What is a Dental Implant?
If you’ve ever lost a tooth or are facing the possibility that you might have to lose one, your dentist might have mentioned the possibility of having a dental implant to fill the space. They’re mentioned often these days, and for good reason. But unless you’ve already looked into them, they can feel like a bit of a mystery. Is a dental implant just another type of false tooth? How does it actually work? What is exactly is involved?
We thought we’d take this opportunity to explain dental implants in simple terms, without all the technical jargon. By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear understanding of what a dental implant is and whether it’s the right solution for you and the space in your smile.
Here’s our Implant dentist, Keith, with a short explanation of what an implant is.
The basics
A dental implant is simply a way of replacing a missing tooth. But rather than sitting on the surface of the gum like a denture or being supported by nearby teeth like a bridge, an implant is placed directly into the jawbone, where it replaces the root of your missing tooth. This is hidden underneath your gum and can’t be seen in your mouth.
The implant itself is usually made of titanium. This is a material that is strong and that the body accepts well. Over time, the bone grows around it, this process is called osseointegration and it helps the implant stay securely in place.
Once the implant has settled in, a small connector (called an abutment) is attached to the top. Then a bespoke crown is fitted over it. The crown is the part you can see in your mouth – the tooth you can see when you smile or bite. It’s designed to match your natural teeth in shape and colour, so the end result looks and feels very natural.
Why not just use a denture or bridge?
Good question. There’s nothing wrong with traditional options like dentures or bridges. They’re still widely used and often work well. But implants bring a few key benefits that other treatments don’t always offer.
For starters, implants don’t rely on surrounding teeth for support. That means we don’t need to file down healthy teeth, which is sometimes necessary for a bridge.
They’re also fixed in place, so you don’t have to take them out at night or worry about them shifting during a meal. Some people find dentures difficult to tolerate as they can feel big and bulky in your mouth. Many of our patients tell us that not having to worry about their denture falling out when they’re out for a meal with friends is life-changing.
And because the implant is placed into the bone, it helps to keep the jawbone healthy. When a tooth is lost, the bone underneath can gradually shrink. Implants help stimulate the bone, which can prevent that sunken appearance of your face that sometimes comes with long-term tooth loss and can make you look older than you are.
What does the treatment involve?
Implant treatment happens in stages. It’s not something that’s done in a single visit, and for good reason—it needs time to heal and settle properly.
First, we carry out a full assessment. This includes checking the health of your gums, the amount of bone in your jaw, and your overall dental condition. In some cases, if the bone has already started to recede, a bone graft may be needed first to build up enough support for the implant.
The implant is then placed into the bone under local anaesthetic. The procedure itself is usually straightforward and shouldn’t be painful, although some discomfort afterwards is normal for a day or two. If you’re nervous about having dental treatment, you might prefer to have the implants placed with sedation, which we can do in the practice.
After that, the healing period begins. This is when the bone starts to grow around the implant. It can take a few months, but it’s important not to rush it.
Once the implant is secure, we fit the abutment and then attach the crown. The result is a tooth that looks and functions just like the one you lost, or in some cases, even better.
Can you spot which tooth is the implant?
Are implants suitable for everyone?
The ideal candidate for a dental implant is someone with healthy gums, enough bone to support the implant, and good oral hygiene habits.
Certain conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, smoking or untreated gum disease can affect healing and increase the risk of implant failure. That doesn’t necessarily rule you out, but it does mean we’ll need to take extra care in planning and talk through the risks honestly.
That’s why the first step is always a proper consultation. At Coatbridge Family Dental Care, we take the time to understand your dental history, exactly what your looking for and what’s going to work best for you.
One tooth or several?
Implants aren’t just for single teeth. They can also be used to support bridges or stabilise dentures. If you’re missing several teeth in a row, or even a full set, there are options to use implants to hold a larger restoration in place. It’s all about finding the right balance between function, appearance and cost.
If you have a denture that keeps moving or falling out when you eat you might be interested in our blog all about how implants can secure your dentures and stop them from moving.
What do dental implants feel like?
After everything has healed, most people forget the implant is even there. It feels just like a natural tooth when chewing or talking, and you can brush and floss it like you would with your other teeth. There’s no need for special cleaning solutions or adhesives.
That said, care is still important. While implants don’t decay, the gum around them can still become inflamed if plaque builds up. That’s why regular hygiene appointments and good daily brushing are essential to keeping the implant healthy long-term.
Benefits of dental implants
Our patients tell us that their lives really benefit from dental implants.From having the confidence to smile again to being able to go out for dinner with friends. But don’t just take our word for it, watch some of our patient stories.
Final thoughts about dental implants
A dental implant is more than just a false tooth, it’s a long-term replacement that becomes part of your mouth in a very real way. It’s not always the quickest or cheapest option, but for many people, it’s the most natural-feeling and stable solution available.
Whether you’re missing one tooth or several, it’s worth exploring whether implants might be right for you. And if they’re not, there are always other options we can talk through.
At Coatbridge Family Dental Care, we believe in giving you the facts and helping you make the choice that feels right. No pressure, no rushing. Just the information you need to make an informed decision about your smile.
To arrange a FREE consultation with our patient care team call us on 01236 421103 or contact us.
Lesley has the final word
We thought we’d let our patient Lesley have the final word on dental implants by having her tell you about her experience of implants at Coatbridge Family Dental Care.
Blog post written on 4th July 2025
(Please note prices and information are correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change. Please contact us on 01236 421103 or info@coatbridgedentist.com for the most up-to-date pricing and information)