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