What are they?

Implants are one way of replacing missing teeth.

A post is planted in the jaw bone to support a missing tooth. This acts like the root of a natural tooth. Implants can also be used to support fixed bridges or dentures..

Implant treatment has two stages. First, the implant is placed in the jaw. Then, when the jaw has healed, replacement teeth are attached to the implant.

What will my dentist do?

First you should decide whether implants could be right for you. Ask your dentist about the stages of treatment, about who would be carrying out each stage and the timetable for completing treatment.
Your own dentist might do the implant surgery or you might have to be referred to a specialist.

If you decide to go ahead, this is what will happen.

• Implants are put into holes in the jaw with a local or general anaesthetic.
• The implant is screwed or pushed in and the gum is stitched so that it heals over the implant.
• Under the gum, the bone then grows round the implant to hold it firm. This takes several months.

Implants usually have two sections - the post in the jaw and an extension that is added later when the post is secure. Attaching the extension needs a small cut in the gum above the implant. You might have more than one implant. The replacement teeth might be fixed permanently (like a crown or bridge) or attached in a way which lets you remove them for cleaning (like a denture).