Dental implant treatment

Treatment times will vary from patient to patient and will depend for instance on the need for treatment of other teeth.

Sequence of treatment

1. Diagnosis and treatment planning.

2. Treatment of any conditions present in the mouth.

3. Construction of provisional dentures or bridge to be used whilst the implant integrates within the bone.

4. Placement of implants.

5. Healing period of up to six months.

6. Uncovering of implant if buried.

7. Impressions and treatment to provide temporary and permanent restorations.

8. Reviewing and monitoring. Regular care is required for implants as it would be for natural teeth.

How long does treatment take?

For routine cases, from the time of implant placement to the time of placing the first teeth, treatment times can vary between 6 weeks and 6 months. The availability of better bone can be used to decrease treatment time, whilst more time and care must be taken with poorer bone, which can therefore extend treatment times beyond six months.

If there is no reason to shorten the duration of your treatment then be prepared to wait - nobody loses an implant from being patient and allowing time for healing. 

Can you wear teeth during the course of implant treatment?

If the teeth being replaced by dental implants are in a clearly visible part of your mouth it is most likely that you will want to have some teeth present whilst the treatment is underway

There are a number of ways that this can be done, ranging from simple plastic dentures to removable bridges. If replacement teeth are used during treatment stages it is important that they do not apply uncontrolled pressure to the underlying implants. You should expect to make a number of visits after the implants are placed and before they are brought into function, for small adjustments to any temporary teeth.

Comfort during treatment

It is important that you are comfortable during treatment. Implants can be readily placed with local anaesthetic.

Additionally we can offer intravenous sedation. This produces a relaxed state and time passes very quickly. Little is remembered about the procedure. We would be happy to discuss this with you. For more information visit the Dental Sedation page on our main website.

Since the surgery normally involves exposing the bone in the area where the implant and/or bone graft is to be placed you can expect some minor swelling and occasionally bruising afterwards.

For most patients, any of the simple painkillers you might take for a headache will be all that is needed for a few days.

Bone grafting

For some people where there is insufficient bone to hold an implant bone grafting may be necessary. We would discuss this with you fully.

Bone grafting can use your own bone or one of a number of substitutes. If bone grafting is required it will extend the treatment time. Sometimes grafting is carried out at the same time as implant placement. In case where this is not possible a period of six or more months healing may be required before implants can be placed.

Possible treatment sequences explained

One-stage implant - The implant is placed into a new, healing or healed extraction site and is visible above the gum immediately after placement. The advantage of this method is that a second surgical stage is not necessary to expose the implant. The implant will not normally be ready to support a tooth for several weeks or months.

Two-stage implant - The implant is placed into a new, healing or healed extraction site and then covered by a layer of gum so that it cannot be seen - this is the first stage. At the second stage some weeks or months later, the implant is uncovered and components added bringing it above the gum ready to begin placing a new tooth.

Same day implants - This technique is most often used to treat the lower jaw and requires considerable planning before the actual day of surgery. Several implants are installed and a few hours later a complete arch of temporary or permanent teeth can be fixed in place. If temporary teeth are used these will normally be replaced with a permanent bridge after a suitable healing interval. Not all patients are suitable for this style of treatment.

Immediate implant - For this technique a tooth is removed and an implant placed immediately into the extraction site. Depending upon the local bone and soft tissue conditions, the implant surgery may be a one- or two-stage procedure. Not all patients are suitable for this approach.

Immediate implant and early loading - This is distinctly different from an immediate implant placement. It is effectively a one-stage technique where the implant is placed into a new, healing or healed extraction site and is fitted with a new tooth at the same appointment. This first tooth will normally be kept out of direct contact with opposing teeth for a healing period of more than 3 months, after which it is finally restored. This technique tends to be more common in regions of the mouth where optimum aesthetics are important. Again, not all patients are suitable for this approach.