Dental Implants in Riga That Protect Adjacent Teeth

Frequently asked questions

• What does losing a tooth really mean, and why should it be replaced with an implant? +

  Many people assume that a missing tooth is purely an aesthetic problem — in reality it is a medical one. When there is no root left in the place of the tooth, the jawbone gradually starts to lose volume, because it no longer receives the load it needs. The neighbouring teeth drift into the empty space, and the tooth in the opposing jaw begins to “grow” outwards. Over time this leads to an incorrect bite and to problems with the jaw joints. An implant is the only solution that replaces both the tooth and its root — and in doing so prevents these consequences.

• What do I need to know and how should I act after implantation? +

  1. Immediately after surgery

  • Gauze pack: keep it bitten down on the wound for 30–40 minutes. • Cold: for the first two days apply cold compresses (for example, a cold pack wrapped in a towel – never place it directly on the skin!) for 5–10 minutes every 2–3 hours. • Bleeding: if the wound starts to bleed again: • Bite firmly on a gauze pack for 30 minutes. • Hold ice over the operated area for 10 minutes. • Limit physical activity. • Check that your blood pressure is not raised.

  2. Hygiene and rinsing

  • Rinsing: start 6 hours after surgery. • Every 2–3 hours – with salt water. • Twice a day – with an antibacterial solution (Corsodyl, Octinidol or Eludril). • Continue rinsing for 7 days. • Hygiene: pay particular attention to thorough oral hygiene, staying gentle around the operated area. • Suture removal: usually after 1 week.

  3. Diet and lifestyle

  • Eating: do not eat or drink for 2 hours after surgery. • Dietary restrictions: nothing hot or hard for 2 days; chew on the opposite side for 1 week. • Harmful habits: no alcohol for 2 weeks. • Activities: avoid saunas, draughts and air conditioning for 2 weeks.

  Normal post-operative reactions (nothing to worry about!)

  • Swelling: may last 7–10 days. • Temperature: may rise to 38°C. • Difficulties: opening the mouth or swallowing may be difficult for about 1 week. • Bruising/redness: a haematoma on the skin or a reddened corner of the mouth on the operated side (~1 week). • Firmness: a hardened area may be felt in the jaw region for up to a month.

• What is a sinus lift and when is it needed? +

  A sinus lift is a procedure that increases the amount of bone in the upper jaw — exactly where there is most often too little of it to place an implant. There are two types. An open sinus lift is used when there is very little bone: the dentist augments the bone first and only then places the implant. A closed sinus lift is a less invasive procedure — it is used when there is almost enough bone and the implant can be placed straight away at the same visit. Which method is right is determined by 3D diagnostics, before the treatment plan is drawn up.

• What does a dental implant consist of? +

  An implant is not simply a “screw in the jaw” — it is a system of four parts. The titanium implant integrates into the jawbone and replaces the root of the tooth; this process is called osseointegration. The healing abutment is a temporary element that shapes the gum naturally around the implant. The abutment, or connecting part, joins the implant to the crown — the choice between a metal and a zirconia abutment depends on the position and on the thickness of the gum: for front teeth with thin gums, the zirconia option looks more natural. The crown is the final result — metal-ceramic or zirconia, identical to a natural tooth in both appearance and function.

• How long does the dental implantation process take? +

  The overall time depends on each patient's individual situation. In the simplest cases — from placing the implant to the final crown — the process takes 3–6 months, while the implant integrates into the jawbone. If bone augmentation or a sinus lift is required, it can take longer. Our clinic also offers the “full arch in a day” concept (All-on-4/All-on-6), where a temporary prosthesis is fitted immediately after surgery.

• How much does a dental implant cost in Riga? +

  At the We Care clinic the price of an implant starts from €650 and depends on the implant system chosen. We work with four brands — MegaGen, NEODENT, ANKYLOS and Straumann — and the choice of system is not always only a question of price. Often the specific clinical situation dictates which implant will give the best result: if the bone quality is lower, for example, a system with a special surface treatment may have the advantage, while in more complex cases a system with the precision typical of German engineering may be more suitable. Alongside the implant, you should also allow for the cost of the abutment, the crown and, if it is needed, bone augmentation. A precise recommendation and price can only be given after a consultation and 3D diagnostics.

• Is placing an implant painful? +

  The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, so there is no pain during the surgery itself. Once the anaesthetic wears off there may be slight discomfort and swelling, which usually subsides within 3–5 days. Most patients say that having a tooth extracted was more painful than having an implant placed.