For most people the word implant conjures up a false tooth. But the implant itself is not the visible part: it is a small titanium screw placed in the jawbone to take over the job of the missing root. The tooth you see is a separate piece, fitted onto it later.
That distinction matters, because it is exactly what explains why the treatment does not finish in one go.
It has three parts
- The implant screw — the titanium part placed in the jawbone, standing in for the root
- The abutment — the connector that joins the screw to the tooth above it
- The restoration — the crown, bridge or denture you actually see
The brand of screw is not picked at random either. Long-established names such as Straumann, Nobel Biocare and Osstem have years of clinical follow-up data behind them. You are entitled to ask which brand your dentist is using and why — a serious clinic will be glad to answer.
Why it is not finished in a day
Once the screw is in place, the bone has to grow around and grip it. That is a biological process and it cannot be rushed — bone cells need time to integrate with the titanium surface. During that period the implant should not carry a full load.
In practice that means two separate visits for most patients. The implant is placed on the first visit — the surgery itself usually takes between fifteen minutes and two hours, and a three-night stay is planned around it. You spend the healing period at home and come back for the restoration on a second visit.
How long healing takes varies considerably from person to person: bone density, the position of the implant, smoking and general health all affect it. Your own timeline is set by your dentist.
Is it right for everyone?
No — and a clinic that says so plainly is a good sign. An implant needs enough bone volume to hold onto. If the tooth was removed a long time ago, the bone there may have resorbed. That is not always a barrier: bone grafting or a different implant technique can solve it, but it does mean an extra stage.
- Untreated gum disease has to be dealt with first
- Uncontrolled diabetes affects healing
- Smoking clearly raises the risk of implant failure
- In younger patients, treatment waits until jaw growth is complete
Is having an implant painful?
The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, so you do not feel pain during it. Some swelling and tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal and is managed with the painkiller your dentist recommends. Pain that is unexpected or increasing is not normal and should be reported.
Implant or bridge?
Where a single tooth is missing, the other option you will be offered is a bridge. The teeth either side are reduced and a three-unit structure is seated over them. It is quicker, involves no surgery and requires no healing period.
The cost is the neighbouring teeth. Even if those two are perfectly healthy, they are cut down and will not return to their original state. That is the implant’s main advantage: it leaves the teeth beside it alone.
The second difference shows up in the bone. A root stimulates bone; with no root, the bone gradually resorbs. Because an implant keeps that stimulation going, it helps preserve the volume in the area. Under a bridge the resorption carries on, and over the years a visible dip can appear in the gum.
A bridge is not always the wrong call. If the neighbouring teeth already carry large fillings or crowns, preparing them costs you nothing extra — and in that case a bridge is a sensible, economical answer.
What the day itself is like
Most people expect something heavier than it turns out to be. The procedure is done under local anaesthetic: you are awake, but the area is completely numb. You may feel pressure; you will not feel pain.
For a single implant, chair time is usually between fifteen minutes and an hour. With several implants, or a graft placed at the same time, it can stretch to two hours. Once it is done you go back to your hotel the same day.
Swelling and slight bruising in the first forty-eight hours are normal; ice and the painkiller your dentist provides are usually enough. During those days you will be asked to avoid hot drinks, smoking and chewing on the site.
How long do implants last?
Remember that we are talking about two separate parts. The titanium screw in the bone can stay put for decades when it is looked after — for zygomatic implants, clinical studies report service beyond twenty years. The crown on top is a wearing part and may need replacing in time.
What shortens an implant’s life is not decay — titanium does not decay. The real risk is inflammation in the gum and bone around it. That picture resembles gum disease around a natural tooth, and it is prevented the same way: cleaning between the teeth and professional check-ups every six months.
Smoking is the single most decisive factor here. Because it raises the risk of implant failure, dentists will ask you to stop — or at least cut down — before treatment and throughout healing.
Is there an age limit for implants?
There is no upper limit; what decides it is bone condition and general health, not age. A patient in their eighties may be suitable while someone in their twenties has to wait because jaw growth is not complete. The lower limit is about development finishing, not a number.
I have a metal allergy — is titanium a problem?
Allergy to titanium is extremely rare, which is why it is the material of choice. If you have a known metal sensitivity, tell your dentist. Where titanium cannot be used, a ceramic implant can be considered.
Will I be without a tooth between visits?
No. Where the gap is visible, a temporary solution is fitted for the healing period — you will not walk around with a space at the front. Further back it is not always necessary, and your dentist decides case by case.