If you have missing teeth, you may be thinking about replacing them to improve the way you look. Replacing missing teeth can also help to keep your other teeth healthy, as well as helping you to eat more comfortably and speak more clearly.

Replacing missing teeth can help you smile with confidence, eat more comfortably and keep your mouth and teeth healthy.

A dental implant is a metal rod (titanium or titanium alloy) that your dentist will place in your jawbone. It holds a false tooth (or teeth) in place. Over several months, the bone of your jaw will fuse with the metal rod. Individual teeth, dentures or bridges can be screwed or clipped onto the implant. You may have to wait up to six months before false teeth can be screwed onto the implanted metal rod. This is to allow healing and for the rod to fuse securely to your jawbone.

Dentures and bridges that are supported by successful implants tend to be very secure. If you look after your dental implants they can last a long time.

Having an implant is a surgical procedure, usually done under local anaesthetic. You need to have healthy gums, and if you smoke, your dentist may not recommend implants as it can affect the success of your treatment. It’s also very important that you look after your implant, cleaning and flossing as you would with your natural teeth.

Ask your dentist if implants might be a suitable treatment option for you, or see our dedicated topic page on dental implants.