Dental Implants in Thames Ditton

Most healthy adults with enough jawbone are suitable for dental implants. Things that can affect suitability include limited bone (which a bone graft can sometimes address), gum disease, uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking and certain medications. A thorough assessment, including scans and X-rays, is always carried out before any treatment is recommended. Being declined elsewhere is not necessarily a barrier: as a specialist prosthodontist, Dr Bravi assesses patients whose cases other practices have found complex. Book a check-up to find out where you stand.

Thames Restore is our specialist service for worn, broken, failing and missing teeth, led by Dr Theodora Bravi, a GDC-registered Specialist in Prosthodontics. It follows three steps: preserve natural teeth wherever predictably possible, restore damaged teeth, function and the bite, and replace a tooth only when it cannot be saved, including with implants where indicated. It starts with a Thames Restore assessment with Dr Bravi (£150), for complex cases and dentist referrals, so you understand your options before deciding how to proceed. If you are not sure whether you need it, start with a check-up.

Sometimes, yes. A broken, worn or infected tooth can often be rebuilt with a crown or onlay, or saved with root canal treatment by our specialist endodontist. If a tooth can be saved predictably, we explain that option before discussing replacing it. When a tooth cannot be saved, or saving it would not last, an implant, bridge or denture may be the better long-term choice. Your consultation sets out each option, with its timeline and fee.

Treatment begins with an examination, including scans and X-rays to check your bone and confirm suitability. A titanium implant is then placed in the jawbone under local anaesthetic. A healing period of typically three to six months follows, while the implant bonds with the surrounding bone (osseointegration). Once it has integrated, a connector called an abutment is attached and your custom crown, bridge or full-arch teeth are fitted, matched in colour and shape to your smile. Your implant dentist plans each case in full before treatment begins, so the implant position, bite and appearance are planned together.

With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, dental implants can last 15 to 25 years or more, and in many cases a lifetime. The titanium implant itself is designed to be permanent; the crown on top may need replacing after 10 to 15 years, as with any crown. Long-term success depends on careful cleaning around the implant, not smoking and attending regular hygiene and review appointments.

Both are fixed, natural-looking ways to replace a missing tooth, but they work differently. A bridge spans the gap by crowning the teeth either side, which means removing some healthy tooth structure. An implant stands on its own and does not affect the neighbouring teeth. Implants also help preserve the jawbone where the tooth was lost, which a bridge does not. For most patients with enough bone, an implant is the better long-term option. A bridge may suit you better where bone is limited, or where the neighbouring teeth already need crowns.

Implants are fixed and feel like natural teeth; dentures are removable and can move when you eat or speak. Implants help preserve the jawbone, while the bone under a denture continues to shrink over time, which can loosen the fit and change the shape of the face. If you already wear a denture, implant-retained dentures, where implants hold the denture securely in place, can make a real difference to comfort and how securely it stays in place. We discuss which suits you at your assessment.

All-on-4 replaces a full arch of upper or lower teeth with a fixed bridge supported by four implants. In suitable cases, a temporary set of fixed teeth is fitted on the same day the implants are placed. It is designed for people who have lost all or most of their teeth in one jaw and want a fixed alternative to a full denture. It needs careful case selection and planning, so suitability is assessed with scans and a full medical and dental review. At Thames, All-on-4 is carried out by Dr Amir Malek.

Often, yes. A bone graft can rebuild the area before an implant is placed, and the right implant choice and position can make the most of the bone you have. We assess this with scans at your consultation and explain your options, including alternatives if an implant is not the right choice. Bone grafting is done here at Thames.

Implant placement is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. Afterwards, most patients describe the discomfort as similar to or less than having a tooth removed, and it is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. Swelling and mild bruising are common for the first two to three days. Most people return to normal activities within a day or two. Avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol for the first few days, and clean the area gently while it heals.

Implant placement is carried out under local anaesthetic. If you feel anxious, tell us at your assessment and we will talk through ways to help you feel comfortable.

Dental implants are a well-established treatment, but as with any surgery, results cannot be guaranteed. The main risks are infection, inflammation of the gum and bone around the implant (peri-implantitis) and, less commonly, an implant that does not bond with the bone. Smoking, gum disease and poor cleaning raise these risks. Careful planning, treating any gum problems first, and regular hygiene and review appointments afterwards all help reduce them. We explain the risks that apply to you before you decide.

Yes. 0% finance is available through our finance partner, so you can spread the cost of implant treatment over a set period without interest, subject to status. With implants starting from £2,500, many patients find this makes treatment more manageable. Finance is discussed at your assessment, with no obligation to proceed, and you receive a written fee before any treatment begins.

Yes. Thames Dental & Skin is in Thames Ditton and provides dental implant assessments and treatment for patients from Kingston upon Thames, Esher, Surbiton, Walton-on-Thames, Molesey, Hinchley Wood, Long Ditton and Claygate. As a specialist-led practice, we also accept referrals from dentists across Surrey. Book a check-up to begin, and you will leave with a clear plan and fee.