Dental Implants

Dental implants are a highly successful, permanent solution for replacing one or more missing teeth.

They’re strong, hard-wearing, and designed to look and feel just like natural teeth, and can last for many years if you look after them well.

At Ibbott&Co Dental Clinic, we only use Straumann dental implants; one of the two leading manufacturers, backed by over 30 years of clinical data. We provide dental implants for patients across Wadhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Durgates, and the surrounding area.

What are dental implants?

We always recommend replacing missing teeth for many reasons. Firstly, your jawbone is strengthened by your teeth, and when you lose a tooth, your jawbone can start to shrink. Over time, this can result in your face ageing quicker than it would if you had all of your teeth.

Gaps in your teeth can also cause the remaining teeth to shift position. These gaps can also trap food and be difficult to clean, meaning you can be at risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease.

Another important reason for replacing missing teeth is to boost your self-esteem. When you have gaps within your smile, you can often feel the need to cover your mouth when you speak or smile. Dental implants will allow you to eat and smile with confidence.

But don’t just take our word for it! You can read our patient testimonials here.

What does dental implant treatment involve?

A dental implant is made up of three parts: the implant itself (a titanium post that replaces the tooth root), the abutment (a connector), and the crown (the visible replacement tooth). Treatment typically starts with a thorough assessment, including X-rays, to check bone health and plan your implant. The implant is then placed and left to heal and fuse with the jawbone, before your abutment and custom-made crown are fitted. 

We also have a comprehensive blog on dental implants if you want to continue reading up on the process in more detail.

How do I know if I need a dental implant?

If you’re struggling with one or more missing teeth and want a long-term solution, dental implants are worth considering. Generally speaking, most people who are missing teeth are candidates, but it’s important that you’re in good health, as some medical conditions can affect the success rate of the procedure. Your dentist will check your bone density and gum health as part of your assessment to confirm whether you’re a good candidate.

If you are a smoker, it is strongly recommended that you stop, as it can have a huge impact on the healing process and success of the dental implant. Before going ahead with the procedure, our dental team will discuss your medical history in detail to help decide if you are a good candidate.

Weighing up your options

If you’re missing one or more teeth, dental implants are just one of several ways to restore your smile, alongside dentures and bridges. Each comes with its own trade-offs, so it’s worth understanding the options before deciding what’s right for you.

Dentures are usually the most affordable option and can be added to easily in the future, though acrylic dentures can feel bulky, and even chrome dentures (a slimmer, sturdier option) come at a higher cost.

Bridges use your neighbouring teeth to support a replacement tooth. A fixed bridge is strong and durable, though it does require some adjustment of the surrounding teeth. A Maryland bridge is a gentler option that preserves more of the neighbouring teeth, though it isn’t suitable everywhere in the mouth.

Dental implants involve more upfront treatment, but they’re the only solution that replaces the tooth root as well as the crown – helping to maintain jawbone strength and give you a natural look, feel, and bite that lasts. Not replacing a missing tooth, on the other hand, can lead to its own problems over time, including shifting teeth and bite changes.

Not sure which option suits you best? Our team will talk you through the pros and cons for your individual case: get in touch to book a consultation.

How long do dental implants last?

With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, dental implants can last 15-25 years, and many last a lifetime. Studies show success rates of over 95% at the 10-year mark, making them one of the most reliable ways to replace a missing tooth. Their lifespan depends largely on how well you care for them, just like your natural teeth.

Caring for your implant afterwards

After your implant is placed, you’ll be free to go home once you’re ready, though it’s worth resting until the anaesthetic wears off; this can take a few hours.

Most people are back to their normal routine within a day, though it’s best to avoid anything too strenuous for a few days. Some light bleeding in the first day or two is completely normal; gentle pressure with a damp gauze should help this settle, but do contact us if it doesn’t ease off.

In the days that follow:

• Stick to soft foods for at least a week
• Keep your mouth as clean as possible, and rinse with your recommended mouthwash three to four times a day from 24 hours after treatment
• Take any prescribed antibiotics as directed
• Use over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if needed

A few things to avoid in the meantime: hot food and drinks for the first 24 hours, straws or e-cigarettes, touching the implant with your fingers or tongue, alcohol and smoking for at least two weeks, and wearing any dentures that cover the area.

If you have any questions about your recovery, please get in touch with the team.

What will happen if I have a dental implant at Ibbott&Co. Dental Clinic?

Everybody is different and different patients will have different treatment needs, but this is a rough outline of what you might expect if you come to see us for a dental implant.

The comprehensive dental assessment.

First of all, you will see one of our dentists in Wadhurst for a comprehensive assessment. The fee for this is £149 and one of our front desk team will ask you to pay this in advance when your appointment is arranged. We would like to take a digital scan of your teeth at this visit as well as x-ray pictures. For straightforward dental implant cases, we will refer you, in the house, to Dr Tighe for the placement of your dental implant. If your treatment is any more complex, it might be necessary to have a consultation with Dr. Tighe first (with a fee of £195). Please note that for patients who need to have a tooth removed it is usually necessary to wait for a minimum of 8 to 12 weeks before it is possible to place the dental implant.

Your personal, written treatment dental plan.

We will provide you with a written treatment plan detailing all aspects of the proposed treatment along with the timing of appointments and associated costs.

Placement of the dental implant by Dr Tighe.

This is done using a local anaesthetic and usually takes around 45 minutes. The implant is then left to heal (or to integrate with the bone in more technical terms). We usually leave this healing process to occur for roughly 12 weeks. If the implant is in an area of the mouth which is not important to you cosmetically, we don’t usually require a temporary tooth replacement but this can be arranged for a more visible gap.

Review of the dental implant at our Wadhurst dental practice.

This is usually carried out 8 weeks after the dental implant has been placed, just to check that everything has healed nicely and that the implant is firm.

Scan or impression for the implant crown.

At Ibbott&Co we now use a digital intraoral scanner to build up a 3D digital image of your mouth. This is then sent to our master technician who will build the bespoke crown for your implant.

Two weeks after this appointment, the final dental crown will be fitted.

The whole dental implant process, from start to finish, could be completed in as little as 3½ months. It’s really important that your dental implant is continually monitored by having regular dental health assessments and hygienist visits at our clinic in Wadhurst.

We would be delighted to have you as a regular patient at our practice, but using your own dentist is absolutely fine as long as your mouth is being looked after on a regular basis.

For answers to more common questions about dental implants and booking your consultation, you can visit our FAQs page.

Meet the Surgeon

Mr John Tighe has experience of nearly 20 years in dental implant placements to rehabilitate patients with missing teeth including those requiring bone grafting.

View Mr John Tighe’s profile