dental implantology

What does implantology cover?

An implant replaces the tooth root; the superstructure placed on top replaces the crown. In between lie planning, three-dimensional imaging, bone and soft tissue management, the surgical procedure, the healing phase, and prosthetic restoration. The German Society for Implantology estimates around 1.3 million implants placed per year in Germany. The field is therefore an economic focus of many practices and the interface between oral surgery and prosthodontics. The decisive factor is osseointegration — the firm ingrowth of the titanium or ceramic body into the bone. Smoking, poorly controlled diabetes, and untreated periodontitis are recognised risk factors.

Is there a specialist title in implantology?

No. The continuing education regulations of the states do not recognise implantology as a specialty. Instead, professional societies offer curricula and graded certificates, from certified implantologist to specialist, each with documented case numbers and continuing education hours and recertification usually every five years. Dental chambers can also recognise a declared area of focus. Which designation may appear on the practice sign and website follows from the professional regulations of the respective dental chamber and varies from state to state.

What does the statutory health insurance cover?

Implants are in principle not a benefit of the statutory health insurance. Only in rare exceptional cases under § 28(2) SGB V does the insurer cover the implant and superstructure — for example in major jaw or facial defects following tumour or accident, permanent extreme dry mouth, generalised genetic absence of teeth, or uncontrollable muscular dysfunction. Jaw atrophy alone is not sufficient, and the insurer assesses this in an expert review procedure. Everything else is billed by the practice under the GOZ.

What does this mean for graduates from EU countries?

Implantological certificates from foreign societies are not automatically eligible for announcement in Germany. Before entering it on a website, this should be clarified with the chamber. The curricula themselves are open to every licensed dentist, regardless of the place of study, but cost several thousand euros depending on the provider and run part-time over one to two years.