57% of UK adults have at least one missing tooth. Of those who haven't replaced it with an implant, the two most common reasons aren't medical, 43% say cost, and 20% say their dentist never brought it up.
That second figure is worth sitting with. One in five people who needed implants simply weren't told they were an option.
According to the NHS, dental implants are usually only available privately. In London, a single implant typically ranges from £1,800 to £3,000 covering the implant, abutment, and crown, with prices varying depending on case complexity.
What most people don't factor in is the comparison over time. Dentures and bridges typically need replacing or adjusting every few years. An implant, with straightforward maintenance, can last decades. The upfront cost looks different when spread across a 20-year lifespan.
Yes, in the sense that matters most. The titanium post fuses directly with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration, becoming a fixed part of your jaw rather than sitting on top of it. The crown — the visible part — may eventually need replacing after many years of wear, but the implant itself is designed to be a long-term solution, not a temporary fix.
This also means implants do something dentures and bridges can't: they preserve the jawbone. When a tooth is lost and not replaced, the bone beneath it gradually deteriorates because there's no longer any root stimulating it. An implant replicates that stimulation, stopping the deterioration before it affects neighbouring teeth or the structure of your face.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so during the placement itself you should feel pressure but not pain. Most patients report that the recovery is more manageable than they expected — some discomfort and swelling in the days following, similar to a tooth extraction, which settles with over-the-counter pain relief.
The fear of pain is one of the things that delays people longest. For patients who are particularly anxious, conscious sedation is available, which means you remain awake but in a deeply relaxed state throughout.
Longer than most people expect, though not for the reason they think. The procedure itself is straightforward, but after the implant is placed the bone needs time to fuse with the titanium — a process that takes three to six months. During that period, you'll have a temporary restoration fitted so there's no visible gap, and then the permanent crown is placed once healing is confirmed.
If additional work is needed beforehand — bone grafting, for example — that adds time to the front end of the process. The total treatment from first consultation to final crown can range from a few months to closer to a year in more complex cases, but each stage is spaced out rather than intensive.
Most adults in good general health are suitable candidates. The main clinical requirements are sufficient bone density to support the implant and healthy gums — and as we've covered previously, even patients with some bone loss have options, including grafting, to rebuild the foundation before placement.
Smoking and uncontrolled diabetes are the two factors most likely to affect healing and long-term success, and both are worth discussing openly at consultation. They don't automatically rule out implants, but they do require honest conversation about managing risk.
A consultation doesn't commit you to anything — it tells you where you stand. At SmileArt Dental, we use 3D CBCT imaging to assess your bone structure precisely before recommending any treatment, so the plan we put in front of you is based on your actual anatomy rather than a general estimate.
If cost has been the sticking point, it's worth knowing that payment plans are available, and the conversation about what's realistic for your budget is one we're comfortable having.
