Question 1

I'm not sure if I am eligible for an implant, how do I find out?

Accepted Answer

The first step in your implant journey is a telephone call with our treatment coordinator, Lily. She has an abundance of experience working with different implant surgeons and will be able to give you an indication as to whether an implant is possible. If in doubt, Lily will speak to our implant surgeon to give you as precise an answer as possible. We cannot guarantee that an implant is possible until you have had a thorough dental examination and CBCT scan.

Question 2

I have been told I have gum disease, can I still have an implant?

Accepted Answer

Gum disease doesn’t rule out the possibility of an implant. The main concern is the risk of bone loss around the implant resulting in a shorter lifespan. We want every implant to last as long as it can and so our implant surgeon will advise you on how best to get your gum disease stable prior to starting the treatment.

Question 3

I smoke/vape, can I still have an implant?

Accepted Answer

Smoking/vaping increase the risk of gum disease and also impair the healing ability within the mouth. The concern with this is implant healing and then long term bone health around the implant. We do not say no to patients that smoke, but we warn them that their implants are less likely to heal properly, less likely to last long term, and anyone that smokes or vapes will lose some of the guarantees that we provide with treatment. It is always best to quit smoking/vaping entirely before you begin your implant journey

Question 4

Will my medications have an impact on a dental implant?

Accepted Answer

Most medications do not have detrimental effects on implants once they are healed. Some medications do however impact the healing process of dental implants. Medications that are a concern are bone medications, steroids, and cancer medications/therapy. Our implant surgeon will discuss your medical history in detail to ensure that you are fully aware of any risks. If there is a risk that cannot be controlled then it may be that an implant is not possible. Mark will discuss alternative options that would be suitable.

Question 5

I have been diagnosed with certain diseases or cancer, can I still have an implant?

Accepted Answer

Very much like the medication question above, most diseases do not have an impact on implant dentistry. There are however some that will affect healing, some that affect bone health long term, and some that may get worse with implant and surgical dentistry. Our implant surgeon will discuss these in depth so that you understand any risks.

Question 6

How painful is having a dental implant?

Accepted Answer

It is a lot less than most people think. The two main stages that require a healing phase are extraction and then implant placement. For extractions, patients can return to work later that day or the next. Typical painkillers like Paracetamol are usually sufficient for pain management. After your implant placement it is likely that you will have less post operative pain than when the tooth was extracted. We advise 3-4 days away from people as you may have some swelling that draws the attention of coworkers/family members/the public. We provide a post operative information pack with painkillers, gels and mouthwash that will help get back to work as soon as possible. You will likely feel comfortable working from home, doing jobs around the house or going on a walk.

Question 7

Are all of the appointments done at Regent Street Dental?

Accepted Answer

Our implant surgeon, Mark, takes referrals from several practices in the local area. Some dentists are qualified to do parts of the treatment and others may not be. If your dentist or dental practice has someone who is qualified then Mark will only do the portion of work that your practice can’t. Your consultation letter will lay out each appointment and which practice will be providing the treatment. If you are a patient of Regent Street Dental, then all of your work will be carried out by Mark.

Question 8

Implants are a large investment, can I spread the cost?

Accepted Answer

Although we as a practice provide finance for most dental treatment, we do not provide this for implant treatment. Within the UK dental profession, we have seen and heard too many cases where patients have run into considerable debt trying to pay off large treatment costs. Instead, we use a payment structure of 40/40/20 whereby you will pay 40% of the total cost as a deposit prior to treatment, 40% when the implant is placed, and 20% on your final appointment when your implant crown has been fitted.

Question 9

I’m quite anxious at the dentist, is there anything else that you can do to help?

Accepted Answer

Our implant clinical team is a very compassionate and caring set of people. They are there to provide you with the treatment you need but also ensure that you are as comfortable and settled as possible. Dental anxiety is a very common occurrence, which is why we also offer dental sedation. This is provided by our sedation dentist, Dr Kath Stahl, who works alongside our implant team. Click the sedation link to learn more about this treatment option.

Question 10

What are the risks of implant treatment?

Accepted Answer

As with any medical or dental treatment, there are risks. The majority of these are minimised by extensive clinical training within our implant team, meticulous planning, high quality assessment with 3D radiographs, and the use of surgical guides custom made to each patient. Our implant surgeon will discuss each risk that is applicable to you on an individual basis. Many of these you may expect, such as some post operative pain, swelling and the need for a little bit of time off work. All risks that apply to your case will be included in your implant consultation letter.

Question 11

I travel a lot, how will this impact my implant journey?

Accepted Answer

We provide implant treatment for patients that never leave the county and patients that live permanently abroad. Our implant surgeon will set minimum and maximum healing times between certain stages of your treatment. We will plan the stages accordingly based on your diary. This doesn't mean you have to have planned every trip for the next 12 months, it just means that you need to let us know as far ahead as you can so we can stage the treatment appropriately.

Question 12

Why should I choose Regent Street Dental?

Accepted Answer

The majority of the reasons that you should consider us at Regent Street Dental are written in the implant pages of our website. You will find many more reasons once you meet us. There are so many implant surgeons and implant teams around the area and so it is worth spending the time to research each one prior to considering that practice. We are proud that so many patients choose us to undergo their first and subsequent implant journeys. We would like you to feel comfortable, trusting and assured to choose our implant team at Regent Street Dental.

Frequently asked questions