Dental Implants Bromley

Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed into your jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. Once the implant has integrated with your bone (a process called osseointegration that typically takes three to six months), a custom-made crown, bridge, or denture is attached to the implant. The result is a tooth replacement that looks, feels, and functions remarkably like a natural tooth. Unlike bridges, implants don’t require grinding down adjacent healthy teeth, and unlike dentures, they’re fixed permanently in place.

 Most people in good general health with adequate bone volume and quality are suitable candidates for implants. However, certain conditions can affect success rates or require special consideration. Uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking, recent radiation therapy to the jaw, and certain medications (such as bisphosphonates) can all impact implant treatment. During your consultation, we’ll assess your medical history, take detailed scans of your jaw, and discuss whether implants are the right option for you. If you have insufficient bone, we can often use bone grafting techniques to create a suitable foundation for implants.

With proper care, dental implants can last for decades. Many patients enjoy their implants for life. Studies show success rates of over 95% at ten years. The implant itself, once successfully integrated into your bone, rarely fails. However, the crown or prosthesis attached to the implant will eventually need replacing due to normal wear and tear, typically after 10-15 years. Long-term success depends on maintaining excellent oral hygiene, attending regular professional maintenance appointments, and avoiding habits that can damage implants, such as smoking or untreated tooth grinding.

The procedure itself is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you won’t experience any pain during the surgery. We also offer sedation options for anxious patients or for longer procedures. Afterwards, it’s normal to have some discomfort, swelling, and possibly bruising for a few days, but most patients report that the pain is manageable with over-the-counter painkillers and is less than they expected. Many patients compare it to having a tooth extraction. We’ll provide you with detailed post-operative instructions and appropriate pain relief to ensure your comfort during the healing period.

The timeline varies depending on your individual case, but a straightforward single implant typically takes three to six months from start to finish. This breaks down into several stages: initial placement of the implant (one appointment), a healing period of 8-12 weeks whilst the implant integrates with your bone, then fabrication and fitting of your custom crown (two to three appointments over a few weeks). If you need preliminary procedures such as bone grafting or tooth extraction with socket preservation, this will extend the timeline. Michael will provide you with a detailed treatment plan and timeline during your consultation.

Implants require the same level of care as natural teeth: brushing twice daily, flossing once daily, and regular professional check-ups and hygiene appointments. However, the gum tissue around implants is slightly more vulnerable to bacterial infection than the gum around natural teeth, so meticulous oral hygiene is essential. We recommend using interdental brushes to clean around the implant, and we may suggest a water flosser for particularly thorough cleaning. You should attend hygienist appointments every three to six months so we can professionally clean your implants and check that everything is healthy. Smoking and uncontrolled gum disease are the main causes of implant failure, so addressing these factors is crucial.

Absolutely. If you’re missing several teeth, we don’t necessarily need to place one implant for each missing tooth. For example, if you’re missing three consecutive teeth, we can often use just two implants to support a fixed three-unit bridge. If you’re missing all teeth in one jaw, the All-on-4 or All-on-6 techniques allow us to replace an entire arch of teeth using just four or six implants. As a specialist prosthodontist, Michael can plan the most appropriate implant strategy for your particular pattern of tooth loss, balancing optimal function with practical and financial considerations.

Whilst the surgical placement of implants is important, the prosthetic phase (designing, fabricating, and fitting the crown, bridge, or denture that attaches to your implants) requires specialist expertise. As a specialist prosthodontist, Michael has completed years of additional postgraduate training specifically in tooth replacement and restoration, including complex implant prosthetics. This means he can manage your entire treatment, from planning the optimal implant positions through to creating a prosthesis that looks natural, functions properly, and will last for years. His specialist training is particularly valuable in complex cases involving multiple implants or full-mouth rehabilitation.

A single dental implant with a ceramic crown starts from around £2,500. Full-arch solutions like All-on-4 are also available. We offer a detailed treatment plan with transparent pricing at your consultation.

Bone grafting procedures can rebuild lost bone to create a solid foundation for implants. Dr Boulis will assess your bone volume with 3D scans and recommend the best approach.

Age alone is not a barrier to implant treatment. As long as you are in reasonable general health and have adequate bone, implants can be placed successfully at any adult age.

Dental implants have a success rate of approximately 95-98% when placed by an experienced clinician. As a specialist prosthodontist, Dr Boulis achieves consistently excellent outcomes.