What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a long-term solution for replacing missing teeth, providing both functional and aesthetic benefits. Implants consist of a titanium screw or post that is surgically placed into the jawbone. Over time, the jawbone heals around the implant, integrating it securely and providing a strong foundation for a replacement tooth.
Dental implants offer the advantage of replacing multiple teeth without affecting adjacent structures. They help maintain the integrity of your mouth and facial features by supporting the gums, cheeks, lips, and jawbone, thereby improving oral comfort and speech.
This is why dental implants should always be planned and placed by an experienced implant dentist, ensuring the highest level of training and expertise is applied to every case.
Components of a Dental Implant
Typically, dental implants consist of three main parts:
1. The Implant:
This is the titanium screw or post that is surgically placed into your jawbone and functions as the root of the missing tooth.
2. The Abutment:
This connector piece is attached to the implant and serves as an anchor for the replacement tooth.
3. The Crown or Bridge:
This is the visible part of the implant that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth.
How Is a Dental Implant Procedure Carried Out?
The dental implant process begins with a thorough evaluation by your dentist to determine the best approach for achieving your desired results. This assessment includes a CT scan to evaluate bone density and ensure that an implant can be securely placed.
Once you are deemed a suitable candidate, the implant is surgically placed into your jawbone. Over the next 3-4 months, the implant will fuse with the bone, creating a strong anchor for the new tooth. During this healing period, you may receive a temporary tooth to cover the implant site. In some cases, a second procedure is necessary to uncover the implant and attach a “healing cap.” This cap prepares the foundation for the final crown.
Once healing is complete, a custom-made replacement tooth, called a “crown,” is created in a specialised dental lab. This crown is then attached to the abutment, completing the restoration.
How Long Will My Results Last?
Because the titanium in the implants fuses with your jawbone, your implants will not slip, make noise, or cause bone damage as fixed bridgework or dentures might. Additionally, the materials used in dental implants do not decay like natural teeth. With regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene, your implants can last for many years, often a lifetime.
At our practice, we pride ourselves on a multidisciplinary approach. Our team includes periodontists, an implantologist, and a prosthodontist who work closely together to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients. Assessing your periodontal health before placing implants is essential for ensuring their long-term success and durability.
Am I a Suitable Candidate?
Dental implants are suitable for individuals of all ages who seek a permanent solution to missing teeth and prefer not to use dentures or temporary fixtures. There is no upper age limit for implants, provided you are committed to maintaining healthy teeth and gums and have sufficient healthy bone in your jaw. If you lack enough bone, it is still possible to undergo implant treatment with bone grafting procedures.
Common Reasons for Needing Dental Implants:
- Tooth loss and resulting misalignment
- Genetic conditions leading to defects
- Periodontal (gum) issues
- Failed previous dental treatments
- Lifestyle factors, including smoking
- Excessive tooth wear
- Trauma or injury
- Tooth decay
Benefits of Dental Implants
Losing a tooth can significantly impact your daily life, affecting aesthetics, comfort, and even your emotional well-being. Dental implants address these issues by providing:
Strength and Stability
Implants offer superior strength compared to dentures and bridges, functioning just like a healthy natural tooth once fully integrated.
Comfort
After a short adjustment period, implants feel natural and become a seamless part of your daily routine.
Bone Preservation
Implants prevent the bone loss that typically occurs when a tooth is missing, preserving the structure of your jaw.
Improved Oral Health
By restoring balance to your bite, implants enhance overall oral health.
When planned by an implant dentist at LPID, these benefits aren’t just possibilities — they reflect the level of care that comes with specialist treatment.
What Aftercare Is Required?
To ensure the longevity of your dental implants, it’s important to practise excellent oral hygiene:
- Daily Care: Keep your implants, artificial teeth, and gum tissue clean. Special brushes, like interdental brushes, can help reach areas that are difficult to clean with a standard toothbrush.
- Regular Dental Visits: Schedule regular check-ups to assess the health of your implant and attend four hygiene visits per year. Your dentist will provide a bespoke oral hygiene protocol tailored to your needs.
- Avoid Damaging Habits: Refrain from smoking, as it increases the risk of infection, gum disease, implant failure, and bone loss.
What If a Dental Implant Needs to Be Removed?
While dental implants have a very low rejection rate, certain factors can contribute to an implant failing:
- Insufficient Bone: If the implant does not properly integrate with the jawbone, it may need to be removed.
- Infection (Peri-Implantitis): Inflammation of the surrounding soft tissue and bone can lead to implant failure.
Signs of a Failing Dental Implant:
- Severe Pain or Discomfort: Some discomfort is normal during healing, but persistent, intense pain could indicate a problem.
- Gum Inflammation: Swelling and redness around the implant site, especially if accompanied by bleeding, should be checked immediately.
- Loose Implant: If the implant feels wobbly or unstable, it requires prompt evaluation.
- Difficulty Eating: If chewing or biting becomes challenging after the healing period, this could be a sign of an issue.
Treatment Options for a Failing Implant
Implants can be removed under local anaesthesia. If the surrounding bone is healthy, minimal intervention may be needed to address the problem. In cases where bone loss has occurred, a bone graft may be necessary before placing a new implant. Our team will conduct a thorough examination of your jawbone health to determine the best course of action for your situation.
Why Choose Our Implant Dentists in London?
Choosing the right implant dentist means more than finding someone who can place an implant — it means choosing a clinician who will assess your case thoroughly, plan for the long term, and manage complexity.
At London Periodontics, Implants & Dentistry, treatment is led by specialist implant dentists with international training and expertise in diagnosis, bone health, and long-term stability. For cases requiring a combined approach, our specialists in periodontics and prosthodontics work together under one roof, ensuring continuity of care from start to finish.
Every treatment plan is built around your oral health, your risk factors, and your future — not just the immediate result.