Treatments / Everyday dentistry
Dental Implants
An implant replaces the root of a missing tooth with a titanium post, and a crown is fitted on top once the bone has healed around it. Unlike a bridge, it does not need the teeth on either side to be cut down, which is the main reason it is usually the better long-term answer for a single missing tooth.
Who this is for
- A single tooth lost to decay, fracture or an old failed root canal
- Several missing teeth where a bridge would mean cutting healthy ones
- A denture that moves, where implants can anchor it
What actually happens
- Examination and a CBCT scan, so the bone is measured rather than estimated
- A written plan with the number of implants and what each stage involves
- Placement under local anaesthetic, usually a single appointment
- A healing period of roughly three to six months while bone integrates
- Impressions and fitting of the final crown