Deciding to replace a missing tooth with a dental implant is not something most people do on a whim. Usually, the idea sits in the back of the mind for a while. You might have noticed that you are chewing on one side more than the other, or that you avoid smiling in photos, or perhaps you are simply tired of a gap that never quite felt right. Whatever the reason, once people start asking about implants, the same thought tends to come up again and again: What actually happens during the process?
It might help to look at the journey step by step, not in complicated medical terms, but in a way that feels easy to follow and gives you a sense of how the whole thing unfolds.
The starting point is a simple discussion. You come into our Staines dental practice, talk about what is bothering you, and we will have a look around your mouth to see what the problem might be. Everyone’s story is a little different. Some people lost a tooth last month, while others lost theirs several years ago and have only now decided that they would like something more permanent than a denture.
We usually take a scan or X-ray at this stage as this shows us the shape and density of the bone. Implants need healthy bone tissue to be placed into, and this picture helps us decide what is possible and how we might approach it.
Once we know what is going on beneath the gums, we can make a plan and this is where people often relax a little. Many come in to our popular dentist in Staines expecting to be told that things are much more complicated than they imagined, but most are relieved to find that it is usually fairly straightforward.
The plan covers things like the type of implant, the angle it will be placed at, and how we intend to build the new tooth on top. None of this is rushed. Good planning is what makes the later stages calm and predictable.
When people think of dental implants, this is usually the stage that makes them a little nervous. However, most patients come out afterwards saying that it was far easier than they had expected. With the powerful local anaesthetics now available, the area becomes fully numb, and although you may be aware of some gentle pressure, it should not be painful.
The implant itself is a small titanium post. It is placed into the jawbone, and once it is secure, the gum is closed over or around it depending on the method we are using.
After the appointment, your mouth may feel a little tender, much like it does after a tooth has been taken out. Rest, and following the advice you receive at the Clarence Dental Practice will help a lot with this. Most people are back to their normal routines soon after.
This is the part that takes the longest but requires the least from you. The implant needs time to settle and bond with the bone (osseointegration). This natural process happens slowly and steadily, and you simply carry on with life while it does. There is no sensation of the implant ‘doing’ anything. It sits quietly while the bone strengthens around it.
Healing times vary, but a few months is quite normal and some patients almost forget the implant is there during this period.
Once the implant is secure, we can begin shaping the new tooth. This is the stage that starts to feel a bit exciting for many people, because it brings the focus onto appearance rather than the technical parts.
We take impressions or digital scans of the area so the laboratory can create a crown that matches your natural teeth. Shade matching is important, and we pay close attention to the finer details such as gloss and shape of the tooth.
When the crown is ready, we attach it to the implant using a small connecting piece known as an abutment. Once the crown is in place, most people find that it instantly feels like part of their mouth. It is often a pleasant surprise to bite down and realise that the stability is very similar to a natural tooth.
Long-term care is not complicated. Implants like a clean mouth and healthy gums. Brushing twice a day, cleaning between the teeth, and attending routine check-ups help prevent problems around the implant. When looked after, implants can last for many years and in many cases, for decades.
There is something very satisfying about replacing a missing tooth in a way that feels strong and reliable. Many patients say that having a fixed tooth again gives them confidence they did not realise they had lost. Eating feels more natural, social situations feel easier, and the mouth simply works better.
If you are considering dental implants, the most useful thing you can do is have a conversation with one of our Staines implant dentists and find out what your own mouth needs. People are often surprised at how manageable the whole process feels once it is explained in ordinary terms.
If you would like to start this process, or at least talk to us about it if you have any initial questions, why not contact us today? You can use the form on our website or call us on 01784 463 695.
Address: 21a Clarence Street, Staines upon Thames, Surrey, TW18 4SU
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