Treatments / Everyday dentistry
Dental Implants
An implant replaces the root of a missing tooth with a titanium post, and a crown is fitted on top once the bone has healed around it. Unlike a bridge, it does not need the teeth on either side to be cut down, which is the main reason it is usually the better long-term answer for a single missing tooth. Missing tooth replacement with an implant is planned from the bone upwards, not from the crown down.
Who this is for
- A single tooth lost to decay, fracture or an old failed root canal
- Several missing teeth where a bridge would mean cutting healthy ones
- A denture that moves, where implants can anchor it
What actually happens
- Examination and a CBCT scan, so the bone is measured rather than estimated
- A written plan with the number of implants and what each stage involves
- The implant surgery itself, under local anaesthetic, usually in a single appointment
- A healing period of roughly three to six months while bone integrates
- Impressions and fitting of the final crown
The implant first, then the tooth
Implant dentistry comes in two parts. The first is implant surgery: the titanium implant goes into the jaw bone. Where the scan shows too little bone, bone grafting or a sinus lift may be needed as well, sometimes at the same appointment and sometimes as a step before it.
The second part is the tooth you see. Once the implant has settled into the bone, an abutment is fitted to it, sometimes after a small procedure to uncover the implant, and a crown, bridge or denture is made to sit on top. Both parts are covered in one written plan, so you know what each stage involves before the first one starts.
Implant, bridge or denture?
All three replace missing teeth, but they suit different situations. An implant stands on its own in the jaw and leaves the teeth beside the gap alone. It does involve a minor surgical step and a few months of healing, and it needs enough bone and healthy gums.
A bridge is fixed and needs no surgery, and it is usually finished in a few weeks. It is held by the teeth either side of the gap, which are shaped for crowns. If those teeth already carry large fillings or old crowns, that matters less, and a bridge can be the sensible choice.
A denture is removable and the least invasive of the three. It is often the practical answer when several teeth are missing, and dental implants can be added later to hold it steadier. Which one fits you depends on your bone, your gums, the teeth next to the gap and what you want. We will go through the options that apply to you, including the ones without an implant.
What changes the cost
There is no single price for an implant, because the work around it differs from one person to the next. The main things that change it are how many implants you need, whether bone grafting or a sinus lift has to come first, what the implant will carry (a single crown, a bridge or a denture), the crown material, and the scans and any temporary tooth needed along the way.
That is why a firm figure comes only after we have examined you and seen the scan. Once we have, you get the cost in writing before anything starts, and you are under no obligation to go ahead.
When an implant may need to wait
Some things make it harder for an implant to settle into the bone, and may need to be addressed first. The common ones are diabetes that is not well controlled, heavy smoking, active gum disease and some medicines. Bring a list of everything you take to the first appointment.
Usually this means getting the diabetes under better control, cutting down or stopping smoking, or treating the gums before the implant goes in. Age on its own is rarely what decides it. Your general health and the bone matter more.
Whether and when to go ahead is decided after the examination and the scan.
If you are still deciding, what an implant actually involves walks through the stages, the healing time in the middle, and the risks worth knowing first.
Dr. Bhargav Kuchu, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon, places the implants himself, here at the clinic. The crown that goes on the implant is done by Dr. Shourya, our prosthodontist.
Implant treatment runs over several months, with a few short appointments along the way, so the clinic being reachable matters more than it does for a one-off visit. Ours is in Rai Durg, and here is how to find us from Gachibowli. The surgical part is done here rather than referred elsewhere.
Questions people ask
Is implant surgery painful?
It is done under local anaesthetic, so during it most people feel pressure rather than pain. Some swelling and soreness for a few days afterwards is common, and ordinary pain relief, taken as advised, usually manages it. If the pain or swelling is getting worse rather than better after a few days, or you have a fever, call the clinic.
What is a dental abutment?
It is the small connecting piece that joins the implant in the bone to the crown you see. It is usually fitted once the implant has healed, and the crown is made to fit onto it.
What are mini dental implants?
They are narrower than standard implants, and are used mainly to help steady a lower denture or where there is too little room for a standard one. They are not a substitute for a standard implant in every case. If you are curious about them, ask at the consultation.
How many visits does an implant need?
Several, spread over a few months: the consultation and scan, the placement, a check while it heals, and one or two visits for the crown. Grafting or a more complex case adds visits.
Can I still have an implant if the tooth was lost years ago?
Often, yes. Bone shrinks after a tooth is lost, so a site that has been empty for years is more likely to need grafting first, and the scan shows how much bone is left.
How do I look after an implant?
Much like a natural tooth: brush twice a day and clean between your teeth every day, using floss or small interdental brushes around the implant. An implant cannot decay, but the gum and bone around it can become inflamed in a similar way to gum disease, so regular check-ups and cleaning matter. If you grind your teeth at night, mention it, as a night guard may be suggested.
