Dental implants in Weybridge

What dental implants are

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium alloy. It is placed in the jawbone, where the bone gradually bonds to it. Once it has healed, the implant can hold a single crown, a bridge or a denture. At our Weybridge practice, dental implants are planned with a 3D CBCT scan and placed under local anaesthetic. Conscious sedation is available if you would like it.

Implants suit adults who have lost one or more teeth and want a fixed replacement that does not rely on the neighbouring teeth. You need healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implant. If bone is lacking, it can often be rebuilt first. Every implant plan is subject to a consultation and assessment.

Single tooth implants

A single tooth implant is the most common way to replace one missing tooth with something fixed. The implant replaces the root. A custom-made porcelain crown then sits on top and is shaped and coloured to match your other teeth.

The main advantage over a bridge is that the teeth on either side are left untouched. A bridge usually needs those teeth to be prepared, even when they are healthy. An implant also sits in the bone like a natural root, which helps preserve the bone where the tooth used to be.

Replacing several teeth or a full arch

Implants are not only for single gaps. Two or more implants can support a bridge to replace several teeth in a row. Where all the teeth in a jaw are missing or failing, a full arch of fixed teeth can be held on a small number of implants. Our All-on-4 page explains this approach. Implants can also be used to clip a removable denture firmly in place.

Planning with a 3D scan

Your treatment starts with a thorough examination. We then take a CBCT scan, a 3D x-ray that shows exactly how much bone is available. It also shows how close the implant site is to nerves, blood vessels and the sinus. This lets us plan the position of each implant before surgery.

If a tooth needs to come out first, we normally wait 6 to 12 weeks for the socket to heal before placing the implant. In a few cases the implant can be placed on the same day the tooth is removed. Our page on immediate dental implants explains when that may be possible.

Implant surgery

The implant is placed in the jawbone below the gum line. Surgery usually takes between one and two hours, depending on how many implants you need and the shape of your jaw. You should feel no pain during the surgery because the area is numbed. We can provide conscious sedation for more involved procedures. It is also available if you simply prefer it.

Once placed, the implant is either covered by the gum or left with a small smooth healing cap showing through it. It is then usually left without a tooth on it for around three months while the bone grows around its threads. In some cases a crown can be fitted straight after surgery. This depends on your bone and the stability of the implant.

If you do not have enough bone

Bone shrinks after a tooth is lost. Some people do not have enough bone at the implant site. In these cases bone grafting can rebuild the lost bone. In the upper back jaw an internal sinus lift may be needed to make room for the implant. The type of bone substitute we use depends on your case. We discuss it with you once we have the results of your CBCT scan. Grafting adds to the healing time.

Healing and fitting your new tooth

Some discomfort is normal once the anaesthetic wears off. You will be given clear instructions on any medication to take and how to look after the area. If bone grafting was carried out, you may have slightly more discomfort.

Simple cases usually take around three months to integrate with the bone. Grafted cases can take up to nine months. Eat soft food for the first week or two after each stage. While the implant is integrating, avoid hard crunchy food on that side.

When the implant has bonded to the bone, we take a digital scan so the laboratory can make your custom porcelain crown. At the next visit the crown is screwed or cemented onto the implant. From then on you can usually eat on it much as you would on a natural tooth.

Alternatives to dental implants

• A bridge is fixed in place and uses the teeth either side of a gap for support. Those teeth usually need to be prepared. Bridges are not suitable for long spans.
• A denture is removable. It needs to come out for cleaning and at night. Unlike an implant it does not help maintain the jawbone.
• Leaving the gap is also an option. Over time neighbouring teeth can drift and the bone can shrink, which may make later treatment harder.

We will explain the pros and cons of each option for your mouth so you can choose.

How much do dental implants cost?

Our fee list shows an implant at £2,950 and an implant crown at £1,650. Guided bone regeneration (bone graft) is from £650. An internal sinus lift is from £650. The total depends on how many implants you need, whether grafting is required and the type of tooth or teeth fitted on top. You will receive a written treatment plan with the full fee confirmed before treatment begins. See our fees page for the full list.

You may see implants advertised for less elsewhere. Our fees reflect the time we spend planning each case and the implant components we use. We use implant systems from established manufacturers, including Nobel Biocare.

We provide both NHS and private dental care. NHS implants are only available in limited circumstances. Please ask us about your situation. Online booking is for private appointments only.

How long do implants last?

Published studies report success rates of around 95% for dental implants. Results vary from person to person. Smoking, gum disease and how well the implant is cleaned all play a part. Implants need care much like natural teeth. They can still become infected. Infection of the bone around an implant can lead to bone loss and loss of the implant. Brush and clean around your implants daily. Keep up regular check-ups and hygienist visits so we can catch any problems early.

Who will treat you

Implant treatment at Post House Dental is provided by Bahader S Panesar, Principal Dentist, BDS (Cardiff), MSc Rest (UCL), Cert Implantology (UCL). Debjit Mukherjee, Associate Dentist, BDS (King's) BSc (Dist) PHCert (Dist), is also part of the implant team. Our practice uses surgical microscopes and hard and soft tissue lasers. The team is committed to postgraduate education. Read more in our articles on having dental implants and bridges vs implants.