Dental Implants with Dr. Vik
An implant replaces a missing tooth from the root up — a titanium post fused with your jawbone, topped with a custom ceramic crown. It looks, feels and works like your own tooth, because structurally, it nearly is.
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Implants take time. That is exactly what makes them dependable.
— Why I never rush the healing phase
Why Implants
Three reasons implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth.
Unlike a denture, an implant stays in place. You brush it, eat with it and smile with it just like a natural tooth. Most patients forget it's there.
Unlike a bridge, an implant doesn't touch or rely on the neighbouring teeth — everything around it stays completely untouched.
The titanium post fuses with the bone and keeps it stimulated — helping to preserve the bone volume that can otherwise reduce after a missing tooth.
Anatomy of an Implant
Watch the components come together — every one chosen and positioned digitally before treatment begins.
A custom ceramic restoration matched to the shade and shape of your natural teeth.
Precision-machined connector that holds the crown securely and shapes the gum tissue.
A micro-fastener torqued to exact specification, locking everything together beneath the gum line.
The titanium fixture. Integrates with living bone over three to six months — a stable, long-term anchor.
The Journey
For most single implants, the full journey takes three to nine months. Each phase has a purpose.
A full assessment with X-rays or a CBCT scan to evaluate bone, nerves and sinuses. The plan is made here — not on the day of treatment.
If the tooth is still present, it's removed first — and where possible, a bone graft is placed at the same time to preserve the site. If a graft is needed, it heals for around four to six months before the implant goes in. Not everyone needs this — many patients go straight to placement.
The titanium fixture is placed under local anaesthetic. Most patients describe it as easier than a tooth extraction — under an hour, home the same day.
The quiet phase: the implant is left to fuse with your bone for up to three months. This is the foundation of its long-term strength — and life continues as normal.
Once the implant has integrated, a digital scan or impression is taken to design your final crown to the exact size, shape and shade.
About three weeks after the impression, your custom ceramic crown is seated and checked for bite, contact and aesthetics. Once it's comfortable, your implant is complete.
Several Teeth Missing?
When two or more adjacent teeth are missing, an implant-supported bridge uses just two posts to carry a full span — fewer implants, the same fixed result.
An implant bridge avoids grinding down healthy neighbouring teeth and avoids the bulk of a partial denture:
Two or more adjacent teeth are missing
The gap is in a visible or load-bearing area
You want a fixed, long-term solution — no clips, clasps or adhesive
Very similar to a single implant:
Two implants can typically support three to four teeth
Four to nine months from assessment to final bridge
The implants stimulate the jawbone across the whole span
You brush and clean it like natural teeth
Missing All Your Teeth?
For patients missing most or all of their teeth, a full-arch implant bridge replaces the entire upper or lower arch with one fixed set of teeth. I'll be offering this soon — register your interest and I'll be in touch.
Four to six implants are placed at precise, digitally planned angles along the jaw:
A fixed bridge is secured onto the implants
Often completed as "teeth in a day" using guided surgery
No clasps, adhesive or taking it out at night
A single, fixed solution for a full arch of missing or failing teeth:
Feels and functions like natural teeth — eat and speak normally
Preserves jawbone density far better than a denture
Fewer implants needed than replacing every tooth individually
Am I Suitable?
Age alone is not a barrier — implants are placed successfully in patients of all ages. A consultation with scans is the quickest way to confirm.
Most patients meet these criteria:
Good general oral health
Sufficient bone confirmed on imaging
No active gum disease or untreated infection
Completely normal, and it doesn't rule out treatment:
A bone graft to build up the site if needed
Gum treatment to create a healthy foundation
A medical review if relevant to healing
Aftercare
Once the crown is fitted, your implant is treated just like a natural tooth.
Twice a day like the rest of your teeth. An interdental brush or water flosser around the crown keeps the gum healthy — it takes seconds.
Hygiene visits and implant reviews every six months keep everything on track — quick, routine appointments checking gum, crown and bone.
With good care and regular maintenance, implants can last many years, often decades. The ceramic crown may need refreshing over time; the fixture beneath is designed as a long-term foundation.
“Dr Vikas was exceptionally knowledgeable, brilliant patient manner and helpful.”
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With proper care and regular maintenance, the titanium fixture can last many years, often decades. The ceramic crown may need replacing after around 15 to 20 years. Longevity varies between patients and depends on oral health, habits and maintenance.
Longevity depends on hygiene, regular reviews, smoking status and the health of the bone and gum around the implant. Patients with good care routines see excellent long-term outcomes.
Placement is done under local anaesthetic and is more straightforward than most patients expect — many describe it as easier than having a tooth out.
Mild soreness and swelling in the days after is normal and manageable with standard painkillers. If you're anxious, sedation options can be discussed at your consultation.
Most cases take between four and nine months from placement to final crown. The majority of that is osseointegration — the bone quietly fusing with the implant.
Preparatory work like grafting or extraction can add time at the start. I'll give you a clear timeline at your consultation based on your specific situation.
Often yes — but only once the gum disease is properly treated and stable. Active periodontal disease significantly raises the risk of implant failure.
Once stability is confirmed, implants can be very successful. Ongoing periodontal maintenance then protects the implant long-term.
A traditional bridge relies on the neighbouring teeth — they're cut down and crowned to anchor the replacement. An implant is independent: it replaces the root without touching adjacent teeth.
Implants preserve more natural tooth structure and maintain jawbone density. For most patients they're the more conservative long-term solution.
Age alone is not a barrier — implants are placed successfully in patients well into their 70s and 80s. What matters is bone quality, general health and healing.
A thorough assessment with scans will confirm suitability regardless of age.
Failure is uncommon — success rates are consistently above 95%. When it happens, it's usually during healing and often linked to infection, smoking or insufficient bone.
A failed implant is removed painlessly and the site heals. In most cases a second implant can be placed once the cause has been addressed.
Get Started
Book a free consultation at Dental by Design — the UK's #1 implant centre (ADI) — and find out exactly what your journey would look like.
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