Dental implants in Küsnacht: procedure and cost in Switzerland

What is a dental implant and when is it an option?

Implant, abutment and crown

A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth. It is usually a small screw anchored in the jawbone. Titanium is the usual material, but implants can also be made of ceramic. A connecting piece, the abutment, sits on the implant and holds the crown, the visible part of the tooth.

Single tooth implant for one missing tooth

If one tooth is missing, a single tooth implant with a crown closes the gap. Such a gap puts a strain on chewing and speech, and often on self-confidence. Our dental guide explains the benefits of implants compared with a bridge.

Implants for several missing teeth

Implants are also possible for several missing teeth. Not every missing tooth needs its own implant. The number depends on the gap and the bone.

Who can have a dental implant?

An implant is an option if one or more teeth are missing. At your examination, we check whether it is right for you. If the damaged tooth is still in place, the first question is whether it can be saved. See when a tooth can still be saved.

For an implant to heal well, these points matter most:

• enough jawbone where the tooth is missing
• healthy gums, with periodontitis (gum disease) treated first
• general health that allows normal wound healing
• thorough oral hygiene at home
• ideally no smoking, as it can disrupt healing

Digital implant planning with 3D scan and X-ray

Planning an implant requires an accurate picture of your teeth and jawbone. We use two digital methods.

A 3D scan instead of impression material

A small scanner captures your teeth in photorealistic 3D, with no impression material. The scan shows the gap and neighbouring teeth and is the basis for an accurate crown. See how the digital scan works.

Digital X-rays with less radiation

The X-ray shows the jawbone where the implant will go. Our digital X-rays use around 80 per cent less radiation than conventional methods. We take X-rays only when needed.

The consultation before implant surgery

Before placing the implant, we discuss the findings, your options and the cost. We take time for your questions. Please tell us about your medication and existing conditions. Some medicines and poorly controlled diabetes raise the risk of complications. Treatment only begins after a personal examination at the clinic.

The dental implant procedure step by step

Implant treatment usually follows six steps:

1. Examination and consultation: we look at the gap and discuss your options.
2. Digital planning: we use a scan and an X-ray.
3. Surgery: the implant is placed in the jaw under local anaesthesia.
4. Healing phase: the implant fuses with the bone.
5. Crown: we attach a precisely fitting crown to the healed implant.
6. Care: brushing, flossing and regular dental hygiene.

Implant surgery under local anaesthesia

We place the implant gently and under local anaesthesia. For the local anaesthetic, we also use intraosseous anaesthesia. The anaesthetic is delivered directly into the bone next to the tooth. This numbs the tooth itself, and your lip and cheek usually do not go numb. We use laser technology during the procedure. The laser keeps bleeding low and has an antibacterial effect. This supports healing. Our page on laser surgery in dentistry explains how else the laser is used. After the procedure, if it is necessary and you are eligible, our management will drive you home in our limousine.

How the implant heals into the bone

After the procedure, the bone grows onto the implant surface and bonds firmly with it. The technical term is osseointegration. It usually takes a few months, often longer in the upper jaw than in the lower. The final crown is generally fitted only after that.

A precisely fitting crown

Once the implant has healed, we attach the crown. Using the digital scan, we match its shape and colour to your neighbouring teeth.

Dental implant cost in Switzerland

Implant costs depend on your situation, so we do not list a fixed price here.

What the cost depends on

The main factors are:

• number of implants and position of the gap
• examination, X-rays and planning
• any bone grafting
• restoration on the implant, such as a single crown
• material and dental technician's work
• temporary solution during the healing phase
• number of appointments

How Swiss dental fees are calculated

In Switzerland, dental treatment is billed in tax points (Taxpunkte). Each service carries a set number of tax points. Tax points multiplied by the tax point value (Taxpunktwert) give the amount in francs. For patients who pay for treatment themselves, the Swiss Dental Association (SSO) publishes the Dentotar tariff. Depending on difficulty, it allows up to 15 per cent more or fewer tax points. Each practice sets its own tax point value, up to CHF 1.70. We bill transparently under the Dentotar tariff, with our tax point value of CHF 1.13.

Talk about the cost before you decide

We advise you openly on costs. Ask about them at the consultation, before you decide. The compulsory basic health insurance (Grundversicherung) does not usually cover implants. To talk through the costs, request a consultation about dental implants.

Caring for your dental implant

Brush and floss as with your own teeth

Care for an implant as you would your natural teeth. Brush thoroughly and clean between the teeth with floss or interdental brushes. Pay special attention to where the crown meets the gum. Plaque left there can inflame the tissue around the implant. Dentists call this peri-implantitis.

Dental hygiene and check-ups

Regular dental hygiene at the clinic is also part of implant care. One or two check-ups a year are usual. With implants, we set the interval individually after the examination. Our page on professional cleaning with ultrasound and AirFlow explains how the cleaning works.

Implant dentistry in Küsnacht

Implantology is the branch of dentistry that deals with implants. At our clinic in Küsnacht, it is one of five core areas, alongside tooth preservation, aesthetics, orthodontics and prophylaxis.

Who leads the clinic

Dr. med. dent. Susan Oswald-Schütz founded the clinic. She holds the Swiss federal diploma in dentistry and is its medical director. She covers the full spectrum of dentistry, with a focus on implantology and laser dentistry. Her technical areas of focus include laser surgery and minimally invasive treatment. She has passed three state examinations. Her path took her to the University of Zurich and the University of Basel. In New Orleans, she worked at Louisiana State University. She holds the Brånemark Master Diploma in implantology. She holds diplomas as a laser expert and as a laser safety officer and has 30 years of experience with the laser. She is a member of the SSO, SGI, CI and DGZI. Meet our founder and the team.

Getting here, parking and access

The clinic is at Goldbacherstrasse 3a in Küsnacht-Goldbach, right by the station. Parking is available, and the clinic is wheelchair and rollator accessible. For more on the location, see our page on the dentist near Küsnacht Goldbach station.