Dental implants in Cluj
A dental implant is an artificial titanium root placed in the bone, onto which a new tooth is then fixed. At D'Institute in Cluj-Napoca, implants are placed by Dr. Rovana Socolov, a dentist specialising in oral implantology, using a surgical guide. Placing an implant usually takes under an hour, and healing in the bone takes a few months.
When we recommend an implant
We recommend an implant when a tooth is missing or can no longer be kept: it has a vertical crack in the root, almost all the bone around it has been lost, or it is broken down below the gum. Before any extraction, we assess whether the tooth can be treated.
How we decide whether a tooth can be keptStages and healing time
| Stage | What is done | How long it takes |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment | Consultation, CT scan (CBCT), intraoral scan, digital planning | One visit |
| Surgical guide | A guide is made from the plan, showing exactly where the implant goes | A few days |
| Placing the implant | Under local anaesthesia, through the guide | 30-60 minutes per implant |
| Healing | The implant fuses with the bone (osseointegration) | Usually 3-6 months |
| Abutment and crown | The abutment is fitted to the implant, then the zirconia crown | 3 visits over 2 weeks |
If there is not enough bone, bone augmentation or, in the upper jaw, a sinus lift is done before or at the same time as the implant. Healing then takes longer.
Why we use a surgical guide
The surgical guide is a template made from the plan drawn up on the CT scan. It sits on the teeth during the procedure and shows the exact position, angle and depth of the implant. This way the implant ends up where it was planned, away from the nerves and the sinus, and in the right position for the crown that will sit on it.
Implant straight after extraction
Sometimes the implant can be placed at the same visit as the extraction: when there is no active infection and there is enough bone around it to hold it steady. The dentist decides after the CT scan. When that is not possible, we wait for the site to heal, usually a few months.
Implants together with your own teeth
When some teeth on an arch can be kept and others cannot, they do not all need replacing. The fixed restoration is supported by your own teeth and a few implants. At D'Institute this is called D'Original Plus, and Dr. Cătălin Dimir and Dr. Rovana Socolov do it together. The extractions and implants are usually done on the same day, with fixed temporaries, and then the implants heal.
What you feel during and after the procedure
The implant is placed under local anaesthesia. During the procedure you feel pressure and vibration. Dr. Socolov checks how you are doing as she goes.
With a surgical guide, swelling is usually minor, and any pain is kept under control with the usual anti-inflammatories your dentist recommends. Symptoms usually settle within the first 3 days.
What to eat after an implant
- on the first day: soft, lukewarm food, not hot;
- for the first few days: do not chew on the implant side;
- do not smoke, because smoking slows healing;
- rinse gently and do not drink through a straw.
The dentist gives you written instructions after the procedure.
What an implant costs, with everything included
A tooth on an implant has several parts, each with its own price: the implant, the surgical guide, the abutment and the crown. Sometimes bone augmentation or a sinus lift is added. They are all in the price list, under Implantology and surgery, and your treatment plan gives you the total cost before you start.
Who places the implants
Dr. Rovana Socolov, a dentist specialising in oral implantology, places the implants at D'Institute and works with a surgical guide. She speaks German, English and Spanish.
Cases
Images from Dr. Rovana Socolov's cases: planning on the CT scan, the surgical guide and fixed restorations on implants.
Results vary from one patient to another.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental implant cost in Cluj?
At D'Institute, the cost of a tooth on an implant is made up of the implant, the abutment and the crown, plus the surgical guide and sometimes bone augmentation. All the fees are in the price list, under Implantology and surgery, and you get the total cost in your written plan.
How long does implant surgery take?
Placing an implant usually takes 30-60 minutes, under local anaesthesia. With a surgical guide, the procedure is planned in advance on the CT scan.
How long does an implant take to heal?
The implant fuses with the bone in about 3-6 months. If bone augmentation or a sinus lift was also done, healing takes longer.
How much does a dental implant hurt?
The implant is placed under local anaesthesia, so during the procedure you feel pressure. Afterwards the area may be tender and swollen for a few days, and the dentist tells you which painkiller to take.
Can an implant be placed straight after an extraction?
Yes, when there is no active infection and there is enough bone to hold the implant steady. The dentist decides after the CT scan.
Can I have an implant if I have gum disease?
Yes, once the gum disease has been treated and is kept under control. Your gums need to be healthy before the implant.
What can I eat after an implant?
For the first few days, soft, lukewarm food, chewed on the side away from the implant. The dentist gives you written instructions after the procedure.
Text reviewed by Dr. Rovana SocolovUpdated October 2026