FAQ: your questions about implants and bone grafts

Anaesthesia aims to prevent pain during the procedure. Discomfort, swelling or bruising may follow; how marked they are depends in particular on whether a graft is also done. You will be given a prescription and suitable instructions.

Age alone does not decide. The assessment takes into account general health, medication, oral health and your ability to keep up hygiene and follow-up.

A graft, a sinus lift or an adapted plan may be discussed. The best option depends on the anatomy and the future teeth; it cannot be decided without an assessment.

This is possible in some favourable situations. Immediate placement after extraction and immediate loading are two separate decisions. A tooth fitted on the same day is usually temporary.

Allow time for the tissues to heal, the implants to integrate and the prosthesis to be made. The timeline may be longer when bone reconstruction is needed. A personalised timeframe is explained to you before you start.

If your dentist referred you for surgery, the prosthetic part is done by your dentist. The plan is coordinated so that the position of the implants matches the planned restoration.

They require an individual assessment. Smoking increases the risks of poor healing and failure; poorly controlled diabetes may change the indication and the timeline. Mention them at the consultation.

No, never on your own initiative. Bring the complete list, especially anticoagulants and anti-resorptive treatments. The surgeon organises any necessary adjustment with your prescribing doctors.

Yes. Failure to integrate, infection or a late complication may lead to further treatment or removal of the implant. The risks and alternatives are explained before surgery.

Imaging is chosen to answer the questions of the assessment. CBCT provides useful three-dimensional information when its benefit justifies the exposure; the field of view and protocol are adapted.

The quote should identify the planned stages: assessment, surgery, any graft and restoration. If the prosthesis is made by your dentist, ask for their quote too so you understand the overall cost.

At Face Clinic Waterloo, requests are made by WhatsApp message, with an appointment within 3 weeks, except for urgent cases. For CHIREC consultations, Rosa and the hospital secretariats are listed on the Contact page.

In a meta-analysis of 18 studies, about 96% of implants were still in place after 10 years. The crown may need maintenance or replacement over time. Hygiene, not smoking and regular check-ups all matter for how long it lasts.

It depends on the condition of the neighbouring teeth. If they are healthy, an implant avoids drilling them down. If they already have large restorations, or if surgery is not wanted, a bridge can be a good choice. Both options are compared at the assessment.

It is inflammation of the tissues around the implant that leads to loss of the bone supporting it. It often starts as inflammation of the gum, which is reversible if treated early. Smoking, a history of periodontitis and insufficient cleaning increase the risk.

It depends on your risk: often once or twice a year with your dentist or periodontist, sometimes more often if you have a history of periodontitis. European guidelines stress these regular check-ups to detect inflammation early.

Not always. For three missing teeth side by side, a bridge on two implants is often possible. The number of implants depends on the available bone, the length of the gap, chewing forces and how easy the bridge is to clean.

Titanium implants do not usually rule out an MRI scan, but they can cause artefacts on images of that area: tell the radiologist. They do not usually set off airport security scanners.

A true titanium allergy is very rare. If you have a history of metal allergies, mention it at the consultation: your situation is assessed and other materials can be discussed.