A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth with a titanium fixture placed in the jawbone. Once the bone has accepted it, the implant supports a crown, a bridge or a denture. It is the closest thing dentistry has to replacing a tooth rather than simply covering a gap.
What an implant actually is
The implant itself is a small screw-shaped fixture. It is not visible once treatment is complete; what you see is the crown attached on top. The biological principle behind it is osseointegration — bone grows directly against the titanium surface, locking the fixture in place. That process takes time, which is why implant treatment is staged rather than completed in a single visit.
Am I suitable for an implant?
Most adults with a missing tooth and healthy gums can be considered. The factors that matter are:
- Bone volume — enough bone to hold the fixture, or a plan to graft bone first
- Gum health — active gum disease needs treating before implant surgery
- General health — uncontrolled diabetes, some medications and smoking affect healing
- Bite and neighbouring teeth — an implant has to fit into a functioning bite, not just a gap
Smoking is the single most modifiable risk factor. It does not automatically rule out treatment, but it does change the risk of failure and should be discussed openly.
The stages of treatment
- Assessment — examination, photographs and usually a CBCT scan to measure bone
- Planning — deciding position, angle and whether grafting is needed
- Placement — a short surgical appointment under local anaesthetic
- Healing — several months for the bone to integrate, during which a temporary tooth may be worn
- Restoration — an impression or scan, then the final crown or bridge is fitted
Timelines vary. Some cases can be restored sooner, and immediate placement after extraction is possible in selected situations, but the safe general answer is that implants take months, not weeks.
Single tooth, several teeth, or a full arch
A single implant with a crown is the simplest use. Several missing teeth can be replaced with an implant-supported bridge, avoiding a denture. A full arch can be supported by a small number of implants — the treatment often marketed as All-on-4 or All-on-6. Each option has different surgical and maintenance demands, and the cheapest headline price is rarely the full cost of the case.
Implant, bridge or denture?
Each replaces a missing tooth in a different way:
- Implant — independent of neighbouring teeth, preserves bone, needs surgery and time, highest initial cost
- Bridge — supported by the teeth either side, which usually have to be prepared; faster and cheaper, but those teeth take the load. See dental bridges
- Denture — removable, least invasive, lowest cost, but movement and maintenance are part of life with one. See implant-retained dentures if you want more stability
The right choice depends on the health of the neighbouring teeth, bone volume and how much you value avoiding work on healthy teeth.
How long do implants last?
Implant fixtures themselves often last many years, and some last decades. The part that fails more often is the crown on top, or the surrounding gums and bone if hygiene slips. Implants do not decay, but they can develop peri-implantitis — an inflammatory condition around the fixture — which is why regular maintenance appointments matter as much as the surgery itself.
What it costs in London
Implant pricing is usually split into the surgical placement and the restoration. At ēm dental, implant placement starts from £1550, and the implant crown from £1250. Where bone grafting or a sinus lift is needed, that is quoted separately. The full current list is on our treatment price list.
Ask any clinic what the quote includes: scan, placement, temporary tooth, final crown and reviews are not always bundled.
Caring for an implant
- Clean around the implant as carefully as around a natural tooth, including between the teeth
- Attend regular hygiene appointments — implant maintenance is not the same as a standard clean
- Do not use the implant as an anchor for anything except its restoration
- Report looseness, bleeding or discomfort early
Next step
If you are missing a tooth and want to know whether an implant, a bridge or a denture is the sensible option for you, an assessment with a scan is the only way to get a real answer. You can book a consultation at our W2 clinic.
Frequently asked questions
Is implant surgery painful?
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during it. Afterwards, swelling and tenderness for a few days are normal and manageable with ordinary pain relief.
How long does the whole process take?
Commonly several months from placement to final crown, because the bone needs time to integrate. Grafting, if required, adds time before placement.
Can I have an implant if I smoke?
Often yes, but smoking increases the risk of failure and of problems during healing. Your dentist will discuss this honestly rather than simply proceeding.
Do implants need special cleaning?
They need careful cleaning and professional maintenance, but no special equipment at home. Interdental brushes and regular hygiene visits do most of the work.
What happens if an implant fails?
Failure is uncommon but possible. The fixture can usually be removed, the site allowed to heal, and in many cases a new implant placed later.
This article is general information about dental treatment and is not a substitute for clinical advice. For advice about your own teeth, book a consultation at our W2 clinic.