Dental implants are small titanium posts (fixtures) surgically placed into your jawbone to act like artificial tooth roots. Once in place, a crown, bridge, or denture is then attached, giving a strong, natural-feeling replacement.

Benefits include: Preserving jawbone health and preventing bone loss in missing-tooth sites; restoring chewing strength, allowing you to eat virtually anything; looking and feeling like natural teeth; not requiring alteration of adjacent healthy teeth (unlike bridges); and lasting many years or even decades with good care.

The process involves four main steps: 1. The titanium implant post is placed into bone; 2. Over several weeks, the bone integrates (osseointegration); 3. An abutment is attached to the implant; 4. A custom crown, bridge, or denture is fitted to the abutment.

Most people are good candidates, but suitability depends on: general health and healing ability; having sufficient bone volume and quality (or ability to graft); good oral hygiene; and no uncontrolled medical conditions (such as uncontrolled diabetes). These factors are assessed in a consultation to create a safe, personalised plan.

If bone is insufficient, it can often be augmented via bone grafting, sinus lifts, or ridge augmentation. These procedures restore bone before or during implant placement. Taverham Dental handles most bone-graft work in-house or with specialist support.

You can have as many as needed – from a single implant to multiple implants – or full-arch restorations (for example, All-on-4 or All-on-6). The necessary number depends on your remaining teeth, bone condition, and goals.

From consultation to final restoration, the process typically spans 3 to 6 months, depending on healing, bone grafting needs, or other preparatory work. In straightforward cases, the timeline may be shorter.

Most patients report minimal discomfort. Local anaesthetic and optional sedation are used for anxious patients. Postoperative soreness is normal but manageable with pain relief. Taverham Dental prioritises gentle techniques and patient comfort.

With good oral hygiene, regular check-ups, and maintenance, implants commonly last 15–25 years or more, and in many cases for life. While the implant fixture usually remains stable, the crown/abutment may need occasional replacement.

The '3/2 rule' is a guideline used by some clinicians where approximately 3 years is a benchmark for early implant success, and 2mm of bone loss over many years is considered acceptable. It is described as a rule of thumb, and outcomes vary by patient and technique.

You rarely need to be without teeth. In most cases, a temporary restoration (like a flipper, temporary bridge, or provisional denture) is fitted soon after implant placement, so you will not be left toothless during healing.

Pricing depends on your individual treatment plan, including the number of implants, need for bone grafts, and complexity. A fully itemised quote is provided during the free consultation.

A typical full implant (fixture + abutment + crown) in the UK often ranges from £1,800 to £3,000+, depending on materials, location, and additional work needed.

Local cost often mirrors the UK average but may also reflect the clinic's reputation, equipment, and experience. Taverham Dental offers competitive pricing with transparency and finance options.

Full-arch solutions like All-on-6 or All-on-4 are more complex and costly. In the UK, these systems may range from £10,000 to £25,000+ (or more), depending on materials and complexity. These are evaluated on a case-by-case basis at your consultation.

In almost all cases, no. Implants are generally considered an elective cosmetic treatment and are rarely covered by the NHS, except in extreme or reconstructive cases (such as after cancer or trauma). Taverham Dental operates exclusively on a private basis.

Yes. Well-placed implants often match or exceed the functional strength of natural teeth, allowing you to bite, chew, and speak confidently. Materials (titanium, zirconia), design, and bone integration all play roles in strength.

In optimal conditions, dental implants have a success rate of 96%+ over many years.

The number depends on the number of missing teeth, jaw layout, bone health, and restoration design. Sometimes one implant supports one tooth, while other times, fewer implants can support multiple teeth via bridges or full-arch prosthetics.

Factors to consider include: training, credentials, and experience in implant dentistry; use of modern imaging (3D scans, CBCT); in-house capabilities like bone grafting; transparent, itemised pricing; good patient reviews and case histories; and aftercare and warranty.

Care includes: brushing and flossing like natural teeth (using interdental brushes, floss threaders); regular hygiene visits and check-ups; avoiding smoking and minimising risk habits; and protecting them from trauma (for example, avoiding chewing hard materials).

It is often best to place an implant soon after extraction (if conditions allow) to preserve bone. However, implants can also be fitted long after extractions. Timing is planned based on your jaw health and any preparatory work needed.

Implants can help with: replacing one or more missing teeth; stabilising loose or ill-fitting dentures; avoiding damage to adjacent teeth; preventing bone loss and shifting of teeth; and improving speech, chewing, aesthetics, and confidence.

Not always. Many implant dentists (including at Taverham Dental) manage both surgical placement and prosthetic restoration in-house. Collaboration with a prosthodontist or specialist may be necessary only in very complex cases to ensure optimal outcomes.