Dental implants

Dental implants are the new standard in missing tooth replacement. Missing teeth are replaced without altering the healthy adjacent teeth.

What are dental implants ?

illustration comparing a real tooth and a dental implant and crown

A dental implant consists of a specially designed titanium rod which, once gently placed, bonds with healthy jaw bone to form a solid and permanent base to support one or more crowns or a denture.

Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, mimicking both the root and crown of a tooth.

Why choose dental implants ?

In addition to feeling and looking like your natural teeth, dental implants also act like natural teeth by stimulating jaw bone growth to prevent the bone loss which occurs over time when a missing tooth is not replaced. Opting for dental implants to replace missing teeth also means that, unlike other treatments, neighbouring healthy teeth are not compromised.

What are the options to replace a missing tooth ?

No treatment

Image showing how a missing tooth not replaced may lead to bone loss

visible gap
loss of chewing ability
accelerated bone loss

Crown or bridge

replacing a missing tooth with a bridge requires grinding down the adjacent teeth

healthy teeth need to be grinded down
bone loss continues
greater risk of cavities and tooth failure

Dental implant

full chewing ability
preserves healthy adjacent teeth
prevents bone loss

Implants can also be used to stabilise dentures. Find out more…

Frequently asked questions about dental implants

What does the implant treatment involve ?

The implant, made of a specially designed titanium alloy, is carefully placed in the gap left by your missing tooth and left to fuse with the bone for a period of 4 to 6 months. This healing process is referred to as “osseointegration” and this implant replaces the root of the natural tooth. Sometimes a temporary bridge or denture is placed on the implant during the period of healing.

Once we are satisfied that your implant has been fully integrated in the bone, a final crown is manufactured by a specialised dental laboratory to look exactly like a natural tooth. This crown is then secured to the implant to replace the missing tooth and restore full chewing ability.

How long does the implant procedure take ?

Is having a dental implant painful ?

Can everyone have a dental implant ?

The suitability of a dental implant is primarily influenced by how much existing bone is available in the jaw to secure the implant. As part of your initial assessment appointment we will take an X-ray to determine the best treatment option for you. We will also ask you for your medical history to assess any contraindications or risks of reduced treatment effectiveness.

In cases where there is insufficient jaw bone to properly secure your implant, we may be able to offer you bone grafting treatment in order to strengthen your natural jaw bone before placing an implant.

In any case you can be safe in the knowledge that we will only ever recommend an implant if, based on the medical information you provided and the condition of your jaw bone observed via x-rays, we feel that the chances of success are high.

How long will my implant last ?

We work in partnership with Biohorizons®, one of the leading international suppliers of dental implants. The crowns we use for dental implants are supplied in the UK by a leading dental laboratory.