Am I suitable for dental implants? A guide for patients in Upminster

Written by Dr Vishal Patel, Dental Implant Surgeon, MSc Dental Implantology, GDC No. 243883

Quick answer

Am I suitable for dental implants? Most adults with one or more missing teeth can be considered for dental implants. Suitability mainly depends on having enough healthy jawbone, healthy gums and general health to a level that allows a minor surgical procedure. At Church View Dental, the dental implant assessment Upminster patients book costs £95 with a CT scan and is redeemable against treatment - giving you a clear answer on whether implants are right for you, and what your treatment journey could look like.

Key takeaways
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• Enough jawbone and healthy gums are the two biggest factors in suitability
• If bone has shrunk, bone grafts from £850 or a sinus lift from £750 can often make implants possible
• Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and some medicines can slow healing, so they're discussed before treatment
• There’s no upper age limit, and younger patients can be considered once the jaw has stopped growing
• An implant consultation with a CT scan is £95, redeemable against treatment

Am I suitable for dental implants, and who is a good candidate?

A dental implant is a small titanium post placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth, with a custom-made crown fitted on top. 

You’re likely to be a good candidate if most of these apply to you.

• You're missing one or more teeth, or have a tooth that needs to come out
• You have enough healthy bone in your jaw to hold an implant
• You have healthy gums, or are happy to have gum disease treated first
• You're generally in good health
• You're willing to keep up good brushing, cleaning and regular check-ups

The dental implants Upminster patients have with us can replace a single tooth, several teeth or a whole arch, so they suit a wide range of people, from someone who has lost a tooth in an accident to someone who's had dentures for years and wants something fixed.

Signs you might need a dental implant

An implant may be an option if any of these feel familiar.

• You have a gap from a missing tooth that bothers you when you eat or smile
• You've been told a damaged or broken tooth can't be saved
• Your denture feels loose, rubs or makes eating difficult
• A bridge has failed and needs replacing
• You're avoiding certain foods because chewing on one side is uncomfortable
• The teeth next to a gap have started to drift or tip
• You've noticed your face looks slightly different where teeth are missing
• You'd like a fixed replacement rather than something you take out at night

What can affect your suitability?

These are the questions of implant candidacy Upminster patients ask us most. None of them automatically rules you out, but each one is something your implant dentist will look at carefully at your consultation.

Not enough bone

When a tooth has been missing for a while, the bone underneath gradually shrinks because it’s no longer being used. If there isn’t enough bone left to hold an implant, it can often be rebuilt first with a bone graft or sinus lift. For patients with severe bone loss in the upper jaw, zygomatic implants, which anchor into the cheekbone, can be an option where standard implants aren’t.

Gum disease

Healthy gums are essential because gum disease can affect the bone and tissue around an implant in the same way it affects natural teeth. If you have gum disease, we’ll treat it and get it stable before implant treatment begins. Our gum disease treatment page explains how.

Smoking

Smoking reduces blood flow to the gums and slows healing, which raises the chance of an implant not bonding properly with the bone. Can smokers have implants? Yes, but we’ll talk honestly about the risks, and cutting down or stopping around the time of treatment gives your implant the best chance.

Diabetes and other health conditions

Dental implants and diabetes usually go together well, as long as the diabetes is well controlled. Poorly controlled diabetes, some heart conditions and treatments such as radiotherapy to the head and neck can affect healing, so we’ll ask about your medical history in detail and, where needed, speak to your GP or specialist.

Medicines

Some medicines, including certain bone-strengthening drugs and blood thinners, need to be taken into account when planning implant surgery. Bring a list of everything you take to your consultation.

Age

There’s no upper age limit for dental implants. What matters is your bone and general health rather than your age, and many people have implants placed well into later life. For younger patients, implants are only placed once the jaw has finished growing, usually from the late teens onwards.

What happens at your implant consultation?

This is the implant consultation Upminster patients book first, and it’s where you find out whether implants are right for you.

• We talk through what you’d like - whether you’re missing one tooth or several, we listen to what’s bothering you and what you’d like to change.
• We check your teeth and gums - your dentist looks at the health of your gums and the teeth either side of any gaps.
• We take a CT scan - a 3D scan shows exactly how much bone you have and where, so we can plan precisely rather than guess.
• We go through your options and costs - you’ll get a clear plan, including whether you’d need a bone graft first, how long treatment would take and what it would cost.

The consultation and CT scan cost £95, which is fully redeemable against your treatment if you decide to go ahead.

Every treatment plan starts with your mouth and oral health. We assess the bone, gums and neighbouring teeth before planning implant placement, because careful planning is one of the biggest factors in long-term success.

How long does implant treatment take?

For a single implant, treatment usually takes a few months from start to finish. The implant is placed under local anaesthetic, and over the following months it bonds with the bone to form a secure foundation. A temporary tooth may be fitted during this time, so you’re not left with a gap. Once healing is complete, your custom-made crown is fitted. If you need a bone graft before implants are placed, that adds a few months of healing. Sedation is also available if you’re nervous about treatment.

What if implants aren’t right for me?

If implants aren’t suitable, or you’d rather not have them, there are other good ways to replace missing teeth. A bridge uses the teeth either side of a gap for support, and dentures can replace several teeth at once. Implant-retained dentures are a middle ground, using a small number of implants to hold a denture firmly in place. We’ll talk you through how each compares, so you can choose what suits you.

How much do dental implants cost in Upminster?

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At Church View Dental, a single dental implant starts from £2,500 and All-on-4 fixed teeth start from £17,000 per arch. Any bone grafting Upminster patients need first starts from £850, and a sinus lift from £750. You can spread the cost with our 0% finance options, and you’ll find all our fees on our fees and finance page.

The final cost depends on your individual treatment plan, including any additional procedures required. We offer finance options, including 0% interest over 12 months for eligible applicants, subject to terms and status. You can see our current fees and finance information on our website.

Book your implant consultation

If you’re still asking yourself ‘am I suitable for dental implants?’, an implant consultation is the simplest way to find out. 

Book online, call us on 01708 220563, or visit us at 34a Station Road, Upminster, a short walk from Upminster station. You can read more about all our dental implant treatments here.