Losing one or more teeth is much more than a cosmetic problem. It affects the way we speak, our confidence when smiling in photos and, crucially, the simple pleasure of enjoying our favourite food without restrictions. If you are at that initial stage of searching, it is normal to have doubts. In this guide, we explain in plain terms why dental implants are today the most advanced and long‑lasting solution to help you feel like yourself again.
What exactly is a dental implant?
Imagine an implant as an “artificial root”. It is a small post placed where your natural tooth root used to be to support a new tooth.
A complete implant system has three parts:
- The implant: The screw that sits hidden beneath the gum.
- The abutment: A small piece that connects the implant to the new tooth.
- The crown: The visible part that perfectly mimics the colour and shape of your natural teeth.
Benefits that change your everyday life
Unlike traditional dentures, which can sometimes move or cause rubbing, implants offer complete stability. Here we explain why they are the preferred choice for millions of people:
- Enjoy all foods again: By functioning like a natural tooth, you regain 100% of your chewing ability. You can go back to eating apples, nuts or meat without fear of anything moving.
- Natural aesthetics: The gum tissue heals naturally around the crown, achieving a seamless visual integration. No one will notice you have an implant.
- They can last almost a lifetime: With proper care, an implant can last between 15 and 20 years, or even a lifetime.
- You protect your other teeth: Unlike bridges, we do not need to grind down the healthy neighbouring teeth to support the new piece.
- Support for your facial structure: When a tooth is missing, the jawbone tends to shrink over time. The implant stimulates the bone and helps to maintain the natural structure of your face.
Materials: Titanium or Ceramic?
Currently, we have two main materials, both highly biocompatible with the human body:
- Titanium: It is the gold standard used for decades. It has an impressive success rate of between 95% and 97%. It is extremely strong, ideal for molars that endure a lot of chewing force.
- Ceramic (Zirconia): A modern option, completely metal‑free and naturally white in colour. It is excellent for front teeth or for people with very thin gums or particular sensitivities.
The path to your new smile (Step by step)
We know the word “surgery” can sound daunting, but thanks to current technology, the process is much simpler and more predictable than you might imagine.
- Initial assessment: We take X‑rays or a 3D scan to assess the condition of your bone and plan everything with millimetre precision.
- Placement: This is carried out under a local anaesthetic, so you will not feel pain during the procedure. In modern cases, we use computer‑guided surgery, which is less invasive and allows for a quicker recovery.
- The magical bond (Osseointegration): Over the next 3 to 6 months, your bone “embraces” the implant until they fuse together firmly.
- Your new tooth: Once the implant has become part of you, we place the final crown custom‑designed for you.
Am I a good candidate?
Most adults in good general health can receive implants. Even if you are 70 or 80 years old, you can dramatically improve your quality of life. The only essential requirements are having enough bone to hold the implant (if you do not, grafts are available to resolve this) and committing to good daily oral hygiene.
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