Implant Patient FAQs

Does it hurt?

Teeth are much harder and have a much better nerve supply than bone. Thus it is easier to make the mouth numb to do an implant than it is to do a filling or an extraction. Most implants these days are placed using local anaesthesia, although some dentists do offer treatment under sedation.

The mouth may be sore for a few days but heals rapidly (but see ###What is bone grafting below)

Do they last?

Implants placed by experienced dentists produce excellent long term results and have the potential to last indefinitely.

Do I need to see a specialist?

In the right hands implants provide a fantastic opportunity to replace missing teeth. Badly placed implants can produce a poor result and be very difficult to remove. It is essential that your dentist has adequate training and experience. Do not be afraid to ask your dentist how many implants they do.

There is no specialist list for implant dentistry. The General Dental Council requires that dentists have adequate training to place implants and very few dental schools teach undergraduates how to place implants. Further training is required and readily available for the dentists. Implantium has a direct link to a unique clinical training facility where dentists learn how to place implants in patients under supervision.

How much will it cost?

From "How implants work" you can see there are many stages. Some dentists give costs for the whole treatment and some break it down into parts. You are entitled to have an estimate at the beginning of treatment that shows the whole cost and if this is varied the changes given to you.

Many dental practices' websites do not show any costs. Since treatment vary then it is impossible to work out an exact cost without seeing a patient. However it is easy enough to put sample costs and these can serve as the basis for comparison. Those practices without any indication of cost on their website are likely to be more expensive.

However be careful that like is compared with like. Hidden costs such as x-rays, bone grafting models or even drugs can change the cost of treatment substantially. Be sure to ask what is not included.

It is difficult to shop around  but one way is to ask for a cost based on a simple single implant with a porcelain bonded to metal crown and no grafting but including all x-rays etc and use this as a basis for comparison with exactly the same thing from other practices. You will then have to factor in the experience of the dentist convenience and the service you receive.

From the information we have gathered typical costs seem to be in the order of £1700 to £2500 (Jan 2008) but with some variation outside of this.