Dental Implant FAQs
Direct answers to the implant questions we hear most, grouped four ways: suitability, materials, the procedure and recovery, and longevity and cost. The deeper treatments of each live on the implants pillar and the ceramic vs titanium guide, linked throughout.
Suitability
Am I too old for a dental implant?
Age itself is rarely the barrier; healing capacity, bone and general health are what matter, and we have placed implants successfully for patients in their nineties. The assessment answers it individually.
I've been told I don't have enough bone. Is that final?
Often not. 3D cone beam imaging frequently finds more usable bone than a flat X-ray suggested, and grafting can rebuild many deficient sites. A second opinion with proper imaging costs far less than living with a wrong 'no'.
Can I get an implant if I have gum disease?
After it is controlled, yes. Placing an implant into active periodontal disease repeats the history that lost the tooth; treating the gums first is non-negotiable and we say so upfront.
How soon after an extraction can an implant go in?
Immediate, early or delayed placement each have their indications depending on infection, bone and site. Your imaging decides; where extraction is planned with us, the implant pathway is designed before the tooth comes out.
Do smokers get implants?
Smoking measurably lowers success rates and we tell you the numbers honestly rather than refusing outright. Quitting or reducing around surgery meaningfully improves the odds, and your plan will say exactly that.
Materials
Ceramic or titanium: which is better?
Neither, universally. Titanium brings the longest evidence base and restorative flexibility; zirconia brings metal-free biocompatibility and superior aesthetics in thin gum tissue. The honest comparison, factor by factor, is on our Ceramic vs Titanium guide, and your site and health picture usually point one way.
How would I know if I react to titanium?
True titanium allergy is rare. Where your history of metal sensitivity raises the question, allergist-supported testing informs the choice before anything is placed; guessing in either direction is not a plan.
Is a zirconia implant strong enough for molars?
Modern two-piece zirconia systems are engineered and tested for posterior bite forces, and site-by-site suitability is part of planning. Where an individual site genuinely argues for titanium's properties, we say so.
Are the crowns metal-free too?
Yes; final crowns are ceramic regardless of the implant material, matched to your tooth colour.
Procedure and Recovery
Does implant surgery hurt?
Placement is done under local anaesthetic, with sedation options for anxious patients, and most patients report less discomfort than they expected, typically managed with ordinary pain relief for a few days.
How long from start to finished tooth?
Commonly three to six months: placement, an integration period while bone bonds to the implant, then the final crown. Some cases run faster, grafted cases slower; your written plan gives your timeline, not the brochure's.
What do I eat while it heals?
Soft foods near the site for the first days, then progressively normal; the temporary solution covers appearance meanwhile. Specific guidance comes with your surgery day instructions.
What can go wrong?
The honest list: infection, failure to integrate (uncommon, usually early and correctable with a redo), and long-term peri-implant gum disease if maintenance lapses. We quote our own protocols against each, and consent at SHDC means you heard the risks before the anaesthetic, not after.
Longevity and Cost
How long do implants last?
Published long-term survival is high and a well-maintained implant can reasonably be expected to serve for decades [CITATION at publish]; the crown may need renewal earlier, like any restoration. Hygiene visits and, for grinders, a night splint are the levers you control.
Why do implant prices vary so much between practices?
Component quality, imaging and planning depth, the surgeon's training, grafting needs and what the quote actually includes (temporary, final crown, follow-up). We quote all-inclusive stages in writing so comparisons are like-for-like. [RANGES BLOCKED on fee bands]
Is an implant worth it versus a bridge or denture?
An implant is the only option that replaces the root and preserves the bone, without cutting neighbouring teeth. Bridges and dentures have their legitimate cases, and the three-way comparison, costed, is part of every gap consultation. The pillar page carries the full comparison.
Will my health fund contribute?
Implant item numbers attract rebates under top-tier major dental with some funds; the gap varies widely. Itemised quotes with item numbers let you confirm before committing; HICAPS on site.