How much are dental implants in the UK?

How much are dental implants in the UK?

If you’re considering getting a dental implant, there’s a lot to think about, including whether the treatment is right for you, choosing a dental practice and the cost of the procedure. At the Eye & Dental Clinic, we are experts in perfect smiles, and we know everything there is to know about cosmetic dental procedures.

Here, we discuss what dental implants are, the benefits of them, and how much they will cost you, along with other dental procedures that you may be interested in.

What is a dental implant?

Dental implants are rapidly becoming the most popular, natural-looking way of replacing missing teeth, as no other dental treatment comes close to the results a dental implant has. The design of a dental implant is based on the design of a natural tooth, which includes two main parts: the crown and the root.

For a natural look, the dental implant is carefully crafted to match the colour and shape of the missing tooth, so it feels like part of your teeth like all the rest. The implant part of the procedure replaces the root and is embedded within your gums. If you look after it properly, your dental implant should last a lifetime, and the procedure won’t need to be repeated.

The benefits of getting a dental implant

There’s a reason why so many people turn to dental implants to conceal gaps and missing teeth. Here are some of the benefits of getting a dental implant:

• Longevity.
• Strength (matches that of a real tooth).
• Comfort.
• Natural appearance.
• Ability to eat and chew anything, just like a natural tooth.
• Ease of cleaning is just like any other tooth.

The great thing about dental implants is that whilst there may be a short adjustment period while you get used to having a tooth where a gap used to be, it won’t be something you will notice every day because the implant will act just as your natural teeth do. There’s no need to remove it to clean; only eat certain foods because of the difficulty of chewing, and you won’t need to worry about it breaking or becoming loose.

The difference between dental implants, crowns and bridges

A crown covers existing teeth to hide imperfections on a tooth, making it a solution for a tooth that is still there but is broken, weak or worn down, and a filling is no longer an option.

They are also routinely used to strengthen a tooth following a root canal treatment. Created from porcelain or metal, crowns are made in a dental lab to your exact specifications. The restoration is then bonded over your existing tooth (literally ‘crowning’ it). Crowns are also used to secure a Dental Bridge in place.

A dental bridge hides the spaces in your smile caused by large gaps or missing teeth and consists of a prosthetic fitting secured at each end by a Crown. Even if your missing teeth are causing no discomfort, a dental bridge is highly recommended for preventing potential future problems.

These include bite distortion, caused by your remaining teeth shifting to fill the gap, and vulnerability to gum disease and jaw pain. Like Crowns, dental bridges are usually created from porcelain or precious metal and are an excellent fixed alternative to dentures.

Why choose a dental implant

Depending on your circumstances, you may have a choice, but the most effective course of treatment for a missing tooth is a dental implant. Because they feel like a natural tooth and they are rooted within your gums just like all others, there isn’t anything more complicated about looking after a dental implant than there is to taking care of your natural teeth.

Dental implants are strong and sturdy, so you can chew and eat whatever you like, unlike bridges and crowns, which sometimes make chewing certain things difficult or cause breakage. The appearance is the same as a natural tooth and feels the same, so you or anyone else won’t know that it isn’t your natural tooth.

A big difference between bridges and dental implants is that implant placement is the only one that replaces not just the crown part of the tooth, but the root too, meaning it is embedded into the gums. Placing an artificial tooth root means that the bone in that area is not reabsorbed by the body, as is the case for bridges. This avoids the likelihood of teeth movement and changes to the shape of the face.

How dental implants are fitted

A dental implant is created to match the natural shape and colour of your own teeth, and then to fit the dental implant, a hole is drilled into your gum through the bone. The dental implant metal post will be placed in this hole and will act as the root to secure your new tooth to your mouth. The dental implant is put deep within the bone, so there is very little chance of it becoming loose.

Don’t worry, you won’t feel any pain as most patients are put under sedation and a local anaesthetic is applied to the area. Your dentist will make sure you are comfortable throughout.

After the healing period of the implant, which is around 2-6 months, an abutment will be screwed in, which is what the tooth implant will be attached to. Don’t worry, you will be fitted with a temporary cap while your gum is healing from surgery.

Before all of this takes place, you will have multiple appointments with the dentist, one of which will include taking X-rays to check the quality of the bone that your implant will be attached to. If the bone is suitable, then you will be given the okay to go ahead with the treatment, and if not, you will be offered an alternative.

What is the cost of a dental implant?

The cost of a dental implant varies, but generally speaking, a dental implant in the UK will cost between £1,500 and £2,500 per tooth. For a more accurate quote, contact the Eye & Dental Clinic, where we will book you in for an appointment for a consultation where we can talk you through the process, benefits and costs.

Eye & Dental Clinic

At the Eye & Dental Clinic, we are experts in perfecting smiles, and that includes dental implants. But, we offer more than just that; we’re here to fit veneers, carry out composite bonding and fix dental emergencies, to name just a few of our treatment options. To learn more about us and how we run the surgery, have a look at our cancellations and missed appointments policy and other procedures.

Emergency appointments

You can visit urgent care, but you will probably experience lengthy wait times and be advised to see an emergency dentist. Visiting us means you’re cutting out the wait and dealing with the problem head-on, meaning we will help you with your dental emergency as soon as possible.

Getting emergency dental care can be challenging if you’re in pain and unsure of what to do. Many people end up going to urgent care because they think it’s their only option, but private dentists like the Eye & Dental Clinic are on hand to help you when you need us the most.

Book an appointment for emergency treatment.

Other cosmetic treatments

If you don’t think a dental implant is the right treatment for you, maybe you’re looking for something to cover imperfections like veneers or composite bonding. Composite bonding costs as little as £200-£300 per tooth, making it an affordable solution for people who want veneers without the hefty price tag of porcelain. There are two terms used that describe the same procedure: composite bonding and dental bonding.

The cost of traditional veneers, made out of porcelain, is substantially higher, at around £800 per tooth, sometimes more, but the benefits of porcelain compared to composite resin outweigh the costs, not to mention the longevity.

For more information about cosmetic procedures, contact us.

So, if you’re interested in getting dental implants, it’ll set you back anywhere between £1,500 and £2,500 per implant, but this will vary depending on your location in the UK and the surgery you choose.

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