How is an implant chosen?

In this video Dr. Dt. Kıvanç Türkoğlu and Dr. Dt. Gürcan Çetin discuss one of the questions patients ask most: how is an implant system chosen? The article below explains the neutral criteria used in this choice and which details patients should keep about their own implants.

What the video covers

• Implant choice is one of the questions patients ask most often.
• The choice takes into account the condition of the jawbone, how long the system has been in use and the scientific studies behind it.
• Because an implant may need parts years later, long-term availability of the system matters.
• The prosthetic parts that go on top also affect the choice, and the surgeon and prosthetic clinician decide together.
• Patients should keep the record that shows the length, width and system details of their implant.

Bone and site first

The starting point is the bone. Width and height measured on a CT scan determine the possible length and width of the implant. Bone density matters too. In soft bone, a different body design or site preparation may be preferred so that the implant is firm from the start.

The site also changes the choice. Chewing forces are higher at the back. At the front, gum appearance and implant position matter more. Implants of different sizes may therefore be used in the same mouth. Bone thickness is not fully visible on a panoramic X-ray, so a cone beam CT is usually needed for exact measurements.

Surface and connection type

The implant surface is treated to influence how bone cells attach. Surface treatments differ between systems, and clinicians look at the published clinical data for the system they use.

The connection between the implant and the part above it also varies by system. How it fits affects the stability of the prosthesis and whether parts can be replaced.

Thinking together with the prosthetic plan

An implant carries the tooth above it, so the choice is not made on surgical grounds alone. Whether a single crown, a bridge or a fixed full-arch prosthesis is planned determines which connecting parts will be needed.

That is why the decision is often made by the surgeon and the prosthetic clinician together. Planning works backwards from the final tooth: its position is decided first and the implant is chosen to suit it.

Will parts be available years later?

An implant stays in the mouth for a long time, while the parts on top may be renewed. A screw may loosen, a crown may chip or the prosthesis may need replacing. This requires parts and tools that fit that system.

Long-term availability of the system is therefore taken into account. Making a new tooth on an implant whose parts cannot be found can be difficult.

How is the evidence weighed?

The reliability of a system is judged by clinical studies with long follow-up. Clinicians look at published results on the surface and connection of the system they use, as well as their own clinical observation.

For a newly released design, long-term data may not yet exist, and this is taken into account. Feel free to ask your clinician which system they recommend and why.

Keep your implant details

After placement you may be given a card or label showing the system, model, length and width of your implant. Keep this information.

Knowing the system name alone is not always enough. Manufacturers may change their connection designs over time, and finding the right part requires the model and dimensions. The record helps if you move, change clinician or are treated abroad.

Frequently asked

Who decides which implant is used?

Your clinician recommends one based on the bone and prosthetic plan. The options and reasons are explained to you and the decision is made together.

I have lost my implant card. What should I do?

Ask the clinic where the implant was placed for the records. Clinic records include the system and size details.

Why does a CT scan matter for implant choice?

It allows bone width and height to be measured and helps assess bone structure. Implant length and width are chosen from this information.

Related section and videos

• Section on the expertise page: Dental implant surgery
• What is a dental implant and what are the stages of treatment?
• Who are dental implants suitable for?
• Care after implant treatment
• How are dental implant types classified?

This information is for general guidance and does not replace an examination. Rapidly spreading facial swelling or difficulty swallowing or breathing is an emergency. Go to a hospital emergency department.