What is a dental implant? 

Dental implants have become the treatment of choice for replacing missing teeth.

Dental implants can:
● Replace a single or several missing teeth
● Replace a full set of teeth (“Smile in a Day”)
● Replace teeth missing because of failing teeth or severe periodontal disease

Dental implants look and perform more like natural teeth. They are anchored in the jaw, just like teeth, so there is no artificial plastic on the roof of the mouth and the need for adhesives and denture creams is eliminated. More importantly, the use of dental implants does not impact healthy adjacent teeth and also solves the problem of bone loss that comes with missing teeth. They really are the closest thing possible to natural teeth.

Dental implants return you to a confident smile and unlike dentures don’t move and can last a lifetime. Placing a dental implant into your jaw provides a support for your long lasting replacement teeth.

How do dental implants work?

A dental implant, whether it be metal or ceramic, is designed to replace a single tooth and is composed of three parts:
● the small titanium or ceramic screw that fuses into the jaw
● the abutment, which forms a small post protruding above the gum line
● the tooth shaped porcelain crown, providing a natural appearance

Dental implants are very reliable and have a success rate of 95%.

How much does an implant cost?

What does the dental implant procedure involve?  

Placing an implant by one of our specialist implant dentists usually takes around 1 hour under local anaesthetic. Usually implants will need to heal for 3 months before a tooth can be fitted. However, in some circumstances, a temporary tooth can be fitted immediately.

You can have several implants placed at the same time. We can even provide you with a full set of new teeth with only 4 implants. This procedure is called “Smile in a Day”.

Are dental implants painful?

The dental implant procedure, as with any other oral surgical procedures, can give some discomfort. However this can be kept to a minimum with local anaesthesia. Sedation is also an option to help you relax. Most patients tell us that they were much more comfortable during and following the procedure than they had anticipated. We advise you to take life easy for a couple of days following surgery and to follow the advice in our post surgery guide.

How will I look after my implant?

Dental implant aftercare is extremely important. You will need to brush and floss your new teeth just as you do your natural teeth. We advise you see your hygienist every 4 to 6 months and they will demonstrate appropriate cleaning techniques. Looking after a dental implant is easy and we have a guide to dental implant aftercare to help you.

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What our patients say about their implant treatment

This is an absolutely outstanding dental practice with the reputation of being one of the best in the Eastern Counties. I have been attending this practice for over 20 years travelling from Norwich in order to do so. I was referred to the practice when I suffered a dental emergency when working in Cambridge. My teeth were in a dreadful state and it was almost certain I would have to use dentures which I wanted to avoid at all cost. Between 2002 and 2006 Mr Ian Pearson gradually inserted implants in both my upper and lower jaws ultimately providing me with an almost completely new set of teeth. The process is not cheap but it has to be recognised that dental implants are difficult and there are many many horror stories about disastrous work undertaken by discounters at home and abroad. Over 20 years I have nothing but praise for a remarkable dentist and for the setup at Devonshire House generally. Such is the excellence of the work that over the last 5 years my annual inspection has shown that I have needed no treatment whatsoever. I am not willing to take any chance with my teeth by visiting anybody else despite the inconvenience of the train journey.

I travel 50+ miles to the Devonshire House Practice, several times a year for the expertise of the dental and the hygienist teams. Wail Girgis provided me with full sets of implants 11 years ago. I can say that despite a few relatively minor setbacks (which Wail and Yaz always see me through) I have never looked back. I would honestly say my investment with this practice transformed my life – and that really isn’t an over statement.

I have been a regular patient since having implants done 4 years ago. Implants was a scary (and expensive) undertaking but I have never regretted it. i used to be constantly bothered by low level pain, had to worry every time I ordered from a restaurant menu whether my choice was suitable or too chewy and often felt slightly under the weather. Now I never think about my teeth at all. A really top class professional job and a big thank you to Julian Martin in whom I felt complete confidence as the treatment progressed. The treatment really did change my life. I highly recommend this practice.

I have been treated at Devonshire House by Wail Girgis over the past 6 months for, what you might call, a ‘whole mouth refit’ including implants. Wail has  extensive experience and technical expertise (and that is my highest accolade). He has responded with patience to my need for information, and his personal responses and attention to detail have inspired confidence even in a sceptical critic such as myself. Thank you Wail.
I had previously sought implant treatment at another private practice in Cambridge which, I have since learned, has won the prize for the best provider (of implants). I was turned down as too complex a case. I can only assume that they were concerned about having a potential failure who could have had an adverse effect on their statistics. Wail had no hesitation in taking up the challenge of my dental treatment and has provided it with calm expertise. I also considered seeking the treatment abroad – a much cheaper option, but probably more risky, and it would have been impractical to provide the detailed follow up and numerous checks provided by DH, even if available.
Devonshire House is the most expensive, but worth it for the quality of treatment it provides through experts such as Wail.

I was very nervous about having an implant, sinus lift and bone grafting. From the minute I arrived Dr Julian Martin made me feel like I was in safe hands. I was well informed, he made to feel comfortable, safe and reassured. He talked to me through the process and created a sense of lightness and ease.

I am so pleased with my recent implants and I am learning to smile fully and laugh again with confidence.

I found the experience very calm and that I was in safe and experienced hands. The end result was amazing it has given me more confidence and I would recommend anyone who is thinking about an Implant to use this practice.

Cyrus has been so utterly marvellous for the whole time he has treated me. He took several X-rays and took the time to explain the details of my treatment before proceeding to extract two teeth and put in two implants within my allotted time. I experienced absolutely no pain, at the time or since. His work is exceptional. 

I would like to say how thrilled I am with the implants. I think the enormity of what you have achieved has just hit me. Thank you and all your colleagues for their kindness during the treatment.

Thank you for returning my smile.

If you have a missing tooth and are considering an implant, please contact us and we will be happy to provide you with all the information that you need. In addition, we can arrange for you to meet with another patient who has recently finished their treatment with us.