How long do dental implants take from start to finish?

Dental implants are a way of supporting restorative treatments like crowns, bridges and dentures.

Designed for those with one or more missing teeth, they help to restore the strength and function of the mouth, improving speech, eating and general appearance.

Being such a restorative procedure, it’s expected that it takes time to get right.

In this blog post, we’ll run you through the ins and outs of dental implants, including how to maintain the look and how long they take to perfect.

Initial Consultation

Before anything, you need to have a consultation with your dentist. This can be your usual dentist or an implant expert.

Here, you’ll be asked to talk about why you’re interested in the procedure and what you want to achieve. Your dentist will then talk you through the whole process and recommend the most suitable option available for you.

Assessment and treatment plan

Once you’ve decided you’ll go ahead with the procedure, you’ll undergo a full health assessment, to confirm you have enough quality bone to install the implant in - this includes questions about your medical history and X-rays of your mouth to create a model of your existing teeth.

They’ll then develop a treatment plan bespoke to you.

Placement

Dental implants are usually completed under local anaesthetic to reduce discomfort.

Once it’s kicked in, an incision will be made in the gum, exposing the bone so the surgeon can see exactly where to place the implant.

An opening will be made in the jawbone before securing the implant, which is then closed with stitches (if necessary).

Depending on your dentist and how many teeth are being restored, you could get your dentures, crown or bridge installed on the same day, but others require you to heal first so your jaw can get used to the new addition.

If the latter, you could be given a temporary veneer so you’re not living with a gap in your smile for 4-8 months.

Fitting

Once the implant site has healed, you will be fitted for your replacement teeth.

You may be required to wait a few more weeks for them to be fitted with impressions and measurements needed for the perfect fit.

Aftercare

Aftercare advice is usually touched on during the consultation process, so you know what to expect. But an in-depth aftercare plan will be given to you after the procedure so you know exactly how to maintain your new smile.

You’re likely to be booked in for follow-up appointments too, to check up on how you’re getting on and answer any questions you have about life with implants.

Should I get dental implants?

While dental implants do have their benefits, they’re not an option for everyone.

Not only do they take months to complete, but the starting cost is around £1,400 per tooth (a gasp-worthy price, we know).

It’s not as though they’re completely risk-free either. Dental implant patients are made aware of the likelihood of infection, sinus and nerve damage, and allergic reactions to the titanium.

Perfect your smile quickly with clip-in veneers

Want to improve your smile without waiting half a year to heal and your new teeth to be made?

Clip-in veneers are here to help.

A cheaper, quicker alternative to a range of dental treatments and procedures, they can be used in place of braces, veneers, bonding, implants and more, to cover discolouration, cracks, missing teeth and gaps.

Why choose clip-in veneers over dental implants?

Aside from the fact that clip-in veneers are much cheaper and quicker to make than dental implants, there are a whole host of other benefits that set them above their more expensive counterpart.

Simple aftercare

Clip-in veneers are easy to look after.

After every use, brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush under warm water (not hot) to remove any food debris. Then, twice a week, disinfect with denture tablets to remove any bacteria buildup.

Make sure to store them in the case provided, in a dry, cool area to prevent warping, and away from pets who may mistake them for a chew toy (they’re attracted to the scent of saliva).

Improve your whole smile

As dental implants are so expensive, the majority of patients only use cosmetic dentistry to improve the look of a few teeth.

Often those who have undergone cosmetic procedures, seek further treatment to make the rest of their teeth look like the new one/s - making the smile makeover total even bigger.

instasmile clip-in veneers, however, enhance the look of the full smile (you’ll have the option between veneers for the top, bottom, or both) for less than the cost of one implant. This way, you don’t have to worry about some teeth looking better than the other - they’ll all be perfect.

Ultimate comfort

With an easy-to-use, at-home impression kit, your clip-in veneers are measured to your exact measurements for comfortable wear.

Some customers just wear their clip-in smiles when they want to look extra good in pictures or at social events, but they can be worn all day for non-stop confidence without moving out of place or causing irritation.

Improve your smile today

Like the sound of clip-in veneers?

We’re not surprised.

Our online smile assessment is available for you to complete today. Once you’ve been approved for our smile solution, we’ll send over your impression kit. Once these have been approved by our experts, we’ll get to work turning these impressions into your new smile.

In 10-15 days (after we receive and approve your impressions), you’ll receive your instasmile in the post.

To find out more about life with clip-in veneers, take a look at our FAQs. Or, if you’ve already made your decision, get started today.