collaborative post | Losing a tooth is something most people would prefer to avoid, but it is surprisingly common. Teeth can be lost through decay, gum disease, injury or simply as a result of long-term wear and damage.
Photo by Peter Kasprzyk on Unsplash
For people with missing teeth, there are several ways to replace them. Dentures and bridges have been used for many years, while dental implants offer another option: replacing not only the visible tooth, but also the root that once supported it.
But what exactly is a dental implant, how does the treatment work, and what should you consider before deciding whether implants are right for you?
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a small fixture, usually made from titanium, which is placed into the jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root.
Once the implant has been placed, the bone gradually grows around it in a process known as osseointegration. This creates a stable foundation for a replacement tooth.
The visible replacement tooth is usually a crown. An intermediate component called an abutment connects the crown to the implant.
In simple terms, a completed dental implant consists of three main parts:
- The implant: the artificial tooth root positioned in the jawbone
- The abutment: the connector between the implant and crown
- The crown: the visible replacement tooth
The result is a fixed tooth replacement designed to look and function as naturally as possible.
Why replace a missing tooth?
A missing tooth is not necessarily just a cosmetic concern.
Depending on its location, a gap can affect how you bite and chew. The neighbouring teeth can also move into the space left by a missing tooth. In some cases, losing a tooth can contribute to changes in the surrounding bone over time.
That does not mean that every missing tooth needs to be replaced with an implant. The right approach depends on the individual circumstances, including the location of the missing tooth, the condition of the remaining teeth and gums, and the patient’s preferences.
This is one of the reasons a proper dental assessment is important before choosing a particular type of replacement.
How does dental implant treatment work?
Although implants are sometimes described as a quick solution to missing teeth, the process itself takes place over a period of time.
The first stage is assessment and treatment planning. This may include dental examinations, X-rays or a CT scan to assess the available bone and determine the position of important anatomical structures.
If an implant is considered suitable, it is placed into the jawbone during a surgical procedure.
The implant then needs time to heal and integrate with the surrounding bone. The information provided by Efficient Implants suggests that this process commonly takes around 6 to 8 weeks, although healing times can vary between individuals and treatment situations.
Once the implant has integrated sufficiently, the next stage is to create and fit the permanent restoration. An abutment is attached to the implant and a custom-made crown is fitted over it.
The important point is that implant treatment is not simply about the day the implant is placed. Planning, healing and the final restoration are all important parts of the process.
What happens while the implant is healing?
One of the most important aspects of implant treatment is allowing the implant to heal properly.
During this period, the implant needs to remain sufficiently stable while the surrounding bone integrates with it. Depending on the treatment plan, a protective component may be used and a temporary tooth may sometimes be provided.
The exact arrangements depend on the position of the implant and the patient’s circumstances.
This healing stage is also why some claims about having a completely new permanent tooth “in a day” need to be understood carefully.
What do “same-day implants” actually mean?
Terms such as same-day implants, immediate implants and same-day teeth can be confusing because they do not necessarily mean that the entire treatment is completed permanently in a single appointment.
An immediate implant generally means that an implant is placed at the same appointment as a tooth is removed. If a replacement tooth is attached at that stage, it is commonly a temporary restoration while the implant heals. Permanent teeth are generally fitted after the implant has integrated with the bone.
There can also be considerable planning involved before treatment takes place. For patients who need several teeth replaced, for example, the treatment may involve preparation of the remaining teeth, implant placement and temporary restorations.
For some people, this approach can be appropriate. For others, a more straightforward treatment involving one or two individual implants may be more suitable.
The important question is therefore not simply “Can I have teeth in a day?” but “What treatment is appropriate for my particular dental situation?”
Can dental implants replace several teeth?
Yes. Implants are not limited to replacing individual teeth.
Where several teeth are missing, a number of implants can be used to support a bridge. This can provide a fixed replacement for multiple missing teeth without requiring an individual implant for every tooth.
Implants can also be used to improve the stability of dentures. Implant-supported dentures remain removable, but the implants can provide a more secure attachment than a conventional denture.
The most suitable approach depends on factors such as how many teeth are missing, where they are located and the condition of the surrounding bone and gums.
Are dental implants suitable for everyone?
Dental implants can be an effective option for many people, but they are not suitable in every situation.
A dentist will normally assess the health of the gums, the condition of the remaining teeth and the amount and quality of bone available for implant placement. Other factors can also influence whether treatment is appropriate.
In some cases, additional treatment may be required before an implant can be placed. In others, an implant may not offer the best solution at all.
This is particularly important when considering heavily marketed treatments such as full-arch implants or “All-on-4” procedures. These can be valuable treatments for appropriately selected patients, but they are not necessarily the right answer for everyone.
Where natural teeth can be predictably retained, preserving them may be preferable to removing them simply to facilitate an implant-based treatment.
How much do dental implants cost?
The cost of implant treatment varies considerably depending on what is involved.
Replacing a single tooth is generally very different from replacing an entire arch of teeth, and additional procedures can increase the overall cost. Patients should therefore be cautious when comparing implant prices based solely on a headline figure.
It is worth finding out exactly what a quoted price includes. Does it cover the consultation and imaging? The implant itself? The abutment and crown? Temporary teeth? Follow-up appointments? Any additional procedures that might be required?
For example, Efficient Implants currently lists its consultation and CT scan separately from its £1,500 implant, abutment and crown package. It also notes that more complex cases may require additional appointments and standard private-practice pricing.
The cheapest advertised treatment is not necessarily the cheapest treatment overall if important stages or additional procedures are excluded.
What should you consider before choosing implants?
Dental implants are a significant dental treatment, so it is worth taking time to understand your options rather than making a decision based solely on appearance, speed or price.
A good consultation should give you a clear understanding of:
- Why the tooth is missing and whether it needs to be replaced
- The condition of your remaining teeth and gums
- Whether there is enough suitable bone for an implant
- What alternative treatments are available
- How long treatment is likely to take
- What the different stages will involve
- What the total cost is likely to be
- What maintenance will be required afterwards
It is also reasonable to ask what happens if circumstances change during treatment. Dental treatment rarely fits perfectly into a one-size-fits-all timetable, and a good treatment plan should allow for individual differences.
Dental implants are a treatment, not simply a product
The appeal of dental implants is understandable. They can provide a stable, fixed replacement for missing teeth and, when carefully planned and maintained, can form an important part of modern restorative dentistry.
But the implant itself is only one part of the process.
Successful treatment involves diagnosis, planning, surgery, healing, restoration and ongoing care. For that reason, choosing the right treatment is more important than simply choosing an implant package or looking for the quickest possible solution.
If you are considering dental implants, start with a thorough assessment and make sure you understand the alternatives. The best treatment is the one that is appropriate for your teeth, your oral health and your circumstances — not necessarily the one with the most impressive headline.