Read our FAQ (frequently asked questions), and if you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, please submit your questions.
What is the dental implant procedure like?
The dental implant placement procedure is relatively short. The procedure is performed in cases of single tooth loss, multiple missing teeth, or full edentulism.
Here are the steps of the procedure:
- Patient Evaluation: First, the dental professional assesses the patient’s suitability for the implant procedure, taking into account their oral health, general health, and the number of missing teeth. A personal consultation at the clinic is required.
- Anesthesia: The procedure begins with local anesthesia to ensure patient comfort throughout the process. It is possible to perform the entire procedure under general anesthesia (narcosis), but this requires a specially equipped facility and an on-staff anesthesiologist, so it may not be an option at every clinic.
- Gum Incision: The dental professional makes an incision in the gum tissue at the planned implantation site to expose the area where the implant will be placed.
- Implant Placement: The titanium implant is precisely screwed into the alveolar bone. This process typically takes between 40 minutes and an hour.
- Post-Procedure Check-up: The next visit is scheduled by the dental professional. The patient returns for a follow-up appointment so the professional can assess the implant’s status and adjust subsequent steps if necessary.
- Suture Removal: After approximately two weeks, depending on the healing process, the sutures are removed.
Throughout the procedure, the dental professional is usually assisted by two dental assistants, which ensures an efficient and safe process. It is not recommended to perform this procedure without the help of assistants. After the implant is placed, the patient receives clear post-operative instructions and remains in close contact with the clinic. Subsequent follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor the healing process and adjust future actions as needed. At least one post-operative check-up is always required.
How to determine if I am a candidate for dental implants?
Before scheduling your implant placement procedure, an in-person consultation at the clinic is required. During this visit, you will find out whether you are a suitable candidate for implants. It is possible to combine this visit with a procedure reservation on the same day. Here are the steps involved in the pre-operative consultation:
- Detailed Medical History: The dental professional conducts a thorough discussion with the patient, gathering information on their general health, medical history, and previous medical interventions.
- Clinical Examination: The specialist performs a careful physical examination of the patient, focusing on the area to be treated with implants.
- Diagnostic Imaging: To obtain a comprehensive evaluation of the oral cavity, various imaging studies are used, such as panoramic radiographs or a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan.
- General Medical Tests, Specialist Consultations: In specific cases, the patient may be referred for additional general medical tests and specialist consultations to rule out any contraindications for implant treatment. This may be related to factors such as medications affecting blood clotting or health contraindications for anesthesia or sedation.
A comprehensive consultation allows for a thorough assessment of the patient’s health, eliminating any general or local contraindications, which is a crucial step before proceeding with the implant procedure.
Who can a foreigner file a complaint or claim with regarding a dental implant procedure performed in Poland?
When a foreigner has a complaint about a dental procedure performed in Poland, they can take the following steps:
- Direct Contact with the Clinic This is always the first and simplest step. Many clinics, especially those focused on medical tourism, employ staff who speak foreign languages. It’s best to submit the complaint in writing (email), describing the problem in detail and including medical documentation.
- The Patient’s Rights Spokesperson (Rzecznik Praw Pacjenta) This is an institution that protects the rights of patients in Poland. You can contact them to get free legal assistance and advice. The spokesperson can intervene on your behalf, although it is important to remember that their actions do not always lead to penalties for the facility but are more focused on mediation.
- Email address: kancelaria@rpp.gov.pl
- Patient’s Rights Spokesperson website: https://www.gov.pl/web/rpp/
- Phone: 800 190 590 (hotline is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
- Important: Cases can be filed in Polish, so it’s a good idea to ask for help from someone who knows the language.
- District Medical Chamber (Okregowa Izba Lekarska) Every dentist in Poland must be a member of a District Medical Chamber. You can file a complaint about the professional’s conduct if you suspect medical malpractice or a violation of ethical principles. Complaints are reviewed by the district professional liability spokesperson.
- Contact information for District Medical Chambers can be found on the website of the Polish Chamber of Physicians and Dentists (Naczelna Izba Lekarska).
- Civil Court If the above steps do not lead to a resolution and the dispute involves, for example, high compensation, you can take the matter to court. This will require hiring a lawyer, which involves high costs and a long process. In such cases, it will be necessary to prove the clinic’s fault.