Have you already started researching dental implants in Budapest, Turkey, or somewhere else abroad within Europe? Would you like to enjoy an actual vacation on your trip as well? Many people don’t realize there is a new player in the game when it comes to dental tourism, and that is Croatia. Dental implants in Croatia are now becoming one of the best options for patients traveling from UK, Switzerland, & other European countries where dental implants are expensive.
Croatia is now becoming one of Europe’s top dental tourism destinations. It’s picturesque sunsets, sunny weather, rich history, and majestic mountains make it place that is very worth visiting. In addition, Croatia is also one of the Europe’s top ESL (English as a Second Language) destinations. This means that dentists, doctors, vendors and almost everyone in Croatia can communicate in English. You may want to consider Croatia during your search for a dentist in Turkey or Budapest.
Dental Tourism in Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia and is rich in history. The preservation of its history played a huge part in why Croatia has become one of Europe’s top tourism destinations. Zagreb developed around a Roman Empire outpost called Andautonia. As the years passed it became a major center for religion and trade, and as a result, grew into the country’s largest city.
You’ll want to visit religious sites like the St Catherine’s Church, St. Mark’s Church, and St. Mark’s square. Zagreb is a great destination for art lovers because you can visit the city’s amazing art galleries.
If you are looking to get your dental implants in Croatia, Zagreb is a great destination to stay. Patients traveling to us from abroad are provided with free accommodations for surgical cases.
Dental Tourism in Split, Croatia
Croatia is famous for its beautiful coastline, and many patients love to take advantage of this fact when traveling for dental implants in Croatia. You will get a chance to see some breath-taking beaches on the seemingly never-ending coastline of Croatia. The scenic Dalmatian coast line is 3600 miles of some of the most picturesque beaches in Europe. The coast runs from Rijeka in the north to the city of Dubrovnik in the south. Croatia is an amazing place to visit if you are looking to relax at the beach.
Split is a great place to start because it is port city in the northern part of the Dalmatian coast. It is known for its beautiful beaches, amazing cuisines, and the UNESCO sites in the Old Town area of the city. Also, the most attractive thing about Split is that you can walk just about everywhere in the Old Town. The area is full of historical sites from the Roman times. In essence, you will be stepping into an area that is still part of a distant past. Some of the architecture and buildings there are over 1700 years old.
One of the best things about coming to see us in Split is the free accommodations. We offer our patients a place to stay that right next to the old town area, so you can explore the sights right from your doorstep. Not to mention the fact that the area is also a filming location for the Game of Thrones TV series. You can enjoy a coastal walking city with tons of history by choosing to get your dental work in Split. You will never run out of things to do in your free time after your dental appointments when you are here.
Dental Tourism in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik is full of history. Each empire, ruler, and powerful figure that has ever been there has left traces of their past. You will find that the locals pride themselves on its rich history so it has been preserved for generations. The architecture and scenery are like something out of a movie. Therefore, it is also home to many of the sets in the Game of Thrones TV series. The walls, stones and architecture are so unique, it rivals that of Rome.
Dubrovnik is famous for its location on the Dalmatian Coast. It is home to a number of beautiful white sand beaches, historic relics, and very friendly people. Moreover, Croatia has over 1200 islands, so you can visit some of its most stunning island destinations from Dubrovnik. It is an ideal location to visit if you are looking for an authentic Croatian cultural experience. Being in Dubrovnik will give you an idea of how people lived in old Europe. Overall, your trip to Croatia will likely be more fun than getting implants in Budapest or going to a dentist in Turkey.
Learn about Dental Implants
Whether you are getting dental implants in Croatia or anywhere else, it’s important to know the basics of this procedure. A dental implant is a dental prosthesis, or simply put, a fixed denture. This means that you do not have to remove it every single day like a conventional denture. Dental implants are a great way to restore your smile, help regain function, and reduce pain and suffering. Before you go start the dental implant journey, it’s important to understand the details around this very specific procedure. It’s important to understand the advantages, disadvantages, risks, and rewards that come with this procedure.
Are Dental Implants Safe?
Dental implants are safe for most people. However, if any of the following conditions apply to you, getting an implant may be not safe:
- Recent heart attack
- Bleeding issues
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Radiotherapies for cancer treatment
- Bisphosphonates therapy
How exactly do dental implants work?
The process of getting a dental implant is an attempt to simulate a natural tooth. A natural tooth is made from a combination of components that have their own unique functions. Therefore, an implant also has the same main components that serve to simulate the parts of a natural tooth.
The implant itself is a titanium screw that goes into your jaw as a substitute for the roots of your teeth. Your dental implants can be placed in your jaw regardless if you have a single missing tooth or need an entire arch. If you are missing multiple teeth, then the procedure needed is called an All-on-4 or All-on-X. These procedures require multiple implants spaced evenly across your jaw bone for an entire arch to sit upon.
The next piece that goes on top of the implant is called the abutment. This part serves to simulate the inner structure of a tooth. It is a metal screw-like fixture that sits on top of the implant and attaches to your crown.
The crown is simply a prothetic tooth. It is attached to the top of the implant and the abutment. Typically, the most common material crowns are made from is porcelain. Materials like zirconia and eMax are also options if you get your crown and dental implants in Croatia.
The normal ratio is 1 implant per 1 tooth. In some complex cases, a single implant can support two adjacent prosthetic teeth. The number of implants you need will be studied by your doctor when you arrive for your consultation in Croatia. Getting your dental implants in Croatia is beneficial over some other countries because of the high level of English education. It’s important that your doctor understands your case perfectly before moving it forward.
Why does a patient need a dental implant?
Understanding the need for a dental implant relates to the idea of someone living their life without an arm or leg. That the implant serves the same purpose as a prothetic limb. A prosthetic leg will help someone walk again, just as a prosthetic arm will help someone lift things again. Having a prosthetic limb will make them look like a normal person, while also giving them a level of functionality. Prothetic teeth have a similar function by restoring your smile and the functionality of your mouth.
Many people have the idea that just leaving the space empty is okay because they still have other teeth. This is NOT true. If you are missing teeth, the spaces are detrimental to the functionality in your mouth. An empty space will cause an uneven distribution of pressure when you chew your food. This could affect your dental occlusion.
Dental occlusion means to the ability of top teeth fit to fit into the bottom teeth snuggly. Having good occlusions means the pressure of the bite is equally distributed, allowing the patient the chew correctly.
When there is a missing space, your teeth will be considered malocclusion. As a result of this, your other teeth will shift due to the uneven distribution of your bite pressure. Eventually you will get more cavities, headaches, and jaw pain. Worst of all, it can also cause bone loss if left unchecked over time.
What is a bone graft and why does a patient need one?
Doctors will first first take a CBCT scan of your mouth so they can see the bone density in your jaw. This scan is a type of x-ray that gives them a detailed view of your teeth and jaw bone levels in 3D. If bone levels are not enough to support an implant, you will not be able to an implant right away. They first need to perform a bone graft to build up bone density in your jaw. Bone density in your jaw bone is key to supporting an implant.
A bone graft is simply adding new bone tissues into your jaw. There are three main methods/materials doctors will use to fill the missing bone spaces in your jaw:
1. Bone material can be taken from your own body in what is called an Autograft. It is one of the safest ways to add bone because the tissue is from your own body. In these situations, the body is more likely the accept this bone because it is your own.
2. Bone material can come from another person’s body in what is called an Allograft. This is highly regulated procedure that is governed by strict health and safety standards.
3. Bone tissue can come from another species, which is called a Xenograft. Bone tissue from pig or cow is mixed with other minerals and materials so it can integrate into your body.
4. A bone graft can also be made of synthetic bone tissue. This is called an Alloplast. It uses combination of man-made materials and natural minerals.
Are all bone-grafts the same?
If you have missing teeth on your bottom jaw, then this surgical procedure is relatively simple. It involves cutting back a small piece of tissue on your gums, inserting the bone graft material, and suturing the site closed.
If you are missing space in your upper jaw, then you will to undergo a procedure called a sinus lift. This procedure simply means that the doctor will cut open you gums and raise the floor of your sinuses. They do this to create a space for the new bone material to grow.
Major bone grafts can take 3-6 months to heal and will take 1 extra trip for dental implants in Croatia.
So you have good bone now, what's next?
The procedure can begin when your new CBCT scan shows that you have enough healthy bone to support an implant. You will be able to start the implant process if your bone density is at the right levels. Also, it is key that you do not have other health complications that will put you at risk. If you are getting dental implants in Croatia, it’s important to let your doctor know of any & all health issues you have before starting.
The procedure first starts with the doctor injecting an anesthetic (numbing medicine) into the gums to make the site painless. Anesthetics block your nerves from sending pain signals to your brain, making your mouth feel numb. If you are very nervous, you can also opt for a sedative that calms you down. The medications that doctors have available will help make this procedure be as painless and stress-free as possible.
The doctor will then cut open the site and drill a hole into the bone. The implant is then precisely screwed into this hole with the correct amount or torque. After the implant is in place, the doctor will then suture the gums closed around the implant.
They will then place a temporary crown on top of the implant to protect it. Finally, your doctor will instruct you on protocols to follow to ensure that your implants heal properly.
The Osseointegration Process
The doctor and the patient are now waiting for the osseointegration to happen. This means that the titanium on the grooves of the implant naturally bond with your bone. Once the implant fuses to bone, which can take anywhere from 3-6 months, the final stage can start. Good osseointegration is key to a successful dental implant case.
The Final Crown
After the osseointegration is confirmed with a CBCT scan, the doctor will place the final abutment and crown on the implant. We will use advanced computer software to create a 3D image of your tooth then design it in our lab. Following the design plan, the lab will craft your tooth from a material that fits your budget and preferences. Our dental clinics in Croatia are fully equipped to do the whole process from start to finish.
Finally, you should periodically come back for routine cleanings and check up appointments. These appointments are to ensure that the implant has healed properly and there are no complications with your case.
Traveling for Dental Implants in Croatia
Similar to getting dental implants in Turkey or Budapest, traveling to Croatia is relatively easy and convenient. Most everyone in the cities speaks English, so you will not have any problems with a language barrier in you can speak it. Also, you can catch a flight to Zagreb from most major cities in Europe. Split and Dubrovnik also have their own airports and some European countries have direct flights to them as well, especially in the summer. When you arrive in the airport, our staff will be there to pick you up, take you to your accommodations, and help you get settled in.
Driving to Croatia is also an option if you live in Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Austria, or even Switzerland. The time you will spend on the road depends on your point of origin. Upon arriving at the border, you will get into Croatia via border control point. Therefore, you’ll need to have your passport and other travel documents ready before being allowed entry.
How can SOTA Dental help?
Here at SOTA dental, dental implants is what we do! All of our doctors in Croatia are highly qualified and experienced professionals with proven track records of thousands of successful cases. They will be there with you through this process to make sure you are comfortable and well taken care of. In fact, they will make it their mission to ensure you get the best quality of dental work worldwide.
Once this process is over you will be able to smile again. You will be able to eat the foods you love and you will not have to worry about hiding the missing spaces in your teeth. You can be yourself again and feel confident about who you are. Moreover, this process has changed countless lives for the better. It has helped people find high quality solutions to their problems that are not affordable at home.
The best part about this is that you will be able to visit Croatia! We offer free accommodations in some of the best areas of each city. Zagreb is going to be a memorable experience if you want convenience and to experience a historic, yet modern city. Split will be unforgettable if you visit the coast and spend some time near the beach. Dubrovnik is going to be amazing if you love history, movie sets, and beautiful islands.
While searching for a dentist in Turkey or Budapest, don’t forget research Croatia.
If you want to learn even more and dental implants in Croatia, watch our video below from our doctors. You will find some of the most friendly people in the world here. We know that you will feel comfortable, in Croatia!
