Dental implants: what to expect
A patient-friendly overview of dental implants: who they may suit, the usual stages, and the questions worth asking before you decide.
What an implant is
A dental implant is a small post placed in the jaw to support a replacement tooth. It is one of several ways to replace a missing tooth, alongside bridges and dentures.
Who it may suit
It depends on the health of your gums and jaw bone, your general health and your habits. An examination, and usually an X-ray, is needed before anyone can say whether it could suit you.
The usual stages
Planning, placing the implant, a healing period, then fitting the replacement tooth. The time involved varies from person to person, so ask for your own estimate after the examination.
Questions worth asking
What are the alternatives for my situation? How many visits will I need? What does the whole plan cost, in total? What happens if something needs adjusting? A good consultation answers all of these before you decide.
This is general information, not medical advice.