Dental implants are becoming more and more commonplace.
We are often asked about the process and what is involved, not just the costs, but the timeframes commitment required.
Dental implants are a long-lasting and natural-looking option for replacing missing teeth. If you are considering a dental implant, understanding the process can help ease any concerns you may have.
The first stage is to plan the implant process, set out the steps, complications and likely outcomes.
The gum, bone, underlying factors such as gum disease, the bite, and other aspects, need to be carefully assessed for the dentist to understand what is required to place a successful implant.
There are a multitude of different sizes and shapes of implants and we have to choose the appropriate one.
There may be complicating factors that need to be addressed first, such as gum disease or extensive bone loss.
This step usually involves:
A dental examination
Digital X-rays or a CT scan to assess bone density
Discussion of your medical history and any underlying conditions
A tailored treatment plan outlining the procedure, costs, and timeline
In some cases, patients may require additional treatments before the implant placement:
Tooth Extraction – If the tooth due to be replaced is still present, it will need to be removed.
Bone Grafting – If there is not enough bone present to put the implant into, a bone graft may be necessary to create a stable foundation for the implant. This may include a sinus lift.
Gum Disease Treatment – If the gums are inflamed, they must be treated before implant surgery to help attain a successful outcome.
Provision of a temporary tooth - particularly when the tooth due to be replaced is in the aesthetic zone, a temporary replacement tooth will be needed, but there may be several reasons driven by the patient or the dentist, to have a temporary replacement tooth. In some cases, no temporary replacement tooth is provided.
Once there is no gum disease, underlying factors have been addressed and the site (or sites) are in a condition suitable for an implant to be placed, the appointment for the procedure will be arranged.
The implant is placed during a minor surgical procedure under local anaesthetic, with or without sedation as per the patient’s wishes:
A small incision is made in the gum to expose the jawbone.
A hole is carefully drilled, and a titanium implant screw is inserted.
The gum is stitched back over the implant to allow for healing.
The entire procedure usually takes 1-2 hours, and most patients experience minimal discomfort due to modern techniques and anaesthesia.
Platelet rich fibrin may be used - platelets spun from a small amount of the patient’s blood, which aid healing and can be used to make custom membranes. Bone grafting or small sinus lifts may also be planned for the implant placement stage.
Over the next 3 to 9 months, the implant undergoes a process called osseointegration, where it fuses with the jawbone. This integration ensures the implant becomes a strong and permanent anchor for the replacement tooth.
Up to the first six weeks, the implant is at its weakest, and thereafter the integration process will gather pace and the implant will be better and better anchored in the bone.
During this period:
A temporary tooth may be provided for aesthetic purposes.
You’ll need to follow a soft-food diet and maintain good oral hygiene.
Regular check-ups will be scheduled to monitor progress.
X-rays will be taken periodically
Once the implant has fused with the bone, a small abutment (connector) is attached to the implant. This step requires a minor procedure under local anaesthetic, where:
The gum is reopened to expose the implant.
The abutment is securely placed onto the implant.
The gum is left to heal for 1-2 weeks before the final crown is fitted.
In some cases this is not required.
After the gum has healed around the abutment, a custom-made crown is placed to match your natural teeth in shape, size, and colour. This is the final step in restoring your smile.
The crown can be:
It is generally accepted that screw-retained crowns are more desirable as they allow easier maintenance of the crown and the implant, and there is less irritation to the gum.
The screw-retained crown will have an access hole for the screw that is sometimes visible.
The cement-retained crown may have slightly better aesthetics.
With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime, but they will need regular maintenance, and some of the components may need to be changed..
To maintain your implant, follow these guidelines:
Brush twice daily, floss, and use interdental brushes daily.
Attend routine dental check-ups and professional hygiene appointments, usually every 3 months
Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, as they can impact healing.
Protect your teeth from grinding or trauma with a night guard if necessary.
This is meant to be a basic guide to the provision of an implant and an implant crown. There are many variations that are circumstance dependent.
For more information, please contact one of our team - you can call (02083489995) or email at info@pondsquaredental.co.uk.
Vatche Kassardjian - Specialist in Prosthodontics
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