Dental Implants: What to Expect, Stage by Stage

A dental implant replaces a missing tooth root with a titanium post that fuses with your jawbone, then carries a custom crown. Done well, it is the closest dentistry gets to regrowing a tooth — but 'done well' means careful planning, realistic timelines and honest case selection.

Everything starts with a CBCT scan — a 3D X-ray that maps your bone volume, nerve positions and sinus anatomy. This is where suitability is genuinely determined; a clinic that quotes without one is guessing.

The implant is placed under local anaesthetic in a procedure most patients describe as easier than expected — commonly compared to an extraction in reverse. Mild soreness for a few days is normal and manageable with standard pain relief.

Over roughly 8–16 weeks the bone integrates with the implant surface (osseointegration). Once stable, a custom porcelain crown is fitted. Total treatment typically spans 3–6 months.

At Wimpole Dental, implants including the crown start from £2,950, itemised in writing before anything begins. Longevity varies with individual factors — particularly gum health and smoking — which is why every implant plan includes a maintenance programme.

Disclaimer

This article is for general educational information and does not replace a personal diagnosis or treatment plan. Dental advice should be based on a clinical examination with a GDC-registered professional. If you have pain, swelling, trauma, or signs of infection, seek urgent care promptly. Treatment options and outcomes vary according to individual clinical factors.