Dental Implants
Dental Implants in Basel
In brief: dental implants
A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth and can support a crown, bridge or removable prosthesis. Most implants are made of titanium; ceramic zirconia implants are an alternative for selected indications. Successful treatment depends on osseointegration, prosthetic design, soft tissues and long-term maintenance.
Our Basel practice focuses on restoratively driven implant treatment, from single-tooth replacements to complex rehabilitations. Digital scans and, when indicated, CBCT and guided surgery are combined to plan implant position in relation to the intended restoration, anatomy and cleanability.
Potential Benefits and Treatment Goals
Fixed and load-bearing: implant-supported restorations can restore chewing function without a removable denture in suitable cases.
Preserves neighbouring teeth: unlike a conventional bridge, implant treatment usually does not require preparation of intact adjacent teeth.
Functional loading of an osseointegrated implant can help maintain bone around the implant, although natural post-extraction remodelling cannot be completely prevented.
Aesthetics and function: implant position, soft tissue and the final restoration are planned together to achieve a harmonious result where anatomy allows.
Digitally planned: three-dimensional imaging and CAD/CAM workflows are used when they add clinically relevant information.
Established biomaterials: titanium is the clinical standard; zirconia is a metal-free alternative for selected cases.
Timing of implant placement
Immediate implant placement
Immediate implant placement means inserting the implant into the fresh extraction socket at the same appointment as tooth removal.
Potential advantages for patients
Potentially fewer surgical stages and a shorter overall treatment pathway. An immediate provisional restoration may be possible in selected cases, particularly in the anterior region, when primary stability and loading conditions are favourable.
With suitable anatomy and careful planning, immediate treatment can help support the existing soft-tissue contour.
Fewer surgical appointments may be required, although healing biology is not accelerated simply by placing the implant earlier.
When is it suitable?
Favourable socket anatomy, the ability to achieve primary stability and controlled infection risk are important prerequisites.
Usually not the preferred approach when there are extensive socket-wall defects, insufficient primary stability, uncontrolled infection or other major risk factors.
Early / delayed implant placement
Early implant placement is commonly performed several weeks after extraction, once soft-tissue healing has occurred and the site has begun to remodel.
Potential advantages for patients
A healed or partially healed site can provide more predictable soft-tissue conditions and may facilitate assessment of available bone and primary stability.
For sites with defects, delayed or early treatment can provide time for soft-tissue healing and planned augmentation before or at implant placement.
than an immediate approach in some situations with a compromised facial bone wall.
When is it suitable?
After extraction sites with a thin or defective facial bone wall, following resolution of acute inflammation, or when additional
Timing is selected individually according to tissue phenotype, defect morphology, infection, aesthetic risk and restorative requirements rather than by a single standard protocol.
Treatment Process
Diagnostics and planning – clinical examination, photographs, digital scan, risk assessment and CBCT when three-dimensional imaging is indicated.
Implant placement under local anaesthesia – tissue-preserving insertion, guided when useful, with bone augmentation or sinus elevation if required.
Healing and restorative phase – osseointegration typically requires several weeks to months; augmented sites may require longer before definitive restoration.
Definitive restoration and maintenance – abutment and crown/bridge or prosthesis, hygiene instruction and risk-based recall.
Materials and Treatment Options
Implant: titanium as the most established material; zirconia for selected indications
Abutment: titanium, zirconia or another restorative material depending on the indication
all-ceramic or other evidence-based restorative materials; monolithic or layered designs depending on indication
Titanium implant:
Zirconia implant
Scientific Context
Long-term studies show high implant survival rates, commonly above 90% over ten years, but survival is not the same as absence of complications and depends on patient, site and maintenance factors.
Jung RE. et al. (2012). J Dent Res 91(12): 1205–1212. PMID: 23114153
Chappuis V. et al. (2018). Clin Oral Implants Res 29(Suppl 16): 1–6. PMID: 30198184
Immediate placement can be successful in carefully selected cases, but aesthetic risk is influenced by facial bone thickness, soft-tissue phenotype and implant position.
Chen ST. & Buser D. (2014). Clin Oral Implants Res 25(2): 121–128. PMID: 23682970
Implant loading transmits forces to peri-implant bone, but it should not be described as completely preventing post-extraction bone resorption. Ridge remodelling is influenced by many biological and mechanical factors.
Frost HM. (2004). Anat Rec A 281(1): 4–12. PMID: 15224429
Clinical evidence for zirconia implants is growing, with favourable survival reported in selected systems; however, long-term evidence remains more extensive for titanium.
Padhye NM. et al. (2023). Clin Oral Implants Res 34(10): 1203–1218. PMID: 37740825
Good plaque control, smoking-risk management and professional recall are important for reducing peri-implant disease risk and detecting complications early.
Sanz M. et al. (2020). J Clin Periodontol 47(S22): 326–346. PMID: 33094570
Costs and Individual Treatment Planning
Total cost depends on the site, bone and soft-tissue conditions, material, need for augmentation and treatment complexity. You receive an individual cost estimate in advance.
Treatment | Indicative Range |
Implant placement (including local anaesthesia and surgery) | 1’600–2’600 |
Abutment + ceramic crown | 1’900–3’200 |
Total single-tooth implant restoration (standard case) | 3’800–5’800 |
Bone augmentation (GBR / internal sinus lift) | + 600–1’200 / 700–1’400 |
CBCT / 3D planning, if required | 150–450 |
Guided surgical template (optional) | + 300–700 |
Multiple missing teeth / free-end situations
Two implants supporting a three-unit bridge: approximately CHF 9,000–11,000, depending on the clinical and laboratory requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Does implant surgery hurt?
Implant placement is usually performed under local anaesthesia. Mild to moderate postoperative soreness and swelling can occur and are managed according to the individual situation.
How long does the whole treatment take?
Immediate placement can shorten the treatment pathway in suitable cases. Early or delayed protocols take longer but may be more predictable when defects or infection are present. A common overall course from extraction to definitive crown is several months and may be longer when augmentation is required.
Implant or bridge?
If neighbouring teeth are intact, an implant can avoid preparing them for a bridge. If adjacent teeth already require crowns, or surgery should be avoided, a conventional bridge may be appropriate. We compare the options neutrally.
How long does a dental implant last?
With good oral hygiene, risk-factor control and regular professional maintenance, implants can function for many years. Lifelong success cannot be guaranteed.
Titanium or zirconia?
Both titanium and zirconia are established biocompatible materials. Titanium has the broadest long-term evidence; zirconia is a metal-free alternative with more limited indications and evidence.
Does implant placement hurt?
The procedure is normally carried out under local anaesthesia; sedation can be considered in selected situations. Postoperative pressure, swelling or soreness can occur.
When can I eat again?
After implant surgery, soft food is generally recommended initially. The timing of normal chewing depends on whether the implant is immediately loaded, the stability achieved and whether bone augmentation was performed.
Stable, aesthetic and planned at the right time
Are you considering a predictable, individually planned implant solution?
Dr Thomas Gasser has postgraduate university training in oral implantology, including the MAS in Oral Implantology at the University of Zurich, in addition to specialist training in reconstructive dentistry. This background supports integrated planning of the surgical and restorative phases, from single-tooth implants to complex rehabilitations.
Diagnostics and Planning
For implant treatment, planning starts with the intended final restoration and works backwards. Bone volume, soft tissue, implant position, bite, cleanability and long-term maintenance are assessed together; three-dimensional imaging is used only when it provides additional information relevant to the clinical question.
Limitations, Risks and Alternatives
Implants and augmentation procedures are not equally suitable in every situation. Possible biological and technical complications include inflammation, loss of bone or soft tissue, failure of osseointegration and the need for repairs to the restoration. Smoking, a history of periodontal disease, medical conditions and oral hygiene can influence the risk.
Dental implants in Basel: experience and clinical context
Implant treatment at Fachzahnarztpraxis Dr. Gasser in Basel is planned from a restorative perspective. Dr Thomas Gasser is a specialist in reconstructive dentistry (SSRD), completed the MAS in Oral Implantology at the University of Zurich and is, among other professional affiliations, a member of the ITI. Complex situations are planned in an interdisciplinary manner when appropriate.More about Dr Thomas Gasser’s training and qualifications.
Related Topics on Our Website
Depending on the individual situation, Guided Implant Surgery,Atraumatic Tooth Extraction (Benex) or Dental Bone Grafting may also be relevant.You can find further dental services in Basel in our treatment overview.
Literature and Scientific Context
PubMed PMID 30904559 – Long-term (10-year) dental implant survival: A systematic review and sensitivity meta-analysis
PubMed PMID 40756940 – Comparison of Accuracy of Dental Implant Placement Between Freehand and Guided Implant Surgery-A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
The selected literature provides scientific context. Which findings are relevant to a specific treatment depends on the diagnosis, the starting situation, individual risks and the treatment goals agreed together.
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