An implant is not a quick fix. It is a surgical procedure, several months of healing, and a commitment to looking after it for the rest of your life. The clinics that explain this clearly before you book are usually the ones that deliver it well.
This guide covers what an implant actually is, the types available, what happens at each stage, what can go wrong, and what aftercare involves. If you are still deciding between an implant, a bridge, and a denture, start with our guide to choosing a missing-tooth replacement, then come back here for the clinical detail.
What a dental implant is
A dental implant is a titanium or ceramic post surgically placed into your jawbone to hold a replacement tooth. It acts as an artificial tooth root, giving a stable foundation for a fixed or removable replacement tooth designed to match your natural teeth.
The important word there is root. An implant is not a tooth on its own — it is the anchor a crown, bridge, or denture attaches to.
The two main types
Implants differ mainly in how they attach to the bone:
- Endosteal implants are the most common. They look like a screw, cylinder, or blade, are placed into the jawbone, and can hold one or several replacement teeth. This is the standard option, and the one most people are candidates for.
- Subperiosteal implants sit on top of the jawbone, with posts from a metal framework coming up through the gum to hold the replacement teeth. This is for people who cannot wear removable dentures, or who do not have enough bone for an endosteal implant.
The case for implants
- Eating is easier. Dentures can move around the mouth, which makes chewing difficult. Implants are fixed in the jaw, so you eat without the shifting and pain that often comes with removable plates.
- Speech is clearer. Loose dentures can cause mumbling or slurring. Implants stay put, so you speak normally.
- Comfort improves over time. Your gums and jawbone change shape as the extraction site heals, and they keep changing afterwards. An implant integrates with the jawbone rather than resting on top of your gums.
- Your other teeth stay untouched, and bone is protected. Unlike a bridge, an implant does not require the neighbouring teeth to be cut down. Unlike a denture, it does not rest on the gums. It also helps maintain the jawbone where the tooth was lost. For a full comparison of these trade-offs, see our guide to choosing a missing-tooth replacement.
- Appearance. The crown fitted over an implant is made to look like your own teeth, which restores a natural smile.
How long do they last?
Longevity depends almost entirely on your own oral hygiene and how consistently you attend check-ups. With good care, implants can last a lifetime. Treat that as the optimistic end of a range rather than a guarantee — a neglected implant can fail far earlier.
Who is a good candidate
You are likely to be a suitable candidate if:
- Your general and oral health are good.
- Your jawbone has finished growing.
- You have enough bone to hold the implant, or are able to have a bone graft.
- Your gum tissue is healthy, with no periodontal disease.
- You do not have a medical condition that affects your body's ability to heal or your bone's ability to integrate with the implant.
- You do not smoke.
- You are prepared to commit several months to the process.
That last point is the one clinics most often gloss over. Anyone who tells you an implant takes a single appointment is describing something that does not exist.
When implants are not appropriate
Implants are usually not recommended if:
- You are under 18 — the jaw is still growing.
- You smoke or use other tobacco products.
- You have significant bone loss in the jaw.
- You have poor oral hygiene.
- You have a high number of cavities.
- You have gum disease.
- You have certain medical conditions, including bone disorders, uncontrolled diabetes, and some autoimmune conditions.
Gum disease and smoking are the two that most often determine the outcome. Both are worth addressing before treatment starts, and a clinic that screens for neither is not screening properly.
For a patient-facing explanation of why these factors matter, and what to ask your dentist, see the section on when an implant may not work in our missing-tooth replacement guide.
What the procedure involves
What follows is the full clinical sequence. For a shorter overview and how it compares with bridges and dentures, see our guide to choosing a missing-tooth replacement.
Implant treatment usually requires one or more surgical procedures, and is performed in stages so that you can heal between them. The whole process commonly takes months, because the bone has to grow and heal around the implant before a replacement tooth can be attached.
Before you start
You need a full medical evaluation first, to confirm that nothing is likely to impair healing. This usually includes a comprehensive dental exam, X-rays of your teeth and jaw, and dental impressions or models of your teeth and jaw.
You may meet several specialists:
- An oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who treats conditions of the jaw, mouth, and face.
- A periodontist, a dentist who specialises in the gums and the bone that supports teeth.
- A prosthodontist, a dentist who designs and fits artificial teeth.
- An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, in some cases.
Before surgery, give your dentist a complete list of your medical conditions, medications, and supplements. This matters particularly if you take a blood-thinning medication. Some medicines may need to be stopped in advance, and that decision belongs to you and your doctor together — never stop a prescribed medicine on your own.
Some people with certain conditions, or with an orthopaedic implant such as a hip replacement, may be advised to take antibiotics before surgery to reduce infection risk. Take any medication your dentist prescribes.
You will also discuss sedation. The usual options are nitrous oxide ("laughing gas"), oral conscious sedation ("twilight sleep"), and intravenous (IV) sedation. If you are having oral or IV sedation, arrange for someone to drive you home.
The stages of treatment
- Removing the damaged tooth, if it still needs to come out.
- Bone grafting, if your jawbone is too thin or soft. Graft material may come from elsewhere in your own body or be a synthetic substitute, and it can take several months for enough new bone to grow to support an implant. In the upper back of the mouth, a sinus augmentation may be used instead — the sinus floor is raised to create bone height. This area often lacks bone because the maxillary sinuses sit directly above the back teeth.
- Placing the implant. Your gum is opened to expose the bone, a hole is drilled to the depth needed to hold the post, the post is placed, and the gum is stitched closed. If the gap would show when you talk or smile, you may be given a temporary removable denture to cover it in the meantime.
- Healing and bone growth. Your jawbone grows into and around the implant surface. This takes several months and is what gives the replacement tooth a solid new root.
- Placing the connector, called the abutment, which is what the replacement tooth attaches to. It may be placed at the same time as the implant so you avoid a second operation, or later, depending on which tooth is being replaced. The abutment sits above the gum line, so if it would be visible when you talk or smile, you may prefer a separate procedure for a better cosmetic result.
- Healing your gums — usually around two weeks before the replacement tooth can be fitted.
- Fitting the replacement tooth. You can generally choose a removable or a fixed option. Removable teeth resemble dentures but snap onto a metal frame attached to the abutment. Fixed teeth are screwed or cemented onto the abutment and are not removed for daily cleaning. In some cases, several replacement teeth can be joined as a bridge and supported by one implant and abutment.
Success rates
Success varies with your overall health and your habits. In people with good health and good oral hygiene, implants succeed in roughly 90–95% of cases.
That figure is worth reading carefully. It describes patients who already look after their teeth and attend check-ups. It is not a prediction for someone with untreated gum disease, a smoker, or someone who will not return for follow-up.
How much pain is involved
Because implant placement is surgery, some pain should be expected. However, most people report less pain and swelling after implant surgery than they had when their tooth was removed.
Pain and swelling after surgery are usually manageable with over-the-counter painkillers.
Possible complications
Experienced surgeons keep the risk low, but as with any surgery there are risks:
- Infection
- Sinus damage
- Nerve damage
- A poorly positioned implant that may not work in the long term
- Allergic reaction to the implant material — very rare
If swelling or pain does not improve, or gets worse, contact your surgeon rather than waiting for your next appointment.
Recovery
Recovery times vary, but most people return to normal activities within about three days. Immediately after surgery you can expect:
- Swelling and bruising of the gums and face
- Pain at the site of the implant
- Minor bleeding
Your dentist or surgeon may prescribe painkillers and antibiotics — take them as prescribed. Eat soft foods while your gums heal.
Your jawbone needs several months to heal and integrate with the implant. You will need follow-up visits during this time so your clinician can check that healing is progressing properly.
Looking after an implant in the long term
An implant needs the same care as your natural teeth: brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups. This is the part most likely to determine how long it lasts, and it is the part patients are most often not warned about.