What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium post that takes the place of the root of a missing tooth. It is placed into the jawbone, and once it has healed it carries a crown, a bridge or a denture on top.
That is the part that makes implants different from every other way of replacing a tooth. A bridge borrows support from the teeth either side; a denture rests on the gum. An implant stands on its own, in the place the original root used to occupy.
How dental implants work
Titanium has an unusual property: living bone will grow directly onto its surface and lock to it. That process is called osseointegration, and it is what turns a small metal post into a foundation strong enough to bite on.
It is not instant. The implant is placed, then left undisturbed for a period of healing — commonly a few months — while the bone integrates. Only then is the final crown, bridge or denture attached. The wait is the reason implant treatment is measured in months rather than weeks, and it is not a stage worth rushing.
Which implant option is right for you?
Implant treatment scales to the problem. Replacing a single tooth, several teeth in a row, or every tooth in an arch are three quite different plans, and the number of implants needed is rarely the same as the number of teeth being replaced.
- One missing tooth — a single implant supporting one crown
- Several missing teeth in a row — two or three implants supporting a bridge across the gap
- A whole arch — four or more implants carrying a fixed bridge, or securing a denture that clips firmly into place
Why patients choose implants
- They look and function like natural teeth, because they are anchored in bone rather than resting on gum
- The teeth either side are left alone — nothing has to be filed down to carry a bridge
- The jawbone keeps being loaded and stimulated, which slows the bone loss that follows a missing tooth
- Nothing is taken out at night and nothing moves while you eat or speak
- You clean them much as you clean your own teeth
- Properly maintained, they are designed to be a long-term answer rather than something replaced every few years
Your implant journey, step by step
1. Consultation and assessment
We look at the gap, the teeth around it and, crucially, the health of your gums. Implants are placed into bone and held by gum — both need to be in good order first, so any active gum disease or decay is treated before implant treatment is planned.
2. Imaging and planning
A 3D scan shows how much bone is available and exactly where the nerves and sinuses sit, so the position and angle of each implant can be planned before any surgery happens. This is also the stage at which we would know whether a bone graft is needed.
3. Placing the implant
The area is fully numbed with local anaesthetic. The implant is placed into the prepared site in the bone and a healing cap is fitted over it. Most people are surprised by how straightforward the appointment itself is — the anticipation is usually worse than the procedure.
4. Healing and integration
The bone fuses to the implant over the following months. During this time you will not be left with a gap on show — a temporary crown or an adapted denture covers the space while healing takes place.
5. Fitting your new teeth
Once integration is confirmed, the healing cap is replaced with an abutment — the connector that sits just above the gum — and your permanent crown, bridge or denture is fitted onto it.
6. Aftercare
Implants are reviewed at your regular check-ups and cleaned by the hygienist like the rest of your mouth. The gum around an implant can become inflamed if plaque is left on it, so the maintenance appointments matter more here than anywhere else.
Are dental implants right for me?
Most adults with healthy gums and enough bone are suitable. A few things change the picture, and we would rather tell you at the consultation than halfway through:
- Active gum disease must be treated and stabilised first — implants are not a way around it
- Where bone has been lost, a bone graft may be needed to build up the site before an implant can be placed
- Smoking measurably increases the risk of an implant failing, and we will talk about that honestly
- Uncontrolled diabetes and some medications affect healing, so we will want to know your medical history in full
- Implants are not usually placed until jaw growth has finished, so they are an adult treatment
Looking after your implants
Day to day, an implant is cleaned like a natural tooth: brushing twice a day, and cleaning between the teeth around it with floss or interdental brushes. Where an implant carries a bridge, we will show you how to clean underneath it.
Beyond that, keep your check-ups and hygiene appointments. The single biggest cause of long-term implant problems is plaque left around the gum margin, and that is exactly what those appointments catch.
Your implant options
Single tooth implants
One implant, one crown. The way to fill a single gap without touching the healthy teeth on either side of it.
Multiple tooth implants
Several teeth in a row replaced with an implant-supported bridge — you rarely need one implant per tooth.
All-on-4 implants
Fixed teeth, a confident smile and a new way to live — a full arch supported on four dental implants.
Implants are not the only way to replace a missing tooth, and they are not always the right one. Compare them with bridges and dentures.
Frequently asked questions
Does having a dental implant hurt?
The implant is placed under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during the appointment. Some tenderness and swelling for a few days afterwards is normal and is usually managed with over-the-counter pain relief.
How long does implant treatment take?
Most of the timeline is healing rather than appointments. The bone typically needs several months to fuse to the implant before the final crown, bridge or denture is fitted. We will give you a timeline specific to your case at the consultation.
How long do dental implants last?
Implants are designed as a long-term replacement, and with good cleaning and regular check-ups many last for decades. The crown or bridge on top is the part more likely to need attention over time.
How much do dental implants cost in Peterborough?
Implant treatment is quoted per case, because the number of implants, the restoration on top and any preparatory work all vary. You will be given a written, fully costed treatment plan before anything is booked. Call 01733 230066 to arrange a consultation.
Am I too old for dental implants?
There is no upper age limit. What matters is the health of your gums and the amount of bone available, not your age.
What if I have been told I do not have enough bone?
That is common where a tooth has been missing for a long time. A bone graft can often build the site up first, and in the lower jaw an angled, full-arch approach can sometimes use the denser bone at the front instead. A 3D scan tells us which applies to you.