Teeth Implants Fact Sheet

The objective

Teeth implants - or dental implantation - are a way of replacing missing teeth and recreating natural-looking teeth, rather than using dentures or bridges. The procedure involves creating a new root through placement of small titanium screws into the jawbone, with a natural tooth-coloured crown placed over the implant.

The procedure

The procedure is in two stages and the first can be carried out under local anaesthetic, taking up to one hour. A general anaesthetic may be used for more complex cases. The second stage appointment will usually be shorter and not require further anaesthetic.

A specially-trained dentist will anaesthetise the gum and jaw before making an incision into the space where the old tooth was. A titanium screw is inserted into the hole and the gum stitched over the implant. The stitches are removed about a week later. After the implant has had time to heal and ‘fuse’ with the jaw bone, taking 6-9 months, the new artificial tooth will be screwed or gently tapped into place over the implanted screw. In the period between, covering dentures can be worn until the implant is ready to accept the artificial tooth. Normally, 5-6 implants are used to replace all the teeth in one jaw; each implant can usually support two teeth.

An ‘immediate implant’ is where an implant is placed into the tooth socket directly after a tooth has been extracted, replacing the root of the natural teeth straight away.

The outcome

Following the procedure, your gums and jaw may ache and be sore for a few days. There may be some swelling.

If you have had local anaesthetic with sedative or a general anaesthetic you will need to have someone accompany you home afterwards. Depending on the extent of surgery you can normally return to work the next day and resume most activities within 24 hours.

After 3-9 months, natural-looking permanent teeth should be the result of this surgery.

The risks

All local and general anaesthesias carry associated risks, but there are few risks associated with dental implants. However, complications after surgery can include excessive bleeding, infection and problems with wound healing.

In the lower jaw the nerves may be bruised and can cause a tingling or numb feeling in your tongue, chin or lip. This is usually temporary, but in rare cases, can be permanent.

Very occasionally, an implant does not heal with the jaw and can become loose; it may need replacing after the jaw has healed.

Implants require a healthy and substantial jaw bone in order to be placed. Some patients may not be suitable candidates.

The costs

In the UK, expect to pay from around £1,950 per implant. Abroad, expect to pay from around £495 per implant (Hungary).

The availability

Dental implantation is a specialist procedure available privately in the UK and abroad at dentists specially trained to perform this procedure.

The popularity

Dental implants are an increasingly popular option for replacing missing teeth in patients who would prefer not to wear dentures or crowns or bridges, which may not be as long-lasting. Removable dentures and spaces where teeth should be are seen as unsightly by many and so implants can be a more cosmetically pleasing option, although may be expensive.