Dental Implants

Dental implants are a way to replace one or more missing teeth.

1. What is a dental implant?

An implant is a small post about the size of a natural tooth root, made of titanium — a material that is highly biocompatible with bone. It is placed in the jawbone where the tooth is missing to act as an artificial root, and the dentist then attaches a crown on top to replace the lost tooth.

Implants are recommended when

• You want a fixed replacement tooth without grinding down the healthy neighbouring teeth.
• You do not want a removable denture, or the remaining teeth are not strong enough to support a bridge — especially when several teeth are missing.
• You want to replace a tooth while limiting bone loss in the area where it was lost.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy.
• Uncontrolled diabetes.
• Jawbone that has not finished growing (usually under 17 years of age).
• Active infection in the area where the implant is planned.

Cases that need careful assessment

• Chronic conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure.
• Poor oral hygiene.
• Inability to follow the treatment and follow-up schedule.
• Heavy drinking or smoking.
• Previous radiotherapy to the jaw.

2. Benefits of implants

• Natural appearance: the crown is matched to your own teeth in colour, shine, shape and size.
• Chewing ability close to natural teeth, with few food restrictions.
• Titanium is biocompatible, does not corrode and bonds with bone; with proper care an implant can last for many years.
• Prevents the consequences of long-term tooth loss, such as jawbone loss, gum recession and shifting of neighbouring teeth.

3. The implant procedure

1. Examination and planning: the dentist examines you, takes a CT scan to assess the bone, orders any necessary tests and recommends a suitable implant.
2. Preparation: a general health check and professional cleaning to reduce the risk of infection.
3. Surgical placement of the implant.
4. Follow-up: after about 7–10 days, once the gum has healed, the dentist checks the surgical site.
5. Crown placement: once the implant has firmly bonded with the bone, the dentist attaches the crown.

If the jawbone is too thin or has shrunk after years of tooth loss, a bone graft may be needed before the implant is placed so that it can integrate securely — using either the patient's own bone or a bone substitute.

4. Things to know

Before implant surgery

• Tell the dentist about your health, medical conditions and all medications you take.
• If you take blood thinners: do not stop them on your own. Any change must be decided by your dentist together with your treating physician.
• Eat well, rest, and avoid alcohol and other stimulants.
• Complete all tests you have been asked to do.
• If the surgery is done under local anaesthesia, a light meal beforehand is fine; under general anaesthesia, follow the fasting instructions you are given (usually 8–12 hours).

After implant surgery

• Good oral hygiene is the single most important factor in how long an implant lasts.
• Avoid biting or chewing hard objects.
• See the dentist immediately if the tooth feels loose, or you notice numbness in the jaw or pain at the implant site.
• Have a check-up every 6 months.

Placing an implant usually takes 20–30 minutes per tooth. The implant then needs time to bond with the bone — typically 2–6 months depending on your body, bone quality and implant type — before the crown is fitted.

Implant treatment is a complex procedure and should be carried out by a qualified dentist at a reputable clinic.