A dental implant is a small titanium post placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Once the implant has integrated with the bone and healed, a custom-made crown can be fitted on top to restore the appearance and function of the missing tooth.
For many patients, the complete implant journey can take around three to nine months, depending on healing time, the condition of the bone and gums, and whether additional treatment is needed beforehand. During a consultation at iCare Dental, your dentist can assess your circumstances and explain whether dental implants are suitable for you.
Implant dentistry has become increasingly common, and patients across East London have a wide choice of practices, from Stratford and Canary Wharf to the Royal Docks. Comparing options can be difficult because two quotes for a dental implant may not include the same procedures, materials or stages of treatment. Ask each clinic for a written plan so you can compare like with like.
How does dental implant treatment work?
- Consultation and planning. An examination, X-rays and usually a 3D (CBCT) scan to measure the height and width of the bone and map nerves and sinuses.
- Any extractions or gum treatment, and a bone graft if there is not enough bone to hold the implant securely.
- The implant is placed under local anaesthetic. For a single tooth this often takes around an hour, although the exact procedure depends on the case.
- Over the following months the bone fuses with the implant surface, a process called osseointegration. Three to six months is common. You may wear a temporary tooth in the meantime.
- The final tooth. A connector called an abutment and a crown are fitted. Implants can also support bridges or hold a denture firmly in place.
- Regular reviews and hygiene visits help you look after the implant and the gum and bone around it over the long term.
10 questions to ask before you commit
1. Who will place the implant, and how much implant work do they do?
Every dentist in the UK must be on the General Dental Council register, which you can search online. Some are also on the GDC specialist lists, but many experienced implant dentists are not specialists and have postgraduate implant training instead. It is entirely reasonable to ask about their experience, training and the type of cases they regularly manage.
2. Will I have a 3D scan?
A standard X-ray shows the bone in two dimensions, while a CBCT scan provides a three-dimensional view. This can help the clinician assess bone volume and the position of nearby nerves or sinuses when planning treatment. If a clinic offers a dental implant consultation, ask whether a scan is clinically appropriate for you and whether its cost is included.
3. Do I have enough bone, and if not, what are my options?
Bone can shrink after a tooth is lost, sometimes quite quickly. If you need a graft, ask how it changes the treatment plan, healing period and overall timeline. Your clinician can explain whether additional preparation is needed and what alternatives may be suitable if an implant is not appropriate.
4. Which implant system do you use?
Established implant systems have long-term research behind them, and replacement parts may be easier to source. That can matter if you move away and another dentist needs to look after the implant in years to come. Ask which system is being proposed and whether the components used will be documented in your treatment records.
5. What exactly is included in the plan?
Ask for a written, itemised treatment plan covering the consultation, scans, any grafting, the implant, abutment, crown, temporary tooth and review visits. This makes it easier to compare different clinics fairly and understand what is included in the quoted treatment rather than comparing headline prices alone.
6. What happens if the implant does not integrate?
Implants have high success rates, but treatment is not guaranteed to succeed in every case. Ask what the clinic does if an implant fails to integrate and whether any replacement treatment is subject to specific conditions. It is also worth asking how your hygiene and review appointments affect long-term maintenance.
7. What are the alternatives?
A good clinician will talk you through a bridge and a denture too, including their advantages and disadvantages for your mouth specifically. The most suitable option depends on factors such as the number and position of missing teeth, your oral health, bone levels, preferences and the type of maintenance you can manage.
8. How might my health affect the result?
Smoking, gum disease, poorly controlled diabetes and some medicines, including certain bone-strengthening drugs, can raise the risk of complications. Be open about your medical history, medication and smoking habits. Your dentist can then assess your individual circumstances and explain any steps that may improve the safety and predictability of treatment.
9. How many visits, and over what period?
Dental implant treatment can involve several appointments spread over months, particularly where healing or additional treatment is required. If you work long hours in the City or Canary Wharf, or travel a lot, plan around the appointments rather than squeezing them into an already busy schedule. Ask for an estimated treatment timeline before you start.
10. What does aftercare look like?
Implants cannot decay, but the gum and bone around them can become inflamed, a condition called peri-implantitis. Ask how often you will be reviewed and what cleaning routine is recommended. Good daily cleaning, professional hygiene care and regular reviews are important parts of protecting the health of the tissues around an implant.
Are dental implants available on the NHS?
Dental implants are available on the NHS only in limited circumstances, for example after treatment for mouth cancer or a serious facial injury, and usually through a hospital. For most adults, implants are a private treatment. If you are considering finance, read the terms carefully and check that the lender is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Why choosing a clinic close to home matters
Implant treatment means several visits spread over months, followed by regular reviews for years. That is why location matters more than it does for a one-off filling. If you live in Canning Town, Custom House, Silvertown or elsewhere in E16, a clinic you can reach easily on the DLR or the Elizabeth line can make it more practical to attend review appointments and maintain your implant over time.
For residents of the area, clinics offering dental implants in the Royal Docks can be a practical choice if you want treatment closer to home rather than travelling into central London for each stage. iCare Dental sees patients from Canning Town, Custom House and Silvertown at its Royal Docks practice.
If you are comparing clinics, a consultation is an opportunity to discuss your oral health, proposed treatment stages, scans and likely timeline before making a decision. You can arrange a dental implant consultation and ask what is clinically appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Understanding the cost of dental implants
Costs for private implant treatment vary because each case is different. The total may include planning appointments, scans, extractions, bone grafting, the implant itself, an abutment, the crown and follow-up care. A lower headline quote may not cover every stage, so ask for an itemised estimate and clarify what happens if treatment needs to change. A bridge or denture may cost less initially or involve a different maintenance routine, but each option has its own benefits and limitations. Your dentist should explain the likely lifespan, care requirements and suitability of each option for your mouth before you decide.
Looking after an implant
- Brush twice a day and clean between teeth with interdental brushes or floss, exactly as you would around natural teeth.
- Keep your hygiene and review appointments, even when nothing feels wrong.
- If you smoke, stopping will help both healing and long-term results.
- Get any bleeding, soreness or looseness around the implant checked promptly.
Frequently asked questions
Does getting a dental implant hurt?
The procedure is usually carried out under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during implant placement. Some soreness, bruising or swelling can occur afterwards and often improves over a few days. Your clinician will explain how to manage recovery, what symptoms to expect and when to seek advice if symptoms worsen.
How long do dental implants last?
With good daily cleaning and regular professional reviews, a dental implant can last for many years and sometimes decades. The crown attached to it experiences normal chewing wear and may need repair or replacement over time. Long-term results depend on gum health, smoking, general health and keeping up with recommended aftercare and maintenance.
Can I have implants if I smoke?
Some people who smoke can still have dental implants, but smoking increases the risk of healing problems, implant failure and inflammation around the implant. Be open with your dentist about how much you smoke. They can explain your individual risks and discuss support for stopping or reducing smoking before treatment.
Am I too old for dental implants?
There is no fixed upper age limit for dental implants. Suitability depends more on your general health, the condition of your gums and jawbone, and whether you can maintain the implant with daily cleaning and regular reviews. A dentist can assess these factors and discuss alternatives if implants are not appropriate for you.
How much time off work will I need?
Many people return to work the next day after having a single implant, although this depends on the procedure, your job and how you feel. More complex treatment, such as bone grafting or multiple implants, may require additional recovery time. Ask your clinician for advice tailored to your treatment plan and type of work.
