Basal dental implantation in Barcelona

Basal Dental Implantation in Barcelona

Basal implantation is a single-stage surgical technique for dental arch restoration, in which titanium structures are fixed in the cortical and basal layers of the jawbone, which are resistant to atrophy. This allows a functional prosthesis to be installed within 3–5 days without prior bone grafting.

At our Barcelona clinic, basal implantation is performed by implantologists with over 12 years of experience, certified by the Colegio de Odontólogos y Estomatólogos de Cataluña. Systems: Nobel Biocare, Straumann (including Straumann PURE), Sweden & Martina, Astra Tech. Consultations are conducted in Russian.

What is basal implantation and how does it work?

Basal implantation is a dental surgical technique in which implants are placed not in the alveolar process (the site of the missing tooth), but in the deep layers of the jawbone: the cortical and basal layers. The term derives from the Latin «basis» — foundation. These layers are located at a depth of 8–14 mm and are virtually not subject to resorption (atrophy), even if the tooth has been absent for many years.

In classical implantation, the artificial root is implanted into the alveolar process and requires 3–6 months for complete osseointegration. If bone volume is insufficient, bone grafting or a sinus lift is required: an additional procedure that increases the cost and duration of treatment by 4–9 months. The basal technique eliminates this problem: the cortical and basal layers are dense, do not atrophy, and provide immediate loading of the implant right after placement.

The abutment (the connection element to the crown) and the implant body in basal systems form a single-piece construction, which increases mechanical reliability and eliminates the risk of loosening at the connection zone.

The basal technique was developed in Europe in the mid-1990s. Over 30 years of clinical practice, it has proven its effectiveness in complex clinical cases — pronounced bone atrophy, severe periodontitis, and complete edentulism. According to Spanish clinic data (Associació Catalana d'Implantologia), in 90% of cases the procedure is performed without prior modification of bone volume.

Comparison: basal vs classical implantation

Who is indicated for basal implantation in Barcelona?

Basal implantation is recommended for patients for whom classical techniques are unavailable or ineffective.

Indications:

• Partial or complete edentulism — absence of 3 or more teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw

• Pronounced atrophy of the alveolar ridge, where a sinus lift or bone graft is undesirable or contraindicated

• Moderate and severe periodontitis: the cortical and basal layers remain intact in periodontitis, ensuring reliable primary fixation

• Inflammatory processes in the alveolar zone that exclude standard implantation

• Discomfort, phonetic and chewing impairment when wearing removable dentures

• Compensated type II diabetes mellitus — following a conclusion from the treating endocrinologist

Contraindications:

• Oncological diseases in active stage

• Diseases of the haematopoietic system (coagulation disorders)

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding period

• Osteoporosis with intravenous bisphosphonate use — the risk of osteonecrosis outweighs the benefit

• Single missing tooth — in this case, classical implantation or a dental bridge is preferred

If you are unsure whether you have indications, book a free initial consultation. The implantologist will conduct an examination, panoramic X-ray, and 3D CT scan and provide an answer based on your clinical case.

Types of basal implants in our clinic

The choice of design depends on bone volume and density, alveolar ridge width, and the number of teeth to be restored. The implantologist determines the type based on 3D CT scan data.

Compression basal implants. Conical form with a small-diameter thread. The rough surface coating accelerates osseointegration and provides primary stability at the time of placement. Optimal when the cortical plate density is sufficient and 3 to 6 teeth are being restored.

Disc basal implants (BOI — Basal Osseointegrated Implant). The lower part has a disc shape with bicortical threading: fixation occurs laterally rather than axially — this is critical when the alveolar ridge width is less than 4 mm. Used in severe atrophy and horizontal bone volume loss.

Combined basal implants. Combine compression and bicortical threading. Provide maximum primary stability with non-uniform bone structure. Form the basis of constructions used in full rehabilitation (All-on-4, All-on-6).

Stages of basal implantation at our clinic

The complete course of treatment takes 3 to 5 working days — the patient can come specifically for the procedure and leave with a finished functional prosthesis.

Day 1 — Diagnostics (2–3 hours). Full examination of the oral cavity. Panoramic X-ray and 3D CT scan using clinic equipment. Laboratory tests if required. The implantologist draws up an individual treatment plan specifying the number and type of implants, prosthesis material, and final cost. The consultation is conducted in Russian.

Day 2 — Surgical stage (1.5–2.5 hours). Operation under local anaesthesia (articaine) or sedation at the patient's choice. Instead of an incision, a puncture of no more than 3 mm. The implantologist places the structures in the cortical and basal bone layers. Sutures are generally not required. After the operation the patient remains under observation for 30–60 minutes.

Days 3–5 — Prosthetic stage (2–3 hours). Fabrication and fixation of the temporary prosthesis onto the abutments — without an additional operation. The prosthesis is fully functional: the patient speaks, smiles, and can eat soft food. Digital impressions are simultaneously taken using an intraoral scanner for fabrication of the permanent zirconia construction using the CAD/CAM method.

After 3–6 months — Permanent prosthesis. Upon completion of osseointegration, the temporary prosthesis is replaced by a permanent one made of zirconia or metal-ceramic. For patients from other countries, the clinic provides complete medical documentation for remote monitoring — a return visit is only required for the final stage.

Advantages of basal implantation over classical

No bone grafting. Fixation in the cortical and basal layers eliminates the need for a sinus lift and bone grafting in 90% of cases — reducing treatment cost and eliminating an additional 4–9 month waiting period.

Prosthesis in 3–5 days. Immediate loading of the implant allows a functional prosthesis to be fixed within 72–120 hours after the operation. With classical implantation, this period is 3–6 months.

Minimally invasive technique. A puncture instead of an incision reduces trauma, eliminates the need for sutures, and shortens the rehabilitation period to 3–7 days.

Applicable in periodontitis. Classical implantation is contraindicated in active periodontitis. The basal and cortical layers remain healthy in periodontitis, making the technique available to this category of patients.

Less invasive than zygomatic implants. In severe atrophy of the upper jaw, the alternative is zygomatic implantation — a more complex operation. Basal implants handle the majority of atrophy cases without intervention in the zygomatic bone.

The crown is independent of the implant. If the crown is damaged, only the crown is replaced — the implant remains in the bone. This eliminates the need for a repeat operation and reduces long-term costs.

Suitable for type II diabetes. Patients with compensated type II diabetes mellitus undergo the procedure after receiving a conclusion from the endocrinologist. At our Barcelona clinic, 8 out of 10 patients with this diagnosis receive a positive verdict.

Immediate restoration of chewing function. Chewing pressure through the prosthesis stimulates blood circulation and accelerates recovery processes in the oral tissues — this is the physiological effect of immediate loading.

Cost of basal implantation in Barcelona

The price of basal dental implantation in Barcelona depends on the number of teeth to be restored, the type of prosthesis (metal-ceramic or zirconia), and the volume of preliminary treatment.