The process of having dental implants can vary quite a lot, and our dentists will discuss this with you before the treatment.

Having dental implants typically involves several stages.

• Placement of the implant into your jaw and attachment of the abutment (which holds the false teeth in place) to the implant.
• Fusion of your new implant with the surrounding bone, which can take from six weeks to six months.
• Construction and fitting of your new artificial teeth onto your implants.

There are two other stages which may be involved in your dental implant treatment.

• Tooth extraction – if you have a problem with one of your teeth, the plan may be to remove it and replace it with an implant.
• Bone grafting – if you don’t have enough bone in your jaw to support your dental implant, your dentist can add new bone.

Implants are only suitable for those patients whose jawbone has stopped growing – in general adults with good general oral health. It is important to note that initial healing is restricted by habits such as heavy drinking or smoking which can lead to long-term gum and bone challenges. Therefore implant treatment can be restrictive if such habits are heavy.

At an initial consultation our dentist will assess the feasibility of providing implant treatment. If feasible, questions about medical history, examination of mouth, current state of teeth and xrays will be taken. Following from this detailed consultation optimal position for an implant, how many implants can be placed in the gap and the quality and volume of bone that is available will be identified.

The cost can vary, depending on the degree and extent of treatment required. The full cost is therefore explained and confirmed in a written treatment plan from your implant dentist.

Implant treatment usually requires a number of appointments over a period of months. In some cases, implant work can be completed in a much shorter period.

Patients are often surprised at how little discomfort they experience during and after implant procedures.

Once the implants and surrounding soft tissues are seen to be healthy and the new teeth comfortable and correctly adjusted, it is the quality of your personal attention to oral hygiene and willingness to attend regular maintenance reviews that will have most influence on how long they will last.

Well-maintained implants placed into adequate bone can be expected to last for many years and possibly for your lifetime.

Dental implants can be used to replace one or several missing teeth. All the common forms of tooth replacement, such as bridges or dentures can be supported by dental implants.