
Full mouth dental implants in Istanbul therefore rarely mean one implant per tooth; four to six implants per jaw usually support a fixed bridge of 10–14 teeth.
The implant treatment process step by step
Implant treatment follows a predictable sequence: diagnosis and digital planning, surgery, healing, and finally the prosthesis. Loading protocols are chosen according to the evidence for each situation (Gallucci et al., 2018).
- Examination and 3D CBCT scan: periodontal assessment, bone measurement and identification of the sinuses and nerves.
- Digital planning: intraoral scan and guided implant planning position each implant for the final tooth, not just the available bone.
- Implant surgery: under local anaesthesia, typically 30–60 minutes per implant; any grafting is carried out at the same time or in a separate stage.
- Healing: a temporary tooth or denture is worn during osseointegration; immediate temporary teeth are possible in suitable full-arch cases.
- Permanent restoration: abutment connection, digital impression and fitting of the crown, bridge or full-arch prosthesis.
How long do dental implants last?
Long-term studies report that roughly 94–96% of dental implants are still in function after 10 years (Howe et al., 2019; Moraschini et al., 2015). Implant-supported fixed bridges show around 95% survival at 5 years (Pjetursson et al., 2012), and for All-on-4 in the lower jaw a 10-year cumulative implant survival of about 94.8% has been reported (Maló et al., 2011).
These figures describe the implant itself; the crown or bridge on top is subject to normal wear. The factors under the patient’s control are daily hygiene, not smoking and regular maintenance visits, so that early peri-implant mucositis is treated before bone loss occurs (Herrera et al., 2023).
Which implant system do we use and why does surface cleanliness matter?
Our standard system is IZEN Zenex, certified by the independent Clean Implant Foundation with the “Trusted Quality 2024–2026” mark. The certificate is awarded only after blinded laboratory analysis confirms that the sterile-packaged implant surface is free of manufacturing residues and particles.
Surface cleanliness matters because the implant surface is exactly where osseointegration begins; contaminants may interfere with early bone healing and peri-implant tissue health. You can read the details on our Clean Implant page. For a comparison of Swiss, German and Korean systems, see the implant brands guide.
Dental implants Istanbul cost 2026: what determines the price?
The cost of dental implants in Istanbul is set per case, because the number of implants, the system, the restoration and any additional surgery vary from patient to patient. An exact fee is therefore given only after an examination and 3D CBCT scan.
- Number and position of implants: a single tooth, a bridge on two or three implants, or four to six implants per jaw.
- Implant system: premium European brands versus certified Korean systems such as IZEN Zenex.
- Restoration material: monolithic zirconia, layered zirconia or an acrylic-titanium hybrid for full arches.
- Additional procedures: extractions, bone grafting, sinus lift or periodontal treatment before implants.
Why choose a periodontist-led implant clinic?
An implant is surrounded by soft tissue and bone, and the diseases that threaten it, peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, are inflammatory conditions of exactly those tissues (Berglundh et al., 2018). A periodontist is the specialist trained to treat gum disease, manage bone and soft-tissue grafting, and prevent and treat peri-implant disease according to the EFP guidelines (Herrera et al., 2023; Sanz et al., 2020).
At Yayla Dental Akademi, Dr. Dt. Mehmet Fuat Bozaba, specialist in periodontology, plans and performs implant surgery. In practice, gum health is restored before implants are placed (see periodontal treatment) and a structured maintenance programme follows the restoration. Our English-speaking team guides international patients through every step, and you can read patient reviews of implant treatment on our reviews page.
How to reach the clinic in Bahçelievler
Address: Yayla Dental Akademi, Ferit Selimpaşa Cad. No:44A, Bahçelievler, İstanbul 34180, Türkiye (Basın Sitesi, opposite Migros).
Hours: Monday–Saturday 10:00–21:00; Sunday closed. Online booking: DoktorTakvimi.
- Metro: 600 m from İlkyuva station on the M9 Bakırköy–Kayaşehir line.
- Bus: Basın Sitesi stops behind Yavuz Gökmen Park, a 2-minute walk.
- Metrobüs: get off at İncirli, walk to Özgürlük Meydanı and take the M9 to İlkyuva.
- Airport: Istanbul Airport is about 40 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
Frequently asked questions
How long do dental implants take from start to finish?
Implant placement itself usually takes 30 to 60 minutes per implant. The healing phase (osseointegration) is commonly cited as 2 to 4 months in the lower jaw and 3 to 6 months in the upper jaw, after which the permanent crown or bridge is fitted. Most international patients complete treatment in two visits.
Is dental implant surgery painful?
Implants are placed under local anaesthesia, so the procedure itself is not painful. Mild swelling and tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal and is managed with standard painkillers. Sedation can be discussed for anxious patients.
Can I have dental implants if I have gum disease?
Yes, but active periodontitis must be treated and stabilised first. A history of periodontitis is a recognised risk factor for peri-implantitis, so at our periodontist-led clinic gum health is assessed and restored before any implant is planned.
What if I do not have enough bone for an implant?
The 3D CBCT scan shows the exact bone volume. Options include bone grafting, sinus lift, shorter or narrower implants, or angled-implant concepts such as All-on-4 that often avoid grafting in a toothless jaw.
How much do dental implants cost in Istanbul in 2026?
The fee depends on the number of implants, the implant system, the crown material and any additional procedures such as grafting. An exact quotation is given after an examination and 3D CBCT scan. Campaign pricing with up to 10 instalments after a 20% discount is available, and a free pre-assessment from your panoramic X-ray via WhatsApp is possible.
Which implant brand does Yayla Dental Akademi use?
Our standard system is IZEN Zenex, which holds the Clean Implant Foundation Trusted Quality 2024–2026 certificate for surface cleanliness. Other systems can be discussed on request; the choice is explained in our implant brands guide.
Related guides
Sources
- Berglundh, T., Armitage, G., Araujo, M. G., et al. (2018). Peri-implant diseases and conditions: Consensus report of workgroup 4 of the 2017 World Workshop. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 45(Suppl. 20), S286–S291. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.12957
- Buser, D., Sennerby, L., & De Bruyn, H. (2017). Modern implant dentistry based on osseointegration: 50 years of progress, current trends and open questions. Periodontology 2000, 73(1), 7–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/prd.12185
- Gallucci, G. O., Hamilton, A., Zhou, W., Buser, D., & Chen, S. (2018). Implant placement and loading protocols in partially edentulous patients: A systematic review. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 29(Suppl. 16), 106–134. https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.13276
- Herrera, D., Berglundh, T., Schwarz, F., et al. (2023). Prevention and treatment of peri-implant diseases—The EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 50(Suppl. 26), 4–76. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13823
- Howe, M.-S., Keys, W., & Richards, D. (2019). Long-term (10-year) dental implant survival: A systematic review and sensitivity meta-analysis. Journal of Dentistry, 84, 9–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2019.03.008
- Maló, P., de Araújo Nobre, M., Lopes, A., Moss, S. M., & Molina, G. J. (2011). A longitudinal study of the survival of All-on-4 implants in the mandible with up to 10 years of follow-up. Journal of the American Dental Association, 142(3), 310–320. https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.2011.0170
- Moraschini, V., Poubel, L. A. da C., Ferreira, V. F., & Barboza, E. dos S. P. (2015). Evaluation of survival and success rates of dental implants reported in longitudinal studies with a follow-up period of at least 10 years: A systematic review. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 44(3), 377–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijom.2014.09.005
- Pjetursson, B. E., Thoma, D., Jung, R., Zwahlen, M., & Zembic, A. (2012). A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) after a mean observation period of at least 5 years. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 23(Suppl. 6), 22–38. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0501.2012.02546.x
- Resnik, R. R. (2020). Misch’s contemporary implant dentistry (4th ed.). Elsevier.
- Sanz, M., Herrera, D., Kebschull, M., et al. (2020). Treatment of stage I–III periodontitis—The EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 47(Suppl. 22), 4–60. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13290
This page is for information purposes only; diagnosis and treatment plans are determined only by a dentist after an examination. Survival figures are population averages from the cited studies and do not guarantee an individual outcome.