What Can Implants Replace?

One implant supports one crown, replacing a single missing tooth without affecting the teeth on either side.

Several strategically placed implants can support a fixed bridge, replacing a section of missing teeth permanently and securely.

A complete upper or lower arch of teeth can be supported by as few as four implants. All-on-4 is a life-changing solution for patients with extensive tooth loss or failing teeth — providing a full set of fixed, permanent teeth in a single procedure. Patients leave with teeth that don't come out, don't move, and allow them to eat and speak with complete confidence.

For patients who have existing dentures but struggle with stability, implants can be used to anchor them securely — dramatically improving comfort, confidence, and quality of life without replacing the denture entirely.

Bridges vs Dentures vs Implants

Understanding why implants are often the superior long-term choice:

• Conventional bridges rely on crowning the healthy teeth on either side of the gap to support the replacement tooth — removing perfectly good tooth structure in the process. Bridges typically last 7–10 years before needing replacement.

• Dentures sit on the gum and rely on suction or adhesive. They can shift when eating, affect speech, and over time the jawbone beneath them slowly resorbs because there's no root to stimulate it.

• Implants are the only tooth replacement option that preserves and stimulates the jawbone. They don't rely on neighbouring teeth, they don't move, and they're designed to last a lifetime.

The Treatment Journey — What to Expect

Every implant case is planned individually. Here is the typical pathway:

1. Consultation and assessment
Your dentist carries out a thorough examination including digital X-rays and, where needed, a 3D CT scan of your jaw. This gives us a precise three-dimensional picture of the available bone, the position of nerves and sinuses, and the ideal placement for your implant. We use computer-enhanced treatment planning to map every step before surgery begins.

2. Treatment planning
We discuss your options in detail — the number of implants needed, the restoration (crown, bridge, or full arch), the timeline, and the cost. We don't proceed until you fully understand and are comfortable with every aspect of the plan.

3. Implant placement
The implant is placed under local anaesthetic. For most straightforward cases this takes around 15–30 minutes per implant. You'll feel pressure and sensation but no sharp pain.

4. Osseointegration (healing)
The implant is left to integrate with your jawbone — typically over 8–12 weeks. In some cases a temporary crown or restoration is placed during this period. In suitable cases, a crown can sometimes be placed sooner.

5. Crown placement
Once the implant has fully integrated, your custom-made crown, bridge, or full-arch restoration is attached. Your dentist checks the fit, appearance, and bite meticulously before final placement.

Keyhole Implant Surgery vs Open Surgery — We Do Both

Not all implant placements are the same, and the surgical approach used can make a real difference to your recovery experience.

• Keyhole (flapless) implant surgery uses precise 3D CT planning and guided surgical templates to place the implant through a very small opening in the gum — without the need to cut and fold back the gum tissue. Because the surrounding tissue remains largely undisturbed, patients typically experience significantly less swelling, less discomfort, and a faster recovery. It's a more comfortable experience overall, and for straightforward cases with sufficient bone volume, it's our preferred approach.

• Open (flap) surgery involves gently lifting the gum tissue to allow direct visual access to the bone. This is necessary for more complex cases — where bone grafting is needed, where anatomy requires closer inspection, or where the precision of keyhole placement isn't achievable due to the patient's specific bone situation. It remains a highly effective approach and is the right choice when the case calls for it.

Our ability to offer both techniques — and the experience to know which is appropriate for each patient — means your treatment is tailored to what's safest and most effective for your individual situation, not limited to a one-size-fits-all approach.

What If I Don't Have Enough Bone?

This is one of the most common concerns for patients considering implants — particularly those who have had missing teeth for a long time, as the jawbone gradually resorbs without a tooth root to stimulate it.

The good news is that our experience means we can find solutions for many patients who have been told elsewhere that they don't have sufficient bone. We use the latest 3D imaging to assess bone volume accurately — and innovative techniques including CT-guided implant placement, bone grafting, and sinus lift augmentation to build the foundation needed where required.

When bone grafting is needed, we use highly effective synthetic bone grafting materials that act as a scaffold — the body's own bone gradually grows into and replaces the graft material over the following months, leaving natural bone in its place. These synthetic materials are well-researched, biocompatible, and eliminate the need for harvesting bone from elsewhere in the patient's body — meaning less surgical intervention and a more straightforward recovery.

In most cases, bone grafting and implant placement can be combined into a single procedure, reducing the overall number of appointments and shortening your treatment timeline.

We'll be honest with you if implants genuinely aren't viable in your situation — but in our experience, this is far rarer than patients are sometimes led to believe.

Will It Hurt?

It's the question almost every implant patient asks first, and it deserves an honest answer.

During the procedure, the area is completely numbed with local anaesthetic — you will feel pressure and movement, but nothing sharp or painful. The surgical placement of a single implant typically takes 15–30 minutes. The more experienced the clinician, the quicker and smoother the procedure — another reason why the depth of experience at DentalCare Carnegie makes a practical difference to your comfort on the day.

After the procedure, some soreness and mild swelling over the following 2–3 days is normal and manageable with standard pain relief. Most patients are surprised by how straightforward the recovery is.

Caring for Your Implants

Implants don't decay, but the gum and bone around them still need care. Long-term implant health depends on:

• Brushing twice daily and flossing around each implant
• Using an interdental brush to clean around the implant crown at the gumline
• Attending regular check-ups and professional cleans — we'll monitor your implants at every visit
• Not smoking — smoking significantly increases the risk of implant complications and failure
• Wearing a night guard if you grind your teeth

With good care, implants can genuinely last a lifetime. We'll give you specific care instructions tailored to your restoration at your placement appointment.