Dental Implants
Permanent teeth that feel like your own
Missing teeth affecting your confidence or ability to eat properly? Dental implants replace the root and the tooth, giving you something that looks, feels, and functions like a real tooth.
Titanium posts surgically placed into your jawbone that fuse with the bone over time. They're as close to natural teeth as dental treatment can get. But they're not for everyone, and they're not quick.
Full process takes 4-6 months • Requires minor surgery
Implants, bridges, or dentures?
All three replace missing teeth. Implants cost more and take longer. So when does it make sense to choose them?
Implants usually make sense if:
- You want something permanent
Implants can last 20+ years, often a lifetime - You don't want neighboring teeth affected
Bridges require grinding down adjacent teeth, implants don't - You want to eat normally
Full chewing power, no food restrictions - You want to prevent bone loss
Missing teeth cause jawbone to shrink, implants prevent this - You have enough bone already
If not, bone grafting adds time and cost - You're willing to wait 4-6 months
And can afford the higher upfront cost
Alternatives might be better if:
- You need a quick solution
Bridges can be done in 2-3 weeks, dentures even faster - Cost is the main factor
Bridges and dentures cost significantly less - You're missing multiple teeth in a row
A bridge might be more practical and cost-effective - You don't want surgery
Implants require surgical placement and healing time - You have significant bone loss
Without grafting first, implants might not be viable - You smoke heavily
Reduces implant success rates significantly
The honest truth: Implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement, but they're not always necessary. Sometimes a bridge or denture makes more sense for your situation and budget.
"I'd been living with a gap for five years because dentures felt too old for me and bridges meant destroying two healthy teeth. The implant feels exactly like my real tooth. Worth every penny and every month of waiting."Robert M.
What dental implants actually are
A titanium post surgically placed into your jawbone that acts as an artificial root. Once it fuses with the bone, a crown is attached to replace the visible tooth.
We use implants to replace:
- Single missing tooth
Without affecting neighboring teeth - Multiple missing teeth
Several individual implants or an implant-supported bridge - All teeth in an arch
All-on-4 or All-on-6 implants for full arch replacement - Unstable dentures
Implants anchor dentures so they don't move
Why people choose implants:
- Feel and function like natural teeth
- Last 20+ years, often a lifetime
- Prevent bone loss in your jaw
- Don't affect adjacent teeth
- No slipping or clicking like dentures
- Look completely natural when done well
What you need to know:
Implants require minor surgery and a 3-4 month healing period before the crown can be fitted. You need enough jawbone to support the implant, which sometimes means bone grafting first (adding more time and cost). And if you're a heavy smoker, success rates drop significantly.
What happens during implant treatment
The full process takes 4-6 months from start to finish. Here's what to expect.
First visit: Check you're suitable
We take a 3D scan of your jaw to check you have enough bone for an implant. If you don't, we discuss bone grafting (which adds 3-6 months to the process). We also check your general health, as certain conditions affect success rates.
- 3D CBCT scan to assess bone volume and quality
- Check for gum disease or infection
- Discuss your medical history
- Explain realistic timeline and success likelihood
Takes about 45-60 minutes. If you need bone grafting, that would be scheduled first and the implant placed 3-6 months later once the graft has healed.
Second visit: Place the implant
Under local anaesthetic, we make a small opening in your gum and place the titanium implant into your jawbone. It's then stitched closed and left to heal. The procedure is usually less uncomfortable than patients expect.
"I was nervous about the surgery but Dr. Jandoo was so gentle and calm.
The anaesthetic meant I felt nothing. Bit sore for a few days after but
nothing paracetamol didn't handle."
— Helen K.
Takes 1-2 hours for a single implant. You can usually return to normal activities the next day, though your gum will be tender for a week. If the implant is in a visible area, we can fit a temporary denture while you heal.
Wait 3-4 months for the bone to fuse
This is called osseointegration. The titanium implant gradually fuses with your jawbone, creating a stable foundation for the crown. This can't be rushed. You just leave it alone and let it heal.
- Week 1-2: Gum healing, stitches removed
- Month 1-4: Bone gradually fuses with implant
- No appointments during this period, just healing
- You can eat normally on the other side of your mouth
This waiting period is why implants take so long. But it's essential for long-term success. Rush it and the implant can fail.
Third visit: Expose the implant and take impressions
After 3-4 months, we make a small opening in the gum to access the implant (it was buried under the gum while healing). We attach a healing cap and take impressions for your crown.
Takes about 30 minutes. Quick appointment under local anaesthetic. Your crown is then made in a lab over the next 2-3 weeks.
Fourth visit: Fit your permanent crown
The crown is attached to the implant. We check the fit, bite, and appearance. Once you're happy, it's permanently secured. You can eat on it the same day.
"My own mother couldn't tell which tooth was the implant. Looks and feels
exactly like my real teeth. The wait was frustrating but completely worth it."
— Patricia S.
Total timeline:
- Month 0: Consultation and planning
- Month 1: Implant placement surgery
- Months 2-4: Healing and bone fusion
- Month 5: Implant exposure and impressions
- Month 6: Crown fitted, treatment complete
If bone grafting is needed, add 3-6 months to the start. Total treatment time would be 9-12 months in that case.
What patients say about their implants
Real experiences from people who've had dental implants at West Dental.
"Lost a back molar years ago and finally got an implant. Honestly forgot which one it was within a few weeks because it feels identical to my real teeth. Should have done it sooner."— David T.
"The surgery was nothing like I feared. Bit of soreness for a few days but manageable. The hardest part was waiting months for it to heal, but now I have a tooth that's permanent."— Sarah L.
"Had a front tooth knocked out in my twenties. Wore a denture for years. Got an implant at 45 and wish I'd done it decades ago. Changed how I felt about smiling."— James K.
Questions people ask about implants
Everything you need to know before deciding if implants are right for you
The procedure itself isn't painful because you're numb from local anaesthetic. You'll feel pressure and movement but no pain during the surgery.
Afterwards, your gum will be sore for a few days, similar to having a tooth extracted. Most people manage fine with over-the-counter painkillers. The discomfort usually peaks on day 2-3 and then improves quickly.
The vast majority of patients say it was much easier than they expected. The anticipation is worse than the reality.
The titanium implant itself can last a lifetime if it fuses properly with your bone and you maintain good oral hygiene. Many implants placed 30+ years ago are still functioning perfectly.
The crown on top typically lasts 10-15 years before it might need replacing, similar to a regular crown on a natural tooth. But the implant itself stays in place, you just get a new crown fitted.
Success depends on not smoking, maintaining good oral hygiene, and attending regular dental checkups. Neglect your gums and the implant can fail, just like natural teeth can be lost to gum disease.
If you've been missing the tooth for years, your jawbone may have shrunk (this happens naturally when there's no root to stimulate the bone). In that case, you'd need bone grafting first.
Bone grafting involves placing grafting material where the bone has shrunk and waiting 3-6 months for it to integrate before the implant can be placed. This adds time and cost to the treatment.
The 3D scan at your consultation shows us exactly how much bone you have. We'll be upfront about whether grafting is needed and what that means for your timeline and cost.
Smoking significantly reduces implant success rates. Nicotine restricts blood flow, which impairs healing and makes it harder for the bone to fuse with the implant.
Light smokers (fewer than 5 cigarettes a day) have a slightly increased failure rate. Heavy smokers (10+ a day) have a much higher risk of the implant failing to integrate or being lost within a few years.
We'd strongly recommend quitting or at least stopping completely for a few weeks before surgery and during the healing period. If you're unwilling to quit, a bridge or denture might be a more reliable option for you.
When done well, implant crowns are indistinguishable from natural teeth. We match the color, shape, and size to your existing teeth, and because the implant sits in the gum the same way a natural root does, the gum line looks natural too.
Front teeth are more challenging than back teeth because they're visible when you smile. But with careful planning and quality lab work, the result should be seamless.
Most patients report that even they forget which tooth is the implant after a few months.
Yes. Once the implant has healed and the crown is fitted, you can eat anything you'd normally eat. The implant won't move or feel different from your natural teeth.
During the healing period (3-6 months), you'll need to avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. But once it's fully integrated, there are no restrictions.
Age alone isn't a barrier. We've successfully placed implants in patients in their 70s and 80s. What matters is your overall health and whether you're fit for a surgical procedure under local anaesthetic.
If you have uncontrolled diabetes, severe osteoporosis, or you're on certain medications (like bisphosphonates), that can affect whether implants are suitable. We'd assess this at your consultation.
A single implant, including the crown, typically costs between £2,500-£3,500 at West Dental, depending on complexity. If bone grafting is needed, that's an additional cost of around £500-£1,000.
This includes the surgical placement, healing time, the final crown, and all follow-up appointments.
We provide payment plans to spread the cost if needed. The consultation itself is £95 (which goes toward treatment if you proceed), and includes a 3D scan and full treatment plan with exact costs.
In healthy, non-smoking patients, implant success rates are around 95-98%. The implant either fuses with your bone (success) or it doesn't (failure). If it fails to fuse, it would be removed and you can try again a few months later.
Failures are most common in smokers, people with uncontrolled diabetes, or those with poor oral hygiene. In the right patient, implants are one of the most predictable dental procedures.
At West Dental, our success rate is consistent with industry standards, and we'll be honest with you if we think your individual risk of failure is higher than average.
Want to know if implants would work for you?
Book a consultation and we'll do a 3D scan to assess your bone. We'll explain honestly whether implants are suitable or if an alternative would work better for your situation.