Dental Implants
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Susie Zhang, General Dentist at Starlight Dental. BDS (King’s College London).
Implant-supported crowns
For a single missing tooth, an implant-supported crown replaces both the root and the visible tooth, without needing to alter the healthy teeth on either side the way a traditional bridge would. It’s fixed in place and cared for exactly like a natural tooth.
Implant-supported bridges
For several missing teeth in a row, an implant-supported bridge replaces the whole span without needing an implant at every gap, a stable, long-term option for people who don’t want a removable denture.
What’s involved
Treatment typically happens in stages: an assessment of your bone and gum health, placement of the implant itself, a healing period while it integrates with the bone, then fitting of the crown or bridge on top. Timelines vary by case, we’ll map yours out at your consultation.
FAQs
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With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, implants have high long-term success rates and can last for decades, though the crown on top may need replacing along the way. Smoking and gum disease are the big things that shorten their life.
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Possibly, bone grafting can rebuild the area first in many cases; we’ll assess this with a scan.
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It’s done under local anaesthetic, and most patients report less discomfort than they expected, manageable with standard pain relief afterwards.