Dental Implants
Restore your smile with state-of-the-art titanium implants
A dental implant is an artificial root made of medical-grade titanium that is inserted into the maxillary or mandibular bone to replace a missing tooth. After a 3 to 4 month osseointegration period, a prosthetic crown is screwed or cemented onto the implant, reproducing the shape, function, and aesthetics of the natural tooth.
Dental implants are the most advanced and long-lasting solution for replacing missing teeth. At Atria Sampaio, our dental clinic in Vitacura, we use Straumann (Switzerland) implants, recognized as the implant system with the largest documented body of scientific evidence and long-term survival rates exceeding 95%, combined with digital surgical planning. As leaders in digital dentistry in Santiago, we approach every implant case with the precision that only cutting-edge technology can provide.
Our digital implantology protocol includes cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), iTero 5D intraoral scanning, 3D planning of the exact implant position with guided-surgery software, and in-clinic surgical-guide printing on Phrozen Sonic Mini 8KS or Formlabs 4B. This digital integration enables less invasive procedures with reduced post-operative swelling and significantly faster recovery compared to conventional methods. Digital planning eliminates surgical improvisation: each implant is placed exactly where it was planned, optimizing force distribution and the final aesthetic result.
Whether you need to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire arch, our team of implant specialists will design a personalized treatment plan that restores both the function and aesthetics of your smile. Our implantologists, prosthodontists, and periodontists work in a coordinated fashion under one roof to ensure that every stage of treatment is executed with the utmost excellence.
The process begins with a high-precision intraoral scan and a CBCT scan that generates a complete three-dimensional map of your bone structure, nerves, and blood vessels. With this information, our implantologist uses advanced surgical planning software to determine the ideal position, angle, and depth of each implant. From this plan, a 3D-printed surgical guide is fabricated that fits your mouth perfectly, enabling a faster, more precise surgery with minimal soft tissue incision.
Who is a candidate for dental implants? Most healthy adults can receive dental implants successfully. Even in cases of significant bone loss, our team can perform guided bone regeneration, sinus lift procedures, or bone grafts to create the necessary conditions. Patients with controlled chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension may also be candidates following a comprehensive medical evaluation. During your first consultation, our dentist in Santiago will perform a thorough assessment to determine the best strategy for your case.
Regarding recovery, computer-guided surgery has revolutionized post-operative timelines. Most patients experience mild discomfort during the first 48 to 72 hours, manageable with standard medication. Swelling is significantly reduced compared to traditional techniques thanks to minimal incisions. The osseointegration period, during which the implant fuses with the bone, generally takes 3 to 4 months, during which you will wear an aesthetic and functional provisional prosthesis.
As for the investment, every implant treatment is unique and its cost depends on the number of implants needed, the type of final prosthesis, the need for complementary procedures such as bone regeneration, and the complexity of the case. At Atria Sampaio, we offer a personalized consultation where we evaluate your situation with advanced diagnostic technology, present your treatment options, and provide a detailed and transparent quote. We offer flexible payment plans so you can access the treatment you deserve.
Benefits
- ✓A permanent solution that can last a lifetime with proper care
- ✓Computer-guided surgery for maximum precision and minimal invasiveness
- ✓Appearance and function identical to natural teeth
- ✓Preservation of jawbone, preventing bone resorption
- ✓Immediate loading option: provisional teeth on the same day as surgery
- ✓3D digital planning that eliminates surgical improvisation
- ✓3D-printed surgical guides for millimetric implant placement
- ✓Multidisciplinary team of implantologists, prosthodontists, and periodontists
Step-by-step protocol
Complete digital workflow in 3 to 6 months from diagnosis
Step 1 · 45 min
3D CBCT diagnosis
Cone-beam tomography + intraoral scan to map bone, nerves, sinuses, and soft tissue with millimetric precision.
Step 2 · 60 min
3D digital planning
We define exact position, angulation, and depth of each implant on the 3D model, considering occlusion and final aesthetics.
Step 3 · 30 min
3D-printed surgical guide
We print an individualized surgical guide in the clinic; it rests on your teeth and dictates exactly where each implant enters.
Step 4 · 60 min
Computer-guided surgery
Minimally invasive placement with the guide, often flapless. Less swelling, less pain, faster recovery.
Step 5 · 120 min
Definitive CAD/CAM crown
After osseointegration, we design and mill the definitive crown with intraoral scanner and CAD/CAM. In many cases, placed same-day.
Our Approach
Every implant case at Atria Sampaio begins with a thorough diagnosis that includes panoramic radiographs, cone beam 3D tomography, intraoral digital scanning, and occlusal analysis. We plan the position, angle, and depth of each implant using advanced surgical planning software, allowing us to fabricate 3D-printed custom surgical guides. We work with globally recognized implant systems backed by decades of scientific research and offer conscious sedation options for your comfort. Our post-operative follow-up is rigorous and personalized: we perform periodic radiographic checks, monitor osseointegration, and make prosthetic adjustments until your rehabilitation is fully completed. Our multidisciplinary team, comprising implantologists, prosthodontists, and periodontists, coordinates every stage of treatment to ensure your experience is smooth, safe, and predictable from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the full dental implant process take?
The typical process takes between 3 and 6 months, including implant placement and the osseointegration period. In select cases, we can perform immediate loading with provisional teeth on the same day. At your initial consultation, we will provide a detailed timeline.
Do dental implants hurt?
Surgery is performed under local anesthesia and, if desired, conscious sedation. Thanks to computer-guided surgery, incisions are minimal and most patients report less discomfort than expected, comparable to a simple tooth extraction.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Most healthy adults are candidates. In cases of bone loss, we can perform bone regeneration, sinus lift, or grafting procedures. A 3D tomography evaluation allows us to determine the best plan for your case.
What implant brand do you use?
We work with Straumann (Switzerland) implants, the system with the largest documented body of scientific evidence in implantology and long-term survival rates exceeding 95%. Straumann leads research in titanium surfaces (SLActive), alloys (Roxolid), and prosthetic connections, which translates to less peri-implant bone loss and higher clinical predictability.
What is immediate loading?
Immediate loading is a protocol that allows placement of fixed provisional teeth on the same day as implant surgery. It is especially useful for full-arch rehabilitations (All-on-4/All-on-6), allowing you to leave the clinic with functional and aesthetic teeth from day one.
What if I do not have enough bone for implants?
Insufficient bone is no longer an absolute contraindication. Our team performs guided bone regeneration, bone grafts, and sinus lift procedures to create the necessary conditions. With 3D digital planning, we can precisely evaluate your situation and offer the best solution.
How much does a dental implant cost?
The cost varies depending on the number of implants, the type of prosthesis, the need for complementary procedures, and the complexity of the case. We invite you to schedule a personalized consultation where we will evaluate your situation and provide a detailed, transparent quote with financing options.
How long do dental implants last?
With proper care, good oral hygiene and check-ups every 6 months, dental implants can last decades and even a lifetime. The long-term success rate of the implant systems we use exceeds 95%.
Can I have implants if I take bisphosphonates?
Depends on type, dose, duration, and administration route. Oral bisphosphonates (alendronate, risedronate) for under three to four years in patients without comorbidities usually allow implant surgery with precautions. IV bisphosphonates (zoledronate), or any bisphosphonate for over four years, raise the risk of jaw osteonecrosis and require case-by-case evaluation, often with a drug holiday coordinated with your treating physician. The decision is interdisciplinary, not purely dental.
How does a digital implant differ from a conventional one?
The implant itself is the same piece of titanium. What changes is everything around it. In the digital workflow, we plan the exact position on 3D tomography before touching the patient, fabricate a printed surgical guide that transfers the plan to the procedure with sub-millimetric precision, and often operate flapless. Surgery is shorter, less invasive, and the prosthetic rehabilitation is digitally designed from the start. Result: less postoperative pain, faster recovery, and prostheses with better fit.