What Are Dental Implants?

Reviewed on 3rd Jul 2026 by Dr Abdul Dalghous GDC 81805

Ideal when dentures and bridgework doesn’t fit, or teeth are loose or missing, dental implants use titanium screwlike posts placed into the jawbone, acting as a natural tooth root which is topped with a porcelain crown, zirconia bridge or acrylic denture.

Replacing damaged, decaying, discoloured and missing teeth, treatment costs from £1,000 per tooth*, in a pain free procedure under local anaesthetic (sedation available) done the same day with full osseointegration takes 3-6 months, with results that last 30+ years.

Dental implant specialists

Rated 5/5 by the Care Quality Commission, founder and experienced oral surgeon Dr Adul Dalghous [GDC 81805] heads our team of 80 internationally renowned dentists across nine cutting edge clinics located throughout the UK. In addition, our dedicated dental laboratory and in-clinic fabrication tools gives unrivalled control over the prototyping, materials and design of each implant, crowns, and bridges, creating new smiles that are indistinguishable from perfect natural teeth.

Before and after photos

From a single tooth replacement or all-on-4 arch, to whole mouth implant restorations, see the results from patients old and young, located throughout the UK, who have trusted their smiles to Yorkshire Dental Suite.  

Dr Abdul demystifies dental implants

What is a dental implant? This treatment uses a titanium post inserted into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth. The bone fuses to the implant, an abutment secures a porcelain crown, or zirconia bridge in place.

This safe and simple surgical procedure is painless with local anaesthetic, taking around half an hour per tooth. Most patients experience some minor pushing and pulling during treatment.

Patients will experience some discomfort following the main procedure including pain, swelling and bruising which can be managed with over-the-counter paracetamol or ibuprofen.

While the outcome can’t be guaranteed, treatment has a high success rate with studies showing 88% of patients have implants that last over 20 years. This highlights the importance of planning and after care to prevent implant failure.

Treatment prices vary based on the condition of gums, teeth and jaw; number of teeth being replaced; type of prosthetic; and choice of sedation.

Worried about implants?

From dental phobias, issues with pain and injections, to concerns about eligibility or financing or travelling for treatment, contact us today to put your mind at ease.

Teeth implants: UK prices

Implants are only available from the NHS if there is a medical need e.g. oral cancer or a congenital birth issue. For most patients’ private dental care is the only choice with treatment starting at £2,800 for a single tooth.

Get £500 worth of X-rays and scans when you book a consultation for just £95.

Spread the cost of treatment with flexible 60 months 9.9% and 12 months 0% finance plans.

Representative example of a finance plan for a Dual Arch Platinum package. Total package price of £29,995.00, with a deposit of £0, over 60 months would cost you £629.62 per month at a representative 9.9% APR. The total amount of credit would be £37,777.09, with a total interest cost of £7,782.09. This means the total amount repayable is £37,777.09.

Types of dental implants

There are many types of dental implants available. The choice depends on your budget, the number of teeth being replaced, and condition of gums and bone density. Discuss your options with a Yorkshire Dental Suite dentist today.

• Same Day Dental Implants: Exclusive to Yorkshire Dental Suite, Teeth in a Day™ fits temporary teeth the same day as extraction, giving you a new smile from day one. Full treatment takes several months with final crowns or bridges being fit once implants have fused with the jawbone.
• Implant supported bridge: Where several teeth are replaced, a bridge is used instead of having multiple single implants. Containing two or more teeth, each bridge is supported by a small number of implants e.g. 2 teeth on one implant, or 4 teeth on 2 implants etc.
• Single tooth implant: Replace individual teeth with a single implant capped by a porcelain or zirconia crown that looks and feels just like a natural tooth.
• Implant Retained Dentures: The most affordable option that combines the security of an implant with the convenience of a removable denture.

Other names for implants

There are many different names for implants. Knowing the difference can help guide a decision.

• False tooth: Another name for a single tooth implant.
• All-on-4 dental implants: A zirconia bridge containing 10 teeth supported by 4 dental implants used to replace a jaw of teeth.
• Full mouth dental implants: 2 bridges of 10 teeth each, supported by 4 implants, that replace both upper and lower sets of teeth.
• Turkey Teeth: implants are one of many treatments often labelled as Turkey teeth.

Implants with bone loss

Bone loss (resorption) is caused by tooth loss, affecting the implant’s ability to fuse with the jawbone and causing implant failure if untreated. There are several solutions available to remedy this issue. Discuss options with a dentist during your consultation.

• Bone graft: Donor bone fuses with your jaw to build up affected areas. This adds time to your treatment and is required before implants can be started.
• Zygomatic implant: Used in the upper jaw only, zygomatic implants are long angled implants that fuse with the zygoma bone in your cheek.
• Pterygoid implants: Used in the upper jaw only, pterygoid implants are long angled implants that fuse with the zygoma bone behind the jaw.
• Sinus lift: Used in the upper jaw only this places  a bone graft between the upper jaw and sinus cavity to help secure an implant.
• Subperiosteal Implants: Uses a titanium framework attached across the jawbone to secure an implant bridge.

Benefits of dental implants

During the three to six months following the procedure, osseointegration fuses the implant to the jawbone. This provides a secure foundation for a crown or bridge, prevents bone loss by stimulating natural bone growth[citation needed], and stops teeth from migrating into gaps affecting bite. Implants protect healthy teeth and reduce facial collapse (puckering) to improve appearance [citation].

• Smile, laugh and speak confidently once again with dental implants.
• Loose or ill-fitting dentures are uncomfortable and inconvenient. Replace them with implants and enjoy a life where there is no worry about teeth.
• Enjoy steak, apples and culinary favourites with a strong bite and confident chew. PPMA, porcelain and zirconia implants look and feel natural, functioning like a real tooth. They’re easy to maintain and are impervious to decay giving up to 20+ years of use with care.

While the up-front cost of treatment can be daunting, the many years of expected use make implants one of the most cost-effective dental surgeries.

The dental implant procedure

Exclusive to Yorkshire Dental Suite, Teeth In A Day™ creates new teeth using a temporary acrylic bridge the same day as the surgery. The full procedure takes several months and can vary based on the number and type of implants and length of any supporting procedures required e.g. bone grafts, gum disease etc.

1. Book a consultation :Including scans worth over £500, the £95 consultation tests a patient’s eligibility for treatment. In addition to having options clearly explained, a full dental examination, review of any medication and medical history, and discuss lifestyle choices (smoking etc). A CBCT scan, 3D imaging and X-ray check if there is enough healthy jawbone for implantation.
   
   If gum disease, receding gums, require a bone graft or sinus lift or other issues that impact eligibility are found, additional treatments will be suggested.
   
   A treatment plan covers all treatments, costs and timescales. Don’t forget to discuss finance before giving consent and booking in a treatment day.
2. Implant placement: Specialist will be either an oral surgeon or specially trained dental implantologist. A single implant can take as little as 30 minutes with full mouth treatment taking several hours with breaks. Treatment is painless with local anaesthetic which numbs the gum and jaw. Patients remain awake but relaxed throughout.  
   
   A small incision is made into the gum and a hole drilled into the jawbone. A grade 5 titanium post is screwed to the bone and an abutment attached before the gum is repaired with a few stitches.  A temporary crown or bridge is attached the same day as the surgery.
3. Osseointegration & healing: Return home for 3-6 months while the implant fuses to the bone creating a new stable tooth root. This can cause implants to move and is why final crowns or bridges are not fit the same day.
   
   While surgery is painless, pain, swelling and soreness can be challenging over the next few days. Treat this with over-the-counter painkillers.
4. Crafting your smile: Once healed, digital scans map the contours of gums and implants, The final hand-painted crowns or bridges are then manufactured in our dedicated dental laboratory.
   
   The temporary teeth are removed, and new custom-made teeth are attached using screws or dental cement.
   
   Full mouth procedures use two bridges containing up to 10 teeth each supported by a minimum of 4 implants in each jaw. Other solutions may include a combination of single teeth and partial bridges.

What are the alternatives to dental implants

Implants replace a damaged or missing tooth root with a titanium post that’s supports a crown or bridge of teeth. A dental bridge sits on top of the gum and uses adjacent teeth to support a bridge of teeth. Dentures are removable false teeth that are not fixed in police.

Who is eligible for dental implants?

For patients aged between 18 to 80 years old, a beautiful confident smile is a possibility for all. If a dentist suggests dentures, then eligibility is almost certain. Acceptance is based on the health of your gums and bone tissue which improves osseointegration, reducing the risk of infection and implant failure.

A consultation will confirm eligibility or identify any treatments needed before implants can be started. This includes bone grafts, gum grafts and treating gum disease.

Dentists recommend to stop smoking, avoid heavy alcohol use or taking recreational drugs as these increase the risk of implant failure.

Conditions such as bruxism (grinding teeth), radiotherapy treatment, heart conditions, uncontrolled diabetes and bone loss medication (bisphosphonates) can also impact eligibility. Please discuss any conditions with the dentist during your consultation.

What to do after tooth implant surgery

After surgery gums can become bruised, swelling and bleeding for several days. This is normal. To treat any symptoms:

• Take over the counter pain relief (paracetamol or ibuprofen
• Use any antibiotics prescribed by your dentist to reduce infection
• Eat soft food including pasta, rice, soup and smoothies while you heal
• Rinse with saltwater every 3 hours
• Hold an icepack against painful areas (do not put ice directly on your skin)
• If bleeding, bite into damp gauze for 10-15 minutes.

Potential dental implant complications

• Treatments have a 95% success rate however complications can occur through smoking or vaping, gum disease, undiagnosed diabetes and a lack of care for the implants, crowns and bridges.
• Temporary acrylic teeth are not as durable as porcelain or zirconia. Avoid biting onto hard, sticky or crunchy foods and do not bite or chew pencils, pen lids or other non-food objects while healing.
• Excessive bleeding, swelling and bruising should be discussed with a dentist.
• Be aware of nerve damage causing numbness or tingling of the tongue, lips or jaw.
• If implants fail (peri implantitis), they can be removed and new implants fit once the gum has healed. This is a new procedure requiring additional investment.

Find dental implants near me

From nine state of the art dental clinics located throughout the UK, a new confident smile is within reach. Start your journey when you find your local Yorkshire Dental Suite specialist and book your consultation today.

FAQ

Should I get dental implants in Turkey

On the 16th July 2022 the BBC documentary titled “Turkey teeth: Bargain smiles or big mistake?” exposed the overseas dental implant industry. While travelling overseas for cheap dental treatment can seem like a good deal, the reality is it comes with some significant risks.

• 58% of clinics offered unnecessary treatment
• Clinics advertised a different treatment to the one performed
• In most cases UK dentists will not treat patients who have had turkey teeth abroad

How much do tooth implants cost on the NHS

Dental implants are a Band 3 NHS treatment costing £319.10 and have an average waiting time of 18 weeks. Not everyone is eligible for NHS dental implants as treatment is limited to where there is a medical need. As a result, most patients must seek a private dentist to carry out the procedure. With private treatments there is no waiting list and treatments can be started quickly.

How much are private dental implants?

Spread the cost of treatment with flexible 60 months 9.9% and 12 months 0% finance plans.

How to get free dental implants in the UK

There are no free or government grant-based implant treatments available. A small number of patients are eligible for NHS implants costing £319.10. For the majority, private all-on-4 implants cost from £11,995 with full mouth implants costing from £19,995.

How to make dental implants affordable

The cost of treatment increases based on the amount of preparation needed to make gums and bone eligible for implants, and the number, type and materials of implants being used. To make implants affordable first have any gum disease or outstanding dental issues treated. The most affordable type of implants are PPMA (Poly Methyl Methacrylate), an acrylic bridge supported by a titanium bar.

What is a Strauman implant?

Strauman is a Swiss manufacturer of dental implants and related technology.

Why no dairy after a dental implants?

Dairy contains bacteria that can increase the risk of infection.

Can I get dental implants for a front tooth

Front tooth implants are available from £2,800. They use a grade 5 titanium screwlike post capped with a porcelain or zirconia crown that is designed to look and perform like a natural tooth.

Can I get dental implants for a molar tooth

Molar tooth implants are available from £2,800. They use a grade 5 titanium screwlike post capped with a porcelain or zirconia crown that is designed to look and perform like a natural tooth.

The dangers of one day dental implants

Implant treatments where a PPMA or zirconia bridge is fit the same day as extraction increase risk of failure. As implants fuse to the jawbone they can move out of alignment causing failure. Yorkshire Dental Suite fit a temporary acrylic bridge allowing healing and movement to naturally occur. Once osseointegration is complete, scans of each implants final position are taken and a custom made, hand painted bridge is fit giving you a long lasting smile.

Are dental implants painful?

Local anaesthetic makes the initial procedure a pain free experience. There can be some pain, swelling and bruising across the days following a surgery which decreases over time.

For specific concerns about pain or medical phobias discuss the sedation options with a dentist.

How long does the process take

• Consultations take 45 minutes
• Remedial work can take days to months
• Implant procedures take between up to 7 hours with breaks
• Healing (osseointegration) takes between 3 and 6 months
• Final fit takes a few hours

*Price calculated from Yorkshire Dental Suite Gold dental implants package: full mouth cost divided by 20 teeth.

CITATIONS

Key Fact: "Studies tracking implants over a decade show a 97% success rate and a 98.8% survival rate."

Buser D, et al. (2012). "10-year survival and success rates of 511 titanium implants."

PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Key Fact: "Dental implants are the only restoration method that actively prevents jawbone resorption (bone loss) by providing the necessary stimulation."

Misch, C. E. (2007). "Contemporary Implant Dentistry." (3rd Edition).

Google Books / Elsevier

Key Fact: "While a crown or bridge may require replacement due to wear, the underlying titanium implant is considered a permanent, lifetime solution."

Association of Dental Implantology (ADI) UK - Patient Information.

ADI Official Patient Portal

Key Fact: "Risk factors such as smoking and certain systemic conditions can significantly correlate with early failure rates, making personalized consultation vital."

Decoding Success: A Five-Year Retrospective Study of Dental Implant Survival.

PMC (PubMed Central)