Frequently asked questions

A dental implant is a medically approved titanium root that replaced the root of the missing/ decayed natural tooth. Once healed, a crown is seated on your implant. After completion, the implant tooth is strong and natural in appearance.

No, the procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia and you will not feel pain during the procedure. If you are a nervous patient, sedation may help you to relax during the procedure. This can be discussed during your consultation. The vast majority of patients report mild discomfort for a single tooth replacement, normally much less painful than when they had the tooth removed. Usually, over the counter painkillers are sufficient to control the pain. Stronger painkillers can be prescribed if required.

It is definitely not a good idea. Planning and maintenance are key in implant treatment. When you travel overseas for your implant treatment, planning is usually rushed or inexistant. Javier has seen over the years that sending patient back to their providing dentist abroad to amend problems is not always possible. At that point the patient with these failing implants is the one having ‘the problem’. In most occasions, in order to make the deal look attractive cheap implants and componentry are used and usually placed by inexperience operators, in view of the results. Unfortunately, in the majority of cases, removal of the implants is the only option in order to start over again. Ultimately, patients end up having to pay more for their treatment than what they would have paid in first instance.

There are many things to bear in mind when making an investment to this level: Operator qualifications and experience: Javier has been gaining further training in the field of Oral Surgery and Implantology since 2013. He has successfully been granted with a Master in Clinical Dentistry in Implantology and a Diploma in Oral Surgery in addition to his regular attendance to further training and congresses. He has also accumulated thousands of hours replacing teeth with implants. Trusting the person that will operate on you is extremely important, the more the experience the lower the risks. Materials: He only uses highly researched materials for his cases and has been using them for many years now. Reliable materials will likely provide longevity to the results. Dental Laboratory: All implant related work is sent to highly skilled dental technicians with further training in dental implants. He has full trust on his dental laboratory, a very experienced professionals who communicate effectively with and only makes implant crowns and bridges for the best outcomes. ‘Shortcuts’: Unfortunately, there is not only one way of reaching the final line. There are many ways alongside this journey to reduce cost. Some of them may impact on the survival of the implants and other on the cosmetic end results. Javier does not take any shortcuts and will take any necessary steps to deliver high quality and the promised end results to ensure your investment is long-lasting. Poor implant treatment planning. Failed implant Poor Implant treatment planning and inexperience dental technician. Failed implant work Poor planning and poor implant positioning. Failed implant

Yes, you can. All it takes is two implants on the lower jaw or four implants on the top jaw to secure your denture. Having several implants and your denture attached to them is more affordable than what you think. Having the reassurance that your denture is not going to fall out whilst you speak or have a meal with a friend is invaluable! Two implants in the mandible to support lower denture

As long as you are in good health you may be a suitable candidate for implants and there is not an age limit! During your consultation we will discuss what risk factor may affect the longevity of implants. The main risk factors are uncontrolled gum disease, diabetes or patients who are heavy smokers.

Following the loss of a tooth, there will be an expected progressive bone loss. In order to assess and plan your treatment bone volume will be measured on a 3D scan and discussed/shown to you. At this point there are several scenarios: Implant can be placed in the ideal position, bone regeneration is not required. Implant can be placed but minor bone regeneration is required. Biomaterial is used to support your implant Implant cannot be placed and bone regeneration is required prior placement of the implant.

Implant treatment has commonly two main phases: implant placement and delivering of the crown/bridge work. Payments are split to make the treatment more affordable. If this is not enough help, we offer in house interest-free finance with all our implant treatments. You can repay your investment in small installments without worrying about payment any fees upfront.

Dental implants that are cared for are likely to last many years. Modern studies show high survival rate of around 90% after 20 years in function. The prediction is that many of these implants should last a lifetime in correct conditions.

Several problems may arise from a non-replaced missing tooth, in some occasions a tooth loss may over time cause other teeth to fail and require removal: Following tooth loss, progressive bone loss and gum recession occurs. This progressive bone loss may also result in facial changes. It is always more predictable to replace your tooth with an implant immediately after tooth loss. Neighbour teeth may tilt to adapt to the new situation. This may affect the remaining teeth health and may cause undesirable cosmetic issues such as gap between teeth. Opposing teeth may gradually drift as they attempt to contact the opposing tooth for chewing purposes. We call this over-eruption. These teeth may develop gum recession and progressive bone loss which may make them loose and eventually cause tooth loss. Certain cases cannot be treated with implants without previously have been realigned with braces. This is due to the long-term undesirable movements of the remaining teeth in the arch following tooth loss. Upper left teeth have been ‘drifting down’ as they did not have support from lower teeth. Orthodontic treatment was necessary to reposition them prior implant treatment. Upper left molar drifting down again due to missing lower tooth. Orthodontic treatment was also necessary prior implant treatment Ageing facial appearance due to tooth loss – facial changes. Implant treatment complete and restored facial anatomy.