Professional Tooth Implants for North Finchley Patients

Dental implants are the standard option for replacing missing teeth and suit most adults in good health. Consider this treatment if you have one or more missing teeth due to injury, decay, or gum disease and want a fixed long lasting solution. They are especially helpful if you want to avoid altering healthy adjacent teeth, as with a traditional bridge. You may find removable dentures uncomfortable or inconvenient. A key requirement is enough jawbone density to support the implant, assessed with a 3D scan during your visit. Implants show a high success rate, with studies indicating about 90 to 95 percent still functioning after 10 to 15 years.

The implant process is multi stage and typically lasts four to nine months. First, you have an initial 60 minute consultation with a 3D CBCT scan to plan placement. If a tooth needs removal or a bone graft is needed, this happens first, followed by a healing period of 3 to 4 months. The implant placement itself is a straightforward surgery of 60 to 90 minutes under local anaesthetic. The titanium post sits in the jawbone and the gum is stitched. Then a healing phase called osseointegration begins, where the bone fuses with the implant. This takes 3 to 6 months. Finally, after healing, you return for a 30 to 45 minute appointment to fit the final crown. A recent patient from North Finchley, a 55 year old man who lost a molar, finished in 6 months. After an initial scan showed good bone density, we moved straight to implant placement. He was able to eat all his favourite foods again and reported minimal discomfort.

Recovery is a key part of success. For the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery expect some mild discomfort, swelling, and possibly minor bruising. This is managed with over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen. We suggest applying ice packs to your cheek for 10 minutes at a time on the first day to reduce swelling. Stick to a soft food diet for the first week with soups, yogurt, and smoothies. Avoid smoking and alcohol as they slow healing. Keep the area clean with the chlorhexidine mouthwash we provide, but avoid brushing the surgical site for about a week. You have a follow up appointment 7 to 10 days after surgery to check healing and remove stitches. Contact our practice during office hours if you experience increasing pain after day 4, a fever, or persistent bleeding.

While implants often work well, they are not the only option. A fixed bridge uses crowns on adjacent teeth to support a false tooth. This is usually faster (2 to 3 weeks) but requires grinding down healthy tooth structure, which we prefer to avoid. A removable partial denture is the most budget friendly option. It is less stable than a fixed solution, needs removal for cleaning, and can affect speech and eating. A resin bonded bridge is another conservative option that does not need as much prep of neighbouring teeth but may not be as durable long term. We will discuss the pros and cons during your consultation to find the best fit for your needs and budget.

To help you choose, ask the right questions whether you meet with us or another practice in North London. Inquire about the dentist's experience, for example how many implants they place each year and their personal success rate. Ask what the quoted price includes, and check if it covers the consultation, 3D scans, the implant, the abutment, the final crown, and follow up visits. Inquire about the need for additional procedures like bone grafting which adds to cost. Also ask about the brand of implant and what guarantees are offered if the implant fails to integrate. Finally request before and after photos of cases similar to yours.

At our private practice in Finchley, the cost for a single dental implant starts from £2,500. This is a guide price and the final fee depends on the complexity of your case. The fee covers the surgical placement of the titanium implant, the 3D CBCT scan for planning, all necessary appointments, and the final abutment. The final porcelain crown is a separate cost and will be detailed in your written treatment plan. Additional procedures like bone grafting, if required, start from around £400. We are a private practice and do not offer NHS treatment. We do accept patients with private dental insurance plans from Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. We can provide all necessary documentation to claim.