Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Dental Implants

Booking an Implant consultation will allow your dentist to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants.

During your consultation, your dentist will review your dental and medical history, take digital scans or x-rays and assess your jawbone density to determine if dental implants are appropriate for your needs.

Dental implants are a long-term solution for replacing missing teeth, but suitability depends on several factors. Common indicators that implants may be right for you include:

• One or more missing teeth
• Healthy gums
• Sufficient jawbone to support the implant
• Overall good oral and general health

Even if the amount or density is reduced, procedures like bone grafting can often prepare the jaw to support implants successfully. Your dentist will explain whether you need grafting and how it integrates with the implant treatment plan.

If you feel you would benefit from dental implants, we welcome you to book an appointment over the phone or online so we can give you the answers you need.

Proper home care is essential to ensure the longevity of dental implants. Treat your implants like natural teeth: 

• Brush twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush.
• Floss carefully around the implant.
• Consider using an interdental brush to clean hard-to-reach areas.
• Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash can also help prevent plaque buildup and gum inflammation.
• Avoid chewing hard foods or using your teeth as tools to protect your implants from unnecessary stress.
• Avoid smoking or vaping and keep your body healthy.

Regular dental check-ups are equally important. Professional cleanings allow your dentist to monitor the implant, surrounding gum tissue, and jawbone. 

We invite you to call us for your next appointment. 

Suitability depends on your overall mouth health

Dental implants can be a great option for replacing missing teeth, but not everyone is automatically suitable straight away. We need to assess your gums, bone levels, bite, medical history, and the condition of the neighbouring teeth.

Bone and gum health are important

Implants need healthy bone and gum support around them. If there has been bone loss, gum disease, infection, or long-term missing teeth, extra planning may be needed. In some cases, bone grafting or gum treatment may be recommended before implant placement.

Your systemic health is very important.

Certain medical conditions, medications, smoking, healing issues, or uncontrolled diabetes can affect implant healing and long-term success. This does not always mean implants are not possible, but it does mean the risks and timing need to be discussed carefully. Your dental implants will become a part of your body, and integrate with your bone- but in order for them to do that, the body needs to be healthy enough to accept them. Implants boast a very high success rate when we ensure that our foundation is happy and healthy.

The procedure is usually almost painless.

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable implant treatment is. The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, similar to other dental procedures, so the implant placement itself should not be painful.

Some soreness afterwards is normal

It is normal to have some tenderness, swelling, or bruising after the procedure, depending on the complexity of the treatment. For many straightforward implant cases, discomfort is quite manageable and settles over the following days. We typically suggest paracetamol and ibuprofen after implant placement, but we will prescribe medication according to your needs.

Comfort and planning matter

A careful plan helps make the appointment smoother. We also explain what to expect before and after treatment, including how to look after the area while it heals. Keeping the site clean with good oral hygiene helps ensure that the implant integrates into the body seamlessly.

A rough timeline

Simple implants can be placed in less than 3 months. More typically, we wait a few months for the implant to integrate into the body before we put the final restoration. Some patients with softer bone will take up to 9 months as we wait for the body to strengthen around the implant

It really depends on your individual case

The overall timeline depends on your starting point. Some cases are straightforward, while others need extra steps such as removing a tooth, allowing infection to heal, bone grafting, or improving gum health first. If you are younger <50 years old, it will be faster than someone who is 80 years old, but everyone gets to the same destination in the end.

Healing time is part of the process

After an implant is placed, it usually needs time to heal and integrate with the bone before the final tooth is attached. This healing period is important because it helps create a stable foundation for the crown, bridge, or denture that connects to the implant.

The final tooth is planned carefully

Once the implant is ready, the final tooth or teeth can be made to suit your bite, smile, and function. The aim is not just to fill a gap, but to create something comfortable, cleanable, and long-lasting. This is a critical difference that may mean the difference between something lasting 10 years or lasting 30 years.

Implants are designed as a long-term option

Dental implants can last many years when they are well planned, well-maintained, and placed in a healthy mouth. However, like natural teeth, they are not entirely set and forget.

Maintenance is essential

The gum and bone around an implant need to stay healthy. Inadequate cleaning, gum inflammation, smoking, uncontrolled grinding, an uneven bite, decay on nearby teeth, and missed maintenance visits can all affect the long-term success of implant treatment.

The crown may need maintenance over time

The implant fixture in the bone and the tooth attached to it are different parts. Even if the implant itself remains healthy, the crown, bridge, or denture attached to it may wear, chip, loosen, or need replacement over time. The good news is that with how we place our implants, the different components can typically be maintained or replaced without having to replace the entire implant.

Each option has different strengths

Often, implants are a better option than dentures and bridges statistically. Implants boast a much higher average longevity and success rate compared to bridges, but there are some instances where implants are not the preferred treatment. Dental implants, bridges, and dentures all replace missing teeth, but they work in different ways. The best option depends on your mouth, goals, budget, medical history, bone levels, and the teeth around the gap.

Implants can feel more fixed and natural

Dental implants are often chosen because they are fixed in place and do not rely on removable plates. They can also avoid the need to cut down healthy neighbouring teeth, which may be required for some bridge options.

Dentures and bridges may still be appropriate

Dentures can be a more affordable or less invasive option, and bridges can work very well in the right situation. In some cases, an implant may not be the best first option, especially if there is active gum disease, inadequate bone, high bite forces, or other risk factors.

The decision should be individual

We discuss the pros and cons of each option so patients can make an informed decision. The goal is to choose the treatment that gives the best balance of function, appearance, cleansability, longevity, and value for that individual patient.

Dental crowns need normal daily cleaning

A crown should be brushed like a natural tooth, especially around the gumline, where plaque can collect. Even though the crown material itself cannot decay, the tooth underneath can still be affected by decay or gum problems. Regular cleaning between the teeth with floss or a similar cleaning aid, plus regular brushing, is key.

Bridges need extra cleaning underneath

A bridge is joined together, so floss usually cannot pass straight down between the connected teeth. Special floss, interdental brushes, or a water flosser may be needed to clean underneath the bridge and around the supporting teeth. A water-spraying cleaning aid like a Waterpik/Waterfloss in conjunction with regular flossing is a great choice. 

Good hygiene protects the investment

Keeping the area clean helps reduce the risk of decay, gum inflammation, bad taste, bleeding gums, and significantly helps the long-term lifespan of the bridge or crown.