How to choose dental implants?

29.05.2026
How to choose dental implants? A guide for patients who want to understand the details.

Dental implantation is one of the most searched dental procedures online. Yet most articles stop at: “an implant replaces the tooth root, a crown goes on top, it looks like a real tooth.” That is true — but it is only the beginning...
In this article we answer the questions patients often ask during a consultation but that are hard to find online: why implant systems differ, what to do if there is not enough bone, and how to choose a clinic so that there are no problems 10 years from now.
What does it mean to “choose an implant system”? Most patients think an implant is just an implant. In reality, there are more than 200 different implant systems on the market, and their quality, durability and — crucially — future availability differ dramatically.

Why does this matter?
An implant is placed for life. But the crown, abutment or screw may need to be replaced after 10–15 years. If your implant is made with a little-known system, there is a risk that in the future:

• the clinic will not have the right keys or instruments
• the abutment will have to be ordered from abroad with a long waiting time
• doctors at other clinics will not recognise the system and will decline to help

Straumann and Ankylos — why we choose these particular systems?
At the We Care clinic our implantologists Dr. Darja Sorokina and Dr. Viktorija Povilāne work mainly with two systems — Straumann (Switzerland) and Ankylos (Germany, Dentsply Sirona).
Straumann is the most widely used implant system in the world. This gives a practical advantage: if in 15 years you live in London, Berlin or Tallinn, any experienced implantologist will recognise this system and be able to provide care without problems. Instruments, abutments and components are available worldwide.
Ankylos is known for excellent primary stability and conical connection technology that reduces the risk of bacterial penetration around the implant neck. It is the choice for complex cases — with limited bone volume or heightened aesthetic demands.
In addition to these systems, the clinic also offers MegaGen and NEODENT implants — a good choice for patients on a limited budget, without sacrificing quality.
What happens if there is not enough bone?This is a question many patients are afraid to ask. The answer is simple: a lack of bone is not an obstacle to implantation — it is an additional step in the treatment plan.
Sinus liftIf a tooth is missing in the upper jaw (in the molar region), the adjacent nasal sinus is often located too low for the implant to have enough bone. A sinus lift is a procedure in which the bone volume is increased by raising the sinus floor and filling the space with osteoplastic material.
At the We Care clinic a sinus lift is performed using two methods — open and closed (depending on the amount of bone), and the implant can be placed during the same operation or after 4–6 months.
Bone grafting (augmentation)If the bone has resorbed horizontally or vertically (which happens when a tooth was extracted several years ago), bone augmentation is performed before implantation — a special membrane and osteoplastic material promote the formation of new bone tissue.

Important: The sooner you see an implantologist after losing a tooth, the lower the chance that bone grafting will be needed. Bone begins to resorb as early as 3–6 months after tooth loss.

1. What does the implantation process look like step by step?Consultation and 3D diagnostics — a CBCT scan allows precise assessment of the amount of bone and location and the selection of the optimal implant
2. Treatment plan — the implantologist prepares an individual plan with the sequence of procedures, timeline and costs
3. Implant placement — surgery under local anaesthesia, lasting 30–60 minutes; most patients return to work the next day
4. Osseointegration — 2–4 months while the implant fuses with the bone
5. Abutment placement and gum shaping
6. Crown fabrication and fixation — a zirconia or metal-ceramic crown

How much does dental implantation cost at the We Care clinic?
We believe prices should be clear even before the consultation.

Full rehabilitation cost (implant + abutment + zirconia or metal-ceramic crown) — from €1 350 līdz €1 700, depending on the chosen system and crown material.

If a sinus lift or bone grafting is needed, these costs are included in the treatment plan during the consultation — no surprises.
The clinic cooperates with Citadele and other financial partners — payment can be split into instalments.

5 questions to ask the clinic before implantationBefore booking, find out:

1. Which implant systems do you work with? — preference for widely used systems (Straumann, Nobel, Ankylos)
2. Do you have experience with complex cases — sinus lift, bone grafting?
3. Does your clinic have CBCT (3D) diagnostics? — without it precise planning is impossible
4. How many implantation surgeries has the doctor performed?
5. What is the warranty and what happens in case of complications?

Conclusion:
Implantation is a long-term investment — not only of money, but also of health. When choosing a clinic, look beyond the price: which systems are used, whether the doctor is experienced with complex cases, and whether you can receive care even after 10 years — both in Latvia and abroad.

At the We Care clinic we offer a consultation where the implantologist will assess your situation and prepare an individual treatment plan with clear costs.
Book a consultation →
Phone: +371 27 729 000

The article was prepared in collaboration with the We Care clinic implantologists Dr. Darja Sorokina and Dr. Viktorija Povilāne.