# Dental Implants > Citation bundle for Dental Implants on The Treatment Registry. > URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/procedures/dental-implants > Bundle URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/api/citations/procedures/dental-implants - Category: dental - Average recovery: 7 days - Typical sessions: 2 - Price range (USD international): $800–$3,500 ## Description A dental implant is a titanium post surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as an artificial tooth root. A crown, bridge, or denture is then attached to the implant. The procedure typically requires two visits spaced several months apart to allow for osseointegration. ## Overview Dental implant placement is a two-stage surgical procedure performed under local anaesthesia, often supplemented by sedation. In the first stage, the oral surgeon or implantologist creates a small incision in the gum tissue and drills a precisely sized channel into the jawbone before inserting the titanium or zirconia implant fixture. The site is then sutured and left to heal. During the ensuing osseointegration period — typically three to six months — the implant fuses with the surrounding bone through a process of direct structural bonding, a biological prerequisite for long-term stability. Candidacy depends on adequate bone volume and density, controlled systemic health (uncontrolled diabetes, bisphosphonate use, and heavy smoking significantly reduce success rates), and sufficient interocclusal space. Patients with insufficient bone may require adjunctive grafting procedures such as a sinus lift or ridge augmentation, which extend the overall treatment timeline by several months. Immediate-load protocols, in which a provisional crown is fitted on the day of implant placement, are available for selected cases with high primary implant stability. In the second stage, after osseointegration has been confirmed radiographically, an abutment is connected to the implant and an impression taken for fabrication of the definitive crown. The final restoration is typically fitted one to two weeks later. Post-operative discomfort after each surgical stage is generally manageable with analgesics and resolves within a few days. Outcomes are highly predictable in healthy patients, with published ten-year survival rates exceeding 95% for single-unit implants placed by experienced clinicians. ## Peer-reviewed outcome rates - **Complication rate:** 5.00% (range 2.00–10.00%) — from 1 cited source - **Revision rate:** 5.00% (range 3.00–10.00%) — from 1 cited source ## Common risks - Infection at the implant site - Implant failure or rejection - Nerve damage causing numbness - Sinus problems (upper jaw implants) - Bone loss around the implant ## FAQs ### How long do dental implants last? With proper oral hygiene and routine dental check-ups, the titanium implant fixture itself can last a lifetime. The crown attached to the implant typically lasts ten to twenty years before requiring replacement due to normal wear. ### Can I get dental implants if I smoke? Smoking significantly impairs healing and reduces implant success rates, with studies suggesting failure rates two to three times higher in smokers than non-smokers. Most implantologists will discuss the risks candidly and may require cessation for a period before and after surgery to optimise outcomes. ### Am I too old for dental implants? There is no upper age limit for dental implants, provided the patient is in reasonable general health and has adequate bone volume. Many patients in their seventies and eighties receive implants successfully; age alone is not a contraindication. ### Can I fly the day after implant surgery? Flying within the first forty-eight to seventy-two hours after implant placement is generally not recommended, as cabin pressure changes and low humidity may exacerbate swelling and discomfort. Most clinics advise a minimum of three to five days before travelling by air. ### Is dental implant surgery painful? The procedure itself is performed under local anaesthesia and should not be painful during placement. Post-operative discomfort — typically described as soreness rather than sharp pain — is usual for two to four days and is well managed with standard analgesics. ### How do I know if I have enough bone for an implant? A cone beam CT scan is the standard imaging tool for assessing bone volume and density before implant planning. If insufficient bone is present, a bone graft procedure can be performed first, though this extends the overall treatment timeline by several months. ### What happens if an implant fails? Implant failure — most commonly due to infection, inadequate osseointegration, or excessive loading — occurs in approximately three to five per cent of cases at experienced centres. A failed implant is removed, the site is allowed to heal, and a new implant is typically placed after several months once bone quality has been restored. ### Do implants look and feel natural? Modern implant-supported crowns are fabricated from tooth-coloured materials such as zirconia and are designed to match adjacent natural teeth closely in colour, shape, and translucency. Functionally, patients describe implants as feeling indistinguishable from natural teeth once fully healed. ### Are there alternatives to dental implants? The main alternatives to implants are fixed dental bridges, which require preparation of adjacent healthy teeth, and removable partial or full dentures. Implants are generally preferred where feasible as they preserve jawbone, do not involve neighbouring teeth, and provide superior long-term stability. ## Alternative treatments - **Dental bridges** — Adjacent-tooth-supported alternative; cheaper but requires grinding healthy teeth. - **Removable partial denture** — Lowest-cost alternative; less stable and lower patient satisfaction long-term. - **All-on-4 or All-on-6 full-arch restoration** — When multiple teeth are missing in the same arch; better cost efficiency than individual implants. ## Sources - [WHO Surgical Safety Checklist](https://www.who.int/teams/integrated-health-services/patient-safety/research/safe-surgery) — World Health Organization (accessed 2026-05-09)