Restore
Dental implants, planned before they are placed
An implant replaces the root of a missing tooth so a crown can sit on top of it. Done well, it is quiet, stable and unremarkable — which is exactly the point.
Candidacy
Whether an implant suits you is a clinical question
These are general patterns rather than a diagnosis. Suitability is assessed at an examination with a 3D scan.
Usually suitable
- Healthy gums and reasonable bone volume at the site
- Stable general health and well-controlled long-term conditions
- A commitment to cleaning around the implant and attending reviews
Needs more planning
- Reduced bone height, which may need grafting before placement
- Untreated gum disease, which is treated first
- Heavy grinding, which changes the design and adds a night guard
Often not the right answer
- Active infection or uncontrolled periodontal disease
- Smoking that the patient does not wish to reduce, which raises failure risk
- Situations where a bridge, denture or simply monitoring serves you better
Process
The sequence, start to finish
Select a stage to see what happens and roughly how long it takes.
Step 01
Consultation and 3D scan
Week 0 · 60 minutes
We review your medical history, examine the site and take a cone-beam scan. You see the bone on screen and we discuss whether an implant is appropriate, and what the alternatives are.
Indicative timings for a straightforward case. Your own sequence is set out in writing after examination.
Recovery
What the days afterwards realistically look like
- Day 1–3. Some swelling and tenderness is normal. Cold packs, soft food and ordinary pain relief are usually enough. Most people work as normal.
- Week 1. Gentle cleaning around the site with the technique we demonstrate, and a review appointment to check healing.
- Months 1–5. Integration. A temporary tooth is provided where appearance matters, and you eat normally on the other side.
- After the crown. Treat it like a natural tooth: brush, clean between, and attend annual implant reviews.
Recovery varies. Complications, though uncommon, include infection, delayed healing, nerve irritation and implant failure. These are discussed individually before consent.
Questions
Implant questions we answer every week
Spreading the cost
Implant plans can often be staged or financed monthly. The estimate is written down before treatment begins and does not change mid-course without discussion.