We start each new dental implant journey with a patient consultation to make sure you understand your options and what the procedure will entail. We also want to make sure you’re a great candidate for dental implants.

The actual timeline depends on several factors, including the condition of your jawbone. When you decide to move forward, we approach each new procedure on a case-by-case basis.

In some cases, you may need bone grafting to support a successful dental implant. This is often the case when the jawbone is too soft or thin and may be unable to support the implant.

3D Xray of the site is taken

In order to place the implant a very careful assessment of the bone in 3-dimensions is completed. With this assessment we can see if there are nerves, arteries, other vital structures in the implant area. Your safety is an absolute priority so in order to prevent issues this is carefully assessed. We can then decide what size implant is suitable for you.

3D mould of your mouth is taken

The latest technology now allows us to scan your mouth with a very accurate 3-dimensional camera. There are no xrays with this scan. It simply allows us to form a 3D image of your mouth so that we can print out a surgical guide which is used in the actual surgery. These surgical guides are extremely accurate and allow for the safe placement of the implant. They control the depth and angle at which the implant is placed and so they reduce surgery time, are safer and allow for much higher success rates.

Before new crowns can be placed, we insert artificial “roots” where your new teeth will be. These roots are placed in your jawbone through a surgical procedure. As your jawbone heals, the roots will be firmly held in place. 

This is one reason dental implants are so powerful: they are very much like getting new, real teeth. Once healed, the titanium implants won’t make noise, slip, or cause bone damage.  

A simple single implant can be placed within 15-20 minutes through keyhole surgery with no pain. You will be given anaesthetic so that there is no pain. If you choose we can also organise an anaesthetist to come in and put you to sleep throughout the entire procedure. This is known as “sleep dentistry”.

Sometimes you can get the tooth on the same day, sometimes we need to leave the implant there for 3 months to heal. In the meantime you can have a temporary plate made so that you can have a tooth and not an empty space.

Patients can expect some swelling and some soreness after an implant is placed. Most of the times patients have neither swelling or pain. We usually review patients the following day and 1 week later. The vast majority of patients do not have any issues and are very happy with the process, healing and lack of pain or discomfort.

The part of the implant that shows is called the crown. This is the final part of the dental implant procedure. We custom make each crown to fit snugly and attractively in the intended space in your mouth. We also colour-match the crown to your existing teeth for a consistent, natural look. This final tooth can be made on the same day or may need to be sent to the lab who will take 2-3 weeks.

There are many variables in dental implant placement. Each patient, each implant site is very different. Careful planning is required in order to successfully and safely place your implant. The materials used are of very high quality in order to achieve a safely placed, accurate and aesthetic implant.