There are 5 main signs that you might need implants:

1. Missing teeth
2. Cracked or broken teeth
3. Problems eating or speaking
4. Infected tooth or teeth and
5. Facial changes

Read more about these 5 signs here.

Firstly, if you have lost several teeth or indeed all of your teeth, you may have experienced bone loss or resorption. If you therefore do not have sufficient jawbone to support dental implants, bone grafting can be carried out in order to build up a sufficient amount of bone for them.

In addition, a treatment called PRGF (protein rich growth factor) treatment creates a rich environment for improved bone regeneration and osteo-integration with the implant. Be aware though that you may have to wait several months for bone grafting to create new, strong bone to accept an implant.

Meanwhile, you can read more about bone grafting here.

A sinus lift is necessary when your upper jaw has insufficient bone height or your sinuses are too close to your jaw for dental implant therapy to be carried out. Subsequently, your mouth may not support dental implants as the bone is too thin. You can read further about the sinus lift procedure here.

You can indeed get a dental implant if:

• You have strong gums and sufficient bone in your jaw
• Your jawbone has reached full growth
• You don’t have any medical conditions that affect bone growth or healing
• You are willing to wait several months for the end results

Furthermore, your dentist will give you a full oral examination and take x-rays of your teeth and jaws to decide if a dental implant procedure is suitable for you.

Firstly, a dental implant (also called ‘tooth implant’) procedure can stretch over several months. Secondly, the procedure is as follows:

1. Bone Grafting

   If there has been any bone loss due to the missing tooth or missing teeth, bone grafting will be firstly carried out. This is done by introducing bone into the required area. The resulting bone acts as a scaffolding, thus causing more bone to regenerate around it. Also, it can take a few months for this to take place.

2. The Implant

   The dental surgeon will first give a local anaesthetic and maybe also sedation. A small hole is then drilled into the bone under the gum and the titanium implant is screwed in. The gum is then stitched up. The resulting implant mimics the root of the tooth and will hold the replacement tooth to be fitted. Lastly, a few months are required for the bone to fuse around the implant and fix it firmly in place.

3. The Abutement

   Once the bone and implant have fused, an abutment (the piece where the crown will eventually attach) is then fitted to the implant which extends above the gum line. Finally, when the gum heals around the abutment, the new tooth can be fixed on.

4. The Crown

   The new tooth or teeth are prepared by taking moulds of the existing teeth to get an idea of the size and shape of the crown(s). The colour of the crown(s) is/are also matched to the existing teeth.

In addition, you can read more about the dental implant procedure here.

After the process is completed, you may experience some temporary discomfort as follows:

• Gum and face swelling
• Pain around the implant
• Minor bleeding
• Bruised gums and skin

Your doctor will prescribe you with medication to treat these side-effects.

Your implant site will also need time to heal. To allow for this, you should avoid hard foods. Keep this up until your wound has healed.

The required aftercare involves brushing your teeth regularly and caring for your implants just as you would your natural teeth. Also, floss at least once a day and visit the dental hygienist twice per year. In addition, avoid excess caffeine, red wine and tobacco. Most importantly, hard foods such as boiled sweets can damage tooth implants and are best avoided.

You can review our dental implant prices here.

The short answer is Yes. However, this pain is usually easy to control with the use of local anaesthetic, antibiotics and pain killers. In the end, mild discomfort is what most people experience. However, the level of discomfort is highly subjective and depends on your overall health. The bottom line is that you should expect some pain. If your pain continues for longer than two weeks then it is time to seek further medical help.