FAQ

Frequently ssked questions about treatments and procedures.

• Will I need to be treated in hospital?
• How long does treatment take?
• How long will an implant last?
• Will it be painful?
• What if I smoke?
• Will the implant look like natural teeth?
• Will I feel the implant under the gum?
• Can you help with my dentures?
• Will I have a gap during the treatment?
• What if there is not enough bone?
• Can an implant be used as an alternative to root canal treatment?
• Is there an age limit for when dental implants can be done?
• Can an implant be placed immediately into an extraction socket when a tooth is removed?

Will I need to be treated in hospital?

You will be treated by an experienced implant dentist in a normal dental chair. Nothing more is required

How long does treatment take?

Usually the surgery for a simple implant placement will take about 15 minutes. The entire treatment from assessment to finished implant can take as little as three months.

How long will an implant last?

As with everything else, the better they are looked after longer they will last. With good dental hygiene, check-ups and careful maintenance, implants can last a lifetime. However just like with a hip or knee replacement there is no absolute guarantee of this.

Will it be painful?

Local anaesthetic will ensure that you feel no discomfort at all during your implant placement and sedation is also available if requested (you must let us know in advance of your appointment if you want sedation). After the surgery has been completed, most patients are surprised by just how straightforward the whole procedure was.

What if I smoke?

Just as for any other type of surgery the success rate for implants is slightly lower in smokers. However we treat smokers all the time and the results are still excellent.

Will the implants look like natural teeth?

Yes. Factors such as the size, shape, and colour will all affect the final outcome and we will work with you to get the best possible results.

Will I feel the implant under the gum?

You will be completely unaware of the implant, just as you are unaware of the roots of your natural teeth. The implant crown that is above the gum will feel, look and function as one of your own teeth, except that it can never decay or develop root canal problems.

Can you help with my loose dentures?

Implants will allow your denture to be securely locked into your mouth, restoring your confidence when eating and talking.

Will I have a gap during the treatment

Your dignity is our first priority; we provide a number of options including transitional tooth replacement. Some patients don't even tell their partners!

What if there is not enough bone?

We have a great deal of expertise in this specialised area and provide a number of methods to augment any bone that has been lost

Can an implant be used as an alternative to root canal treatment?

Yes. Whilst root canal work can still be a great treatment option, many of our patients who have had both root canal procedures and implants say that they'll never have another root canal again and will just go straight to having an implant instead.

Is there an age limit for when dental implants can be done?

Yes, there is a lower age limit but not an upper one. Implants cannot be placed in children and adolescents until they have completely stopped growing - usually not before 18 years of age. At the other end of the scale however, there is no upper age limit for when implants can be placed and we have successfully treated very many patients in their 90s without any problems.

Can an implant be placed immediately into an extraction socket when a tooth is removed?

Provided that there is not too much infection or bone loss around the tooth that is to be removed, then an implant is often placed at the same time as the extraction. The main exception to this is for molar teeth where the hole left after removing the tooth is simply too large to safely place an implant and instead the socket is merely left to heal naturally for two months. After this time an implant can be safely placed.