Replace Missing Tooth or Loose Dentures with Dental Implants

The surgical procedure itself is not painful, it's performed under local anaesthetic (numbing injections) just like fillings or extractions. You feel pressure and vibration during implant placement but no pain. Most Canterbury implant patients are surprised how comfortable the procedure is. After surgery when anaesthetic wears off, expect mild discomfort for 2-3 days similar to tooth extraction, manageable with over-the-counter painkillers (ibuprofen, paracetamol). Some patients experience no post-operative pain at all. Swelling and bruising are possible (cold compresses minimize this). By day 4-5, most patients feel back to normal. The procedure is significantly less traumatic than most people anticipate. If you're anxious about pain, sedation is available (from £300) to keep you relaxed and drowsy during surgery whilst still conscious.

Dental implants commonly last 20-30+ years with proper care, and many implants last patients' entire lifetimes. The titanium implant post itself can last indefinitely once successfully integrated with bone. The crown on top may need replacing after 10-15 years due to wear (similar to natural crowns), but the implant post remains permanently. Success depends on several factors: good oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, regular hygiene appointments), not smoking (smoking significantly increases failure risk), healthy gums (gum disease causes implant failure), regular dental check-ups, and avoiding excessive force (grinding/clenching, wear nightguard if you grind). Canterbury patients who maintain excellent oral hygiene and attend regular check-ups routinely achieve 25-30+ year implant lifespan. Compare this to dentures (5-7 years) or bridges (10-15 years), implants' longevity makes them excellent value despite higher initial cost

Dental implants have 95-98% success rates when placed by experienced dentists and properly maintained, making them one of the most predictable dental procedures available. Success rates vary slightly by location (lower jaw integrates faster than upper jaw due to denser bone) and patient factors (smoking reduces success rates to 85-90%; uncontrolled diabetes increases failure risk). Dr Banvir's implant success rate over hundreds of cases exceeds 96%. Implant failure, when bone doesn't integrate with titanium or infection develops, is rare. Early failures (first 3-6 months) usually result from infection or insufficient bone quality. Late failures (years later) typically result from gum disease or excessive force. The overwhelming majority of dental implants integrate successfully and function perfectly for decades. Free consultation includes honest discussion of your specific success probability based on your health, bone quality, and risk factors.

From initial consultation to final crown completion typically takes 4-6 months. Timeline breakdown: Consultation with CT scan (1 appointment, 1 hour), same day. Implant placement surgery (1 appointment, 60-90 minutes per implant), scheduled within 2-4 weeks of consultation. Healing/osseointegration period (3-6 months), no appointments during most of this time, implant heals undisturbed. Crown impressions (1 appointment, 30 minutes), after healing confirmed. Final crown fitting (1 appointment, 45 minutes, 2 weeks after impressions). Total: approximately 4-6 months from decision to completed tooth replacement. Some cases take longer if preliminary work needed, tooth extraction before implant adds 8-12 weeks; bone grafting adds 4-6 months. Some cases complete faster, immediate load implants (crown placed same day as implant, suitable only for certain cases) complete in single day. Timeline varies by individual case complexity.