Dental Implants

The procedure itself shouldn’t hurt. We always use local anaesthetic for implant surgery, so the area is completely numb during treatment. If you’re nervous, we can arrange sedation so you feel calm and relaxed.

Afterwards, it’s normal to feel some tenderness or mild swelling as the gum and bone heal. Paracetamol or ibuprofen usually relieves this, and it should fade within a few days.

Most patients have their final tooth fitted 3–6 months after the implant is placed. This healing time is essential, because it allows the bone to fuse securely with the implant. Treatment can take longer if you need a bone graft first.

The implant placement itself takes around 60 to 90 minutes, or longer if several implants are being placed.

In some cases, an immediate implant can be placed at the same appointment as your tooth is removed, which shortens the overall treatment time. It isn’t suitable for everyone, as it depends on the health of the bone and gum around the tooth. Your dentist will talk you through the pros and cons.

You may still be able to have an implant. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that area gradually shrinks because there’s no longer a root to stimulate it. This is especially common in people who have worn dentures for many years.

We can often rebuild lost bone with a bone graft before or at the same time as placing the implant. If the missing tooth is in the upper back jaw, where the sinus sits close to the bone, a procedure called a sinus lift may be used to create more space. Your X-rays will show us whether you need either, and we’ll explain the options and costs at your consultation.

Yes. It’s important to keep up with your routine dental care during the treatment. The healthier your teeth and gums are, the faster you’ll recover without any issues. It’s crucial to keep your healing implant safe from bacteria so it has the best chance of being strong and successful.

With good care, a dental implant can last for many years, often decades. Because the implant bonds directly to the jawbone, it tends to outlast other ways of replacing teeth, such as bridges and dentures.

The crown on top may eventually need replacing due to everyday wear, typically after 10–15 years. Implants can’t decay, but the gum and bone around them can still be affected by gum disease. Brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth and seeing the hygienist regularly will help your implant last as long as possible.

No one is too old for implants. What matters more is your general health and the amount of bone in your jaw, and bone can often be rebuilt with grafting if needed. It’s never too late to enjoy a secure, comfortable set of teeth, and many older patients choose to replace loose dentures with implants or implant-retained dentures.

For many people, implants are the most secure long-term way to replace missing teeth. Unlike removable dentures, they help prevent the gradual bone loss that happens after teeth are lost, which is why dentures often need adjusting over time as they become loose or sore.

If you have a single missing tooth, it’s worth replacing it sooner rather than later. Neighbouring teeth can slowly drift into the gap, which may affect your bite and lead to tooth wear or jaw discomfort. An implant fills the gap without needing to file down the healthy teeth on either side, as a bridge would.

At Eccleshill Dental, a single dental implant costs from £2,095, the same price for members and private patients. The final cost depends on how many teeth you’re replacing, whether you need a bone graft, the position of the tooth and whether you choose sedation. You’ll receive a written, itemised quote after your consultation, before any treatment begins.

For most people, no. In England, NHS-funded implants are usually limited to patients with a specific clinical need, such as after mouth cancer treatment, a serious facial injury, or teeth missing from birth. These cases are treated through hospital referral. For routine tooth loss, the NHS offers dentures and bridges, so implants are usually a private treatment.

Often, yes, but both can affect healing. Smoking increases the risk of an implant failing, so we strongly recommend stopping before and after treatment. Well-controlled diabetes isn’t usually a barrier. Please also tell us if you grind your teeth, take medication for osteoporosis, or have had radiotherapy to the head or neck, as these can affect your treatment plan.

Implants are usually placed once the jaw has finished growing, which is typically from around 18. Before that, we can discuss temporary options for replacing a missing tooth.

Dental implants have a high success rate when placed in healthy bone and looked after well. As with any minor surgery, there are some risks, including infection, swelling and, rarely, nerve irritation or an implant that doesn’t fuse with the bone. Over the long term, the main risk is peri-implantitis, an infection of the gum and bone around the implant caused by plaque build-up. We’ll explain your individual risks at your consultation.

Stick to soft foods such as soup, yoghurt, eggs and pasta for the first few days, and avoid chewing directly on the implant site. Avoid very hot food and drinks, alcohol and smoking for at least 48 hours. Once your final crown is fitted, you can eat normally, just as you would with a natural tooth.

Both replace a missing tooth, but they work differently. A bridge relies on the teeth either side of the gap, which need to be filed down to support it. An implant stands on its own in the jawbone, leaving your healthy teeth untouched and helping to prevent bone loss. Bridges cost less upfront, so we’ll talk you through both options and their prices at your consultation.