Dental Implants Explained: A Permanent Solution

Dental implants are a popular solution for missing teeth. They provide a permanent and natural-looking replacement, improving both function and aesthetics. Understanding the process can help you make an informed decision.

‍

What Are Dental Implants?

‍

Dental implants consist of a titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone, acting as a root for a replacement tooth. They are designed to fuse with the bone, providing a stable foundation.

‍

Benefits of Implants

‍

Implants offer numerous benefits, including improved speech, comfort, and oral health. They also prevent bone loss and maintain facial structure.

‍

Step two: the iTero Lumina scan

‍

Every new patient at Re-Ignite Dental gets a digital scan using our iTero Lumina, the latest generation of intraoral scanner. This is a small wand that captures a complete three-dimensional model of your teeth in a few minutes. There are no moulds, no impression material, and nothing to trigger a gag reflex.

‍

The scan serves several purposes. It creates a permanent digital record of your teeth that can be compared over time. It identifies issues that aren’t always visible to the eye, like early wear or subtle bite asymmetries. And it generates a smile simulation that gives you a preview of what your smile could look like with cosmetic treatment, if that’s a conversation you want to have.

‍

We scan every new patient regardless of whether they’re interested in cosmetic treatment. We don’t see it as upselling. We see it as creating a complete picture of your mouth that informs every decision from this point forward.

‍

Step three: x-rays where clinically needed

‍

X-rays are taken when they’re clinically necessary, not as a matter of routine. Dr Imran will explain why specific x-rays are being recommended and what they’ll show.

‍

Most commonly, this means small bitewing x-rays to check for decay between teeth, or a panoramic OPG x-ray if there’s a need to see the wider picture of your jaw and root structures. These are charged separately at £15 per dental x-ray or £75 for a panoramic.

‍

If your case is more complex, particularly for dental implant planning, we may refer you for a CBCT (cone beam) scan at a centre ten minutes from the practice. CBCT scans are also available and charged at £250. We’re bringing CBCT in-house in the coming months.

‍

Step four: the treatment coordinator consultation

‍

After your time with Dr Imran, you’ll spend 30 minutes with Nicole, our treatment coordinator. This is where the clinical conversation translates into a practical plan.

‍

Nicole will walk you through any treatment Imran has recommended, explain why each step is being suggested, and answer questions about cost, sequence and timing. She’ll show you the smile simulation if cosmetic options were discussed, and she’ll discuss finance with you if relevant. We offer 0% finance through Tabeo for up to 18 months, with longer terms available at 9.9% APR.

‍

The reason this stage exists is simple. Treatment decisions are easier to make when you’ve had time to absorb the clinical information without having to also process cost, timing and logistics at the same time. The split between “what’s going on” with Imran and “what happens next” with Nicole tends to make both conversations more useful.

‍

You leave with a written treatment plan, transparent pricing, and the time and space to make a decision.