What to Know Before Your First Appointment for Dental Implants in London

Be Prepared for Oral Surgery

Getting dental implants is a type of oral surgery performed by a specially trained dentist. It is not a superficial procedure like getting veneers. Therefore, you should be prepared for an invasive procedure. On the plus side, unlike with major surgery, you won’t need to be fully unconscious under general anaesthesia for the treatment. However, you will need to undergo sedation, and this is something that you should ask your dentist about on your first visit.

You may Have to Consent to a Few Tests

When you go in for an implant consultation, the dentist will perform a full mouth examination to check your suitability for the procedure. To ensure this is comprehensive, the dentist may need to take X-rays and 3-D scans of your mouth. You can ask about such tests in advance if you feel uncomfortable about them. Depending on your health condition, the dentist may also ask to see your medical records. A thorough checkup is important to determine whether you can receive implants and, if so, what kind of implants are best for you.

Dental Implants are Costly—Don’t Hesitate to Ask about Pricing!

In London, dental implant costs start from £1,999 and can go up to £20,000 (or even more in some cases). It is a big investment for which most patients have to pay out of pocket. So when you make your first appointment, don’t forget to ask the clinic to clarify all the costs involved. In addition to the implants, you may have to pay for treatments like bone grafting that prepares your mouth to receive the implant. Prices will vary depending on your medical requirements. Make sure you get satisfactory answers to questions about costs before undergoing the procedure.

Your Implantologist may Recommend Additional Procedures

How well you can receive a dental implant depends largely on the condition of your jawbone and gum health. If your jawbone lacks enough density or if your gums are receding, your implantologist may recommend extra treatments like bone grafting or gum grafting to make sure your mouth is strong enough to support the implant. Your implantologist will likely mention if such treatments are needed during your first visit.

It Will Take Time to Recover

Considering this is surgery, don’t expect to recover from dental implant treatments right away. Once the dentist drills the implant into your jaw, it will take time for the jawbone to fuse with the implant. This process will take several months. Therefore, you should be prepared for a long-term recovery plan. Don’t expect to come out of the procedure ready to bite into rock cakes. Discuss with your implantologist how you can manage healing and minimise the risk of failure due to inadequate recovery.

You May Not Get the Dental Implant You Prefer

If you are going in for your visit with certain implants in mind, do note that it is up to your implantologist to prescribe the best type of treatment to suit your medical needs. For example, if you need a full set of implants, you may prefer the popular All-on-6 treatment that offers excellent stability for a full arch. However, if you are experiencing jawbone loss, your dentist may recommend All-on-4 instead. A good implantologist will take your preference and budget into consideration as well. However, what’s most important is which implants are most likely to succeed given your health condition.

Don’t Go Alone–Arrange Safe Transportation

Unlike the typical dental visit, an implantation consultation may require additional tests or even sedation if the dentist recommends undergoing the procedure right away. Therefore, it’s advisable to have someone accompany you to the clinic. Ideally, go with a designated driver who can drive you back if necessary. Your first appointment for dental implants typically will not involve any serious treatments but it will be helpful to give everything careful consideration before going in. You can expect follow-up appointments until the procedure is done, and then a few more for several months afterwards to monitor recovery. If you need more clarity regarding dental implants, the FAQs below will help you understand the procedure even better.

Frequently Asked Questions about Getting Dental Implants London

What is the first procedure for dental implants?

Getting dental implants starts with a consultation where a dentist or a specialist performs a comprehensive oral exam. Once you are okayed for surgery, the implantologist will start the procedure with anaesthesia or sedation to control pain. What follows will depend on your medical condition. The implantologist may remove broken teeth and perform bone grafting or sinus lifting as needed before placing the implant. If you don’t need any such extra steps, the dentist will begin placing the implant by first cutting into your gum tissue.

Is the first step in a dental implant painful?

No, because the initial consultation is not invasive at all and during the surgery, you will be given an anaesthetic or a sedative to prevent pain. Typically, dental implant surgery is done under sedation, where you will be conscious throughout the procedure but will not feel any pain. In some cases, the dentist may recommend using an anaesthetic instead. In any case, the procedure is carefully managed, so you are relaxed and comfortable throughout.

How long does a dental implant take in the UK?

The surgery to place an implant only takes 1-2 hours depending on the individual case but the entire process from the initial consultation to recovery typically takes between 3 to 15 months in the UK. The time will vary depending on your individual needs. While it doesn’t take too long to qualify for the implanting surgery, do note that the recovery process can take months.

How much is a full set of dental implants in the UK?

A full set of dental implants for both arches can cost from £18,000 to £20,000 in the UK– or more if you require special types of implants. All-on-4 implants for both arches will cost around £18,000 and All-on-6 implants for both arches tend to be about £20,000. Prices of some implants, especially zygomatic implants, are calculated only after a consultation. Mind that the final cost of a full set of implants will also include fees for additional procedures like bone grafting.

How to choose dental implant size?

A specialist dentist will recommend the right size for your dental implants based on the density of your jawbone, bite alignment, available space, and overall oral health. If you are concerned about how the implants may look and prefer smaller implants, you can consider options like mini implants. However, ultimately, it’s up to your implantologist to decide which size is best to minimise the risk of failure as much as possible.

How many implants can you have done at once?

There is no set limit of implants you can get per visit, but dentists don’t typically do more than 8 per arch. Also, the number of implants you can get will depend on how good your jawbone is. If you need a full set of teeth, you can get between 4-8 implants per arch. This will also depend on the type of implant you receive. If you are getting All-on-Four implants, for example, then all artificial teeth on an arch will be supported by just 4 implants. Likewise, All-on-6 can support a full arch with 6 implants.

Can you feel teeth with implants?

Dental implants don’t have nerve endings so they won’t feel exactly like natural teeth but will look and function very similarly. You will still be able to feel some sensations, like pressure or temperature, near an implant because of the gum tissue. It is unlikely that you will feel a major loss of sensation as dental implants are designed to be as lifelike as possible.

Got More Questions about Choosing Dental Implants in the UK?

You can contact an experienced restorative dentist or an implantologist at a Complete Smiles UK clinic to get personalised answers to any pressing questions you may have regarding dental implants. Our supportive staff will help you find solutions regardless of your medical situation or budget. You can call, email, or submit a form from our website.