How Do Dental Implants Work? A Simple Guide to Replacing Missing Teeth
If you're missing a tooth, you may have heard that a dental implant can replace it. But how does a dental implant actually work?
Where does the implant go? How does it stay in place? And how does a small metal implant eventually become a tooth you can smile and eat with?
These are good questions, especially if you're considering implant treatment for the first time.
In simple terms, a dental implant is placed into the jawbone to provide a stable foundation for a replacement tooth. Once it has healed, a new tooth can be attached on top.
But there is a little more to it than that.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a small post, usually made from titanium, which is placed into the jaw where a tooth is missing.
You can think of it as replacing the support that used to be provided by the root of your natural tooth.
The implant itself isn't normally the part you see when you smile.
A finished implant tooth usually has three main parts:
The implant – placed in the jawbone.
The abutment – a connecting component between the implant and replacement tooth.
The crown – the part designed to look like a tooth above the gum.
Implants can also be used in different ways. One implant may replace a single missing tooth, while several implants can be used to support a bridge or help stabilise dentures.
How does a dental implant stay in your jaw?
This is one of the most interesting parts of implant treatment.
After an implant is placed, the bone around it needs time to heal. During this process, the bone forms a close connection with the implant surface.
This process is called osseointegration.
It sounds complicated, but the principle is fairly simple: the implant becomes firmly supported by the surrounding bone.
That stable foundation is what allows an implant to support a replacement tooth.
Healing isn't instant, however. It takes time, and every patient is different. Your dentist will assess healing before moving on to the appropriate next stage.
What happens during the dental implant process?
Implant treatment usually happens in stages rather than everything being completed at one appointment.
1. Assessment and planning
The first stage is finding out whether dental implants are suitable for you.
Your dentist will examine your teeth, gums and mouth and assess the area where teeth are missing. X-rays and/or a 3D scan may also be required to assess your jawbone and help plan treatment.
Your general health, dental health and expectations are important too.
Not everybody is automatically suitable for implants, which is why this planning stage matters.
2. Placing the dental implant
If implant treatment is appropriate, the implant is placed into the jawbone during a surgical procedure.
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic. Depending on the patient and treatment being carried out, other options for managing dental anxiety may also be discussed.
The implant is then left to heal according to the treatment plan.
3. Allowing the implant to heal
Your body now needs to do some of the work.
Over time, the bone heals around the implant and helps create the stable foundation needed for the replacement tooth.
The amount of healing time required varies between patients and depends on the treatment being carried out.
4. Making your new tooth
Once the implant is ready, the restorative stage can begin.
For a single missing tooth, this usually means creating a crown that fits onto the implant via an abutment.
Careful planning of the shape, position and appearance of the new tooth helps it sit naturally within your smile.
Why might I need a bone graft before an implant?
Dental implants rely on having enough suitable bone to support them.
When a tooth has been missing for some time, the bone in that area can change. Some patients may therefore need additional treatment, such as bone grafting, before or alongside implant placement.
However, not everyone having an implant needs a bone graft.
Scans and careful assessment help your implant dentist understand the amount and quality of bone available and whether additional treatment may be needed.
Can dental implants replace more than one tooth?
Yes.
Implants aren't only used for single missing teeth.
Depending on your individual situation, implants may be used to support:
a single replacement tooth
several teeth using an implant-supported bridge
a larger bridge replacing many missing teeth
certain types of implant-retained dentures
This is why two people asking about "dental implants" may be given very different treatment plans.
The right option depends on factors such as how many teeth are missing, the condition of the remaining teeth and gums, available bone and what the patient hopes to achieve.
Do dental implants feel like real teeth?
A dental implant doesn't have the same nerves as a natural tooth, so it isn't identical to having your original tooth back.
However, because the replacement tooth is supported by an implant in the jaw rather than being a removable tooth that simply rests on the gums, many patients value the stability this can provide.
The appearance of the final tooth matters too.
For a single implant, the crown can be planned to work with the surrounding teeth in terms of its size, shape and shade.
How long do dental implants last?
This is another of the most searched questions about dental implants.
There isn't one guaranteed lifespan.
Implants can function for many years, but their long-term health depends on several factors. These include oral hygiene, gum health, smoking, general health and how well the implant is maintained.
The crown or other restoration attached to an implant may also need maintenance or replacement during its lifetime.
Implants still need brushing, professional care and regular dental checks. While the implant itself cannot develop tooth decay, the tissues around it still need to remain healthy.
Can dental implants fail?
Yes. As with any dental or surgical treatment, dental implants have risks and complications.
An implant may fail to integrate properly, and problems can also develop later. Gum and bone health around an implant are particularly important.
Smoking and certain health or dental factors can also affect treatment, which is why your individual risks should be discussed before you decide to proceed.
A responsible implant consultation isn't only about explaining the benefits. It's also about deciding whether implants are appropriate for you and understanding the alternatives.
Thinking about dental implants in Lytham St Annes?
If you're missing one tooth, several teeth or struggling with dentures, dental implants may be one option worth exploring.
But you don't need to decide for yourself which type of implant treatment you need.
At The Lytham Dental Clinic, your first step is an assessment. We can look at your teeth, gums and jaw, listen to what is bothering you and discuss the treatment options that may be suitable.
If implants are an appropriate option, we'll explain how the treatment would work in your particular case, the stages involved, expected timescales and costs before you decide whether you would like to proceed.
Because understanding what's going to happen is just as important as knowing what the finished result could look like.