Dental Implants in Greece


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Dental implants, bolts made from varying grades of titanium, are used in dentistry at substitutes for the roots of your teeth. These screw directly into your jawbone, and then over a period of time slowly ‘osseointegrate’ – that is to say, merge with the bone itself – until they are fixed in position and sturdy. This is a very useful procedure for a patient who has damaged, missing or severely decayed teeth, as a denture, crown or false tooth can then be fitted onto the foundation which the implant provides. It is a very popular procedure for medical tourists. Certainly there is more to choosing Greece as a destination for your medical holiday than the lush scenery and agreeable climate, for prices of procedures across the board, including dental implants, are far cheaper than the UK and many other European countries. Similarly the exacting standards that are imposed on any legally practising dentist in Greece ensure that the general quality of dental care is exceptionally high.

Procedure of dental implants in Greece

The procedure followed for dental implant treatment by Greek clinics is not dissimilar from that offered in most countries. Indeed, if the dentist has been trained in the UK, and has then returned to Greece, you can be almost certain that the treatment will be carried out in the same way as it would be in the UK.


First a map of your mouth will be made by computer systems. The reasons for this are twofold. Firstly the dentist needs to determine whether you are a suitable patient for the procedure – any aspects of your gums, jawbone, or region surrounding the site you wish to have implants which proves to be unsuitable for this treatment, even if you have additional treatments, will rule you out as a candidate. However, the vast majority of people who wish to have this treatment are found to eligible. Secondly, the CT (computer tomography – this works by combining 2D X-ray images into a full 3D model) scans will allow the dentist to see what additional work will need to be done before the implants procedure can begin.

In the event that you are eligible for the treatment, but will need extra work, this can mean a number of things. The main two additional procedures you may have to undergo are gum (gingival) grafting and bone grafting. All these do is make sure that any factors that would restrict the effectiveness of the dental implant are negated, and ensure that you will have long-lasting and secure implants. If you need to undergo gum grafting then the doctor will add tissue to and/or reshape the area of gum surrounding the target location for the implants. This is to make sure there is enough gum to support and protect the implant. Gum tissue will be taken from non-essential areas of the mouth and then grafted on, typically by a scalpel but also potentially by other methods, as the dentist deems appropriate.

You will have to undergo bone grafting if the area of jawbone around the implant is insufficient in size or strength to properly hold the implant. Bone can be taken from a non-essential area, typically in the chin or the pelvis, and grafted onto to augment the jawbone. However recent advances in technology now mean you can have synthetic material grafted on, and this will be able to osseointegrate with the implants in the exact same way as real bone. Which form of bone grafting you undergo will depend on your own preference, the dentist’s advice and the provisions of the individual clinic. After any of the additional treatments you will have to undergo have been completed, you will then be ready to have a dental implant.

Typically any dental implant procedure, in Greece or elsewhere, will be done under local anaesthetic, which numbs the area that is being operated on while keeping the patient awake. Throughout the procedure a saline spray is used to keep the area around the target zone cool, and to prevent overheating of the bone during the treatment, which can have severe consequences. First a ‘pilot hole’ is drilled into the area of jawbone that has been selected as the most appropriate for the implant with a narrow drill bit. This can then be gradually enlarged by a progressive series of increasing drill sizes, until it has become wide enough for the implant to fit in. Finally the implant is installed. After this you will be free to return home and will be recalled to the clinic in due time.

Completing your dental implant treatment in Greece

There is considerable debate on how long the osseointegration process can take to complete. Traditionally dentists do not offer the option of completing the treatment until the implant is fully osseonintegrated with your bone. Generally a safe period to leave until the completion of the treatment is 6 months, although some dentists consider the process to be quicker on the lower jaw. You must be sceptical of any dentist who offers to complete the treatment after a shorter time period, because they may not be fully aware of all the implications.

However, some dentists in Greece now offer the option of ‘immediate loading’ – this means that your crown, denture or false tooth can be fitted within about 1.5 days. This is a new but proven procedure, though you may still prefer to wait for the osseointegration to complete. It is not possible to immediately load the implants of every patient, but you should definitely discuss the possibilities with your Greek dentist and your UK dentist if you are presented with this choice. One advantage of immediate loading is that the dentist will not have to uncover the implants in the follow-up treatment.

Should you choose to wait until osseointegration is complete, you will return after the agreed period of time to have your denture fitted. First the implant will need to be uncovered, as it is likely that gum tissue will have grown over it and covered the area. Once this tissue has been removed or spread out, supports are fitted to the implant; finally the denture, false tooth or crown can be fitted to the supports, and your treatment will be complete, leaving you with a fresh and aesthetic new smile. Problems can still arise shortly after treatment, so you may be advised to remain in Greece for a while just in case, but equally you can make arrangements with your UK dentist in case you experience any difficulties. In any case you should find it easy enough to return to Greece should you have a definite need to.

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