Dental Implants for Finchley Central Residents

Dental implants suit you when you have one or more missing teeth from injury, decay, or gum disease. They offer a fixed, permanent solution that feels and works like a natural tooth without altering adjacent healthy teeth. They are also useful if you worry about bone loss after losing a tooth. A Finchley Central patient recently chose an implant for a molar lost years ago; our 3D scan showed there was enough bone, and the implant now prevents further bone loss and restores chewing ability.

The process is straightforward and carefully planned. First, you have a 60 minute consultation with a 3D CBCT scan to assess your jawbone and plan the placement. The implant surgery follows, lasting 60 to 90 minutes under local anaesthetic to position the titanium post. You may feel pressure but not pain. Then comes a healing period of 3 to 6 months for the implant to fuse with the bone, a phase called osseointegration. Finally, you return for two short appointments over 2 to 3 weeks to place the final custom crown. The full timeline from start to finish is typically 4 to 7 months.

Your comfort comes first. In the first 2 to 3 days you may have mild to moderate tenderness and some swelling, which can be managed with standard pain relief and ice. Stick to soft foods like soup, yogurt, and smoothies for the first week to avoid stressing the area. Rinse gently with salt water after the first day to keep the area clean. Avoid heavy exercise for 48 hours. Most people return to normal activities within a day or two. A patient from nearby Muswell Hill had an implant placed on a Thursday and was back at work on Monday with only minor discomfort. Red flags: call during office hours if pain increases after day 4, you have a fever above 38 C, or you notice a bad taste from the site. For emergencies outside office hours, call 111.

While implants have a high long term success rate, other options exist. A fixed dental bridge is one alternative. It uses teeth on either side of the gap as anchors for a crown. This can be faster, often completed in 2 to 3 weeks, but it requires grinding healthy teeth, which goes against preserving natural tooth structure. Another option is a removable partial denture, which is usually more affordable but can feel less stable and needs removal for cleaning. We will review all pros and cons with you during your consultation.

We keep pricing clear from the start. Treatment in our Finchley practice begins at £2,500. This includes the surgical placement of the titanium implant, all necessary 3D CBCT scans for planning, and all follow up visits to monitor healing. The cost of the final restoration, the porcelain crown that attaches to the implant, is quoted separately as the design is chosen after healing. We are a private practice and do not offer NHS treatment, but we do accept plans from major insurers including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. A detailed cost breakdown is provided after your initial consultation.

To make a well informed choice whether you choose us or another provider in the Finchley area, ask the right questions. Here is what we suggest: what is your experience with dental implants, does the quoted price include the 3D scan, the surgery, and the final crown, what implant system do you use and what is its long term success rate, will I need a bone graft and what will that cost, what are the risks in my case, can I see before and after photos, and what insurance plans do you accept.