Patient FAQs

The first dental implants were placed in the 1960’s over fifty years ago. Since that time implant design has changed to allow quicker, more successful implant treatment. Today more and more people are suitable for implant treatment due to improved implant design.

Many scientific studies have shown dental implants to be very successful over many years. Several studies show implant survival rates of 90% or more after 10 years. In our Clinic we currently have an implant survival rate of 98% after 10 years. We believe this success is down to meticulous attention to detail both in terms of planning and the way we carry out the treatment.

The majority of patients have their implant treatment carried out under just local anaesthetic whilst some anxious patients have intravenous sedation as well. Once the gum has gone numb there is very little to feel whilst the implant is being placed. Afterwards most patients are pleasantly surprised by how little discomfort they have. A mild discomfort lasting two to three days usually occurs after implant surgery and is normally treated with nothing more than normal pain-killers such as paracetamol.

Please also see the Testimonials section to read about the experiences of real patients of the Clinic who have been through the process and how they found the surgery.

The good news is that most dental implant surgery can be tolerated by the majority of people with nothing more than local anaesthetic. Once the local anaesthetic has taken effect you should not feel any pain or discomfort. There may be a slight sensation of vibration or tapping from time to time but no pain.

Afterwards most people heal very quickly with minimal discomfort and need nothing more than paracetamol for a day or two.

If you still feel nervous about the prospect of implant surgery then you can probably be provided with intra-venous sedation. This involves giving you a sedative drug through a needle in the back of your hand. The sedative makes you feel calm and relaxed throughout the whole procedure and time seems to pass by quickly.

At the end of the procedure you are allowed ample time to recover before you are discharged. If you do have sedation you need a sensible adult to take you home afterwards and to look after you at home where you recover further.

Implant treatment times vary enormously depending upon individual circumstances. A simple straightforward case in the lower jaw can sometimes be completed in less than four months, whereas a complicated case in the upper jaw could take as long as two years. However, most cases take less than one year to complete.

In certain circumstances implants can be placed and restored all in one day or over much shorter timescales than normal.

Successful dental implant treatment depends on the healing properties of the jaw bones and gums. In order for the jaw bone to grow onto the dental implant there needs to be a period of healing. Similarly the gum needs to heal around the new crown (or cap) if a natural-looking and long-lasting result is to be achieved.

Dr Roberts’ philosophy is to carry out treatment the best way it can be without the emphasis on speed alone. Therefore sufficient time for healing is allowed before progressing to the next stage. This means that your treatment at our Clinic may take longer than at other clinics but the result is a predictably successful outcome. Our high implant survival rate (98%) confirms the sense behind this approach.

However, as mentioned above, there are some situations where treatment can be carried out much more quickly and implants can be placed and restored in as little as one day.

A thorough consultation will often reveal which technique will work best for you and how long your treatment is likely to take.

The first step to finding out if you are suitable for dental implant treatment is to have a consultation with Dr Roberts.

A typical consultation will last around 50 minutes to one hour and the cost for this will be £220.00. This cost includes any initial x-rays and a comprehensive written report.

During the consultation you will be asked about your particular problem and what result you would like to achieve. Your teeth and gums will be examined thoroughly and any necessary dental x-rays will be taken. After your examination and x-rays Dr Roberts will discuss with you the results and present your options for treatment along with the benefits and risks associated with each option.

In simple cases you will be talked through the implant process and shown models to help you understand how everything works. An idea of how long treatment will take and the various costs involved will also be discussed. This information will be confirmed in a thorough and detailed written report which will be sent to you a few days later.

In complicated cases more information may be required before a full written treatment plan can be provided. For example, a 3D x-ray, known as a C.T. scan, may be advised if a large number of implants are required or complex bone grafting procedures are being considered.

Normally a patient has to be at least 18 years old and preferably 20 before implant treatment can begin. This is to ensure that bone growth is complete. If an implant is placed too early and the jaws continue to grow this could leave the implant in a poor position leading to an unnatural-looking crown on top of the implant.

However, there is no upper age limit to implant treatment. General health is more important than actual age. A 40 year old patient with poor health could be a poor candidate for implant treatment whereas a 70 year old patient in excellent health could make a very good candidate for implant treatment.

In fact, the Clinic’s oldest implant patient is 97, is in excellent general health, and has five implants which support a full set of lower teeth.

Our fees are a reflection of our experience, the service we provide, our attention to detail and our commitment to providing the best possible result.

Dr Roberts has a wealth of experience with dental implants, having placed his first one over 15 years ago. Since that time Dr Roberts has attended dozens of implant courses in the UK, America, Sweden, Portugal and Germany. On these courses Dr Roberts has been able to learn from some of the most highly-respected implant Dentists in the world. The bonus for patients of our Clinic is that Dr Roberts can bring together his experience of these courses for their benefit.

In addition to attending these individual courses Dr Roberts has also undertaken an extended period of study of dental implants at the Royal College of Surgeons in London. This study involved considerable time away from the Clinic and his family, which shows his commitment to pursuing the very best training in implant dentistry. After three years of study, including lectures, written assessments, practical coursework, case presentations, a practice inspection and an examination, Dr Roberts was awarded the Diploma in Implant Dentistry from the Royal College of Surgeons together with an Advanced Certificate to recognise his ability to carry out bone grafting procedures. This qualification is generally regarded as the gold standard in implant training in the UK and is only held by a small percentage of Dentists.

When patients attend our Clinic for dental implant treatment they will be cared for as individuals. We always make sure that there is sufficient time for treatment to be carried out in a relaxed, unhurried way with plenty of time available for questions. Dr Roberts’s enthusiasm and passion for implant dentistry means that he is only too happy to answer questions on any aspect of implant treatment.

An initial consultation generally lasts between 50 minutes and one hour and is always followed up by a detailed written report including treatment options, benefits and risks of treatment, costs and timescales.

Treatment itself is carried out in a very relaxed, peaceful way with more than ample time set aside for the procedure in question. Patients can be assured of our undivided attention whilst they are with us. Dr Roberts freely admits to being a perfectionist and always wants to do his very best for each and every patient. All this care takes time so we ensure there is more than enough available for each patient.

At our Clinic we pride ourselves on our attention to detail whether that is returning a telephone call when we say we will or ensuring an implant is placed in the gentlest manner possible. All these things matter to us, big or small.

The aim of all this care is happy patients with successful long-lasting implant treatment. Fortunately we achieve these goals on a regular basis. Please see the Testimonials section and the Before and After Gallery for an idea of what real patients have to say about us and the results we achieve.         

Although treatment at our Clinic is not cheap we believe we provide excellent value for money.

Most patients have their surgery carried out under just local anaesthetic. Once the gum has gone numb there is very little to feel whilst the implant is being placed.

However, some anxious patients choose to have intravenous sedation as well where a sedative drug is administered through a small needle, usually in the back of the hand. The sedative drug makes patients feel very relaxed throughout treatment and is extremely safe.

Intravenous sedation is also recommended sometimes if patients are having a long session of surgery or for some types of bone grafting.

If patients require major bone grafting (usually involving transferring bone from the hip to the jaws) then this is normally carried out by a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in hospital under a general anaesthetic.

Caring for dental implants is very similar to caring for your own natural teeth.

Good oral hygiene is essential to the long-term success of dental implants. However cleaning around dental implants is just like cleaning around your own natural teeth. Therefore good toothbrushing technique, flossing and the use of small interdental brushes is important.

It is also normally advisable to see a Dental Hygienist on a regular basis for thorough scaling and polishing.

For the first few years you will be seen annually for an x-ray and an examination of the implant and the surrounding gum. This is essential to check on the health of the bone and gum around the implant. Although problems with implants are thankfully quite rare it is easier to treat problems that do arise if they are detected sooner rather than later. After the first few annual reviews the time between reviews is often extended to two or three years.

If you smoke it is also strongly advised that you give up smoking before implant surgery and try to remain a non-smoker afterwards. Smoking has been shown to reduce the success rates of dental implant treatment both at the time the implants are inserted and also in the long-term afterwards.

Yes they can. Implants are commonly used to replace individual missing teeth but they can also be used to secure or stabilise loose dentures in either the upper or lower jaws. Instead of having a crown (cap) fitted to the top of the implant a precision-made attachment is fitted which inserts into the underneath surface of the denture, securing the denture to the implant. In the lower jaw this can achieved with as few as two implants.

If there is sufficient bone available and you are willing to have more implants inserted then you can often be fitted with a completely solid set of teeth attached to the dental implants (a full-arch bridge). This set of teeth would stay in permanently and would look and feel very similar to a natural set of teeth.

If you don't have enough bone for dental implants this can often be corrected with bone grafting techniques. Bone grafting involves placing some of your own bone or another material into the region of the missing tooth/teeth. After the bone graft has healed you can then progress normally as if you had enough bone at the beginning of treatment.

Bone grafting can involve a number of different techniques and materials and your options will be discussed with you before going ahead with treatment.

A Periodontist is a Dentist who specialises in the diagnosis and management of periodontal diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis and gum recession. Periodontists also place and maintain dental implants.

In the UK there are just over 300 Periodontists (Specialists in Periodontics). Dr Roberts has been registered with the General Dental Council as a Specialist in Periodontics since March 2000.

Yes they can. If your mother or father lost their teeth at an early age then you could be more prone to gum disease. This does not mean it is inevitable that you will lose your teeth just like your parents but you could be at increased risk of this happening. Therefore it would make sense to have your gums thoroughly checked by your own Dentist, or Dr Roberts, if there is a history of gum disease in your family.

Fortunately, with modern gum treatments, many people who would have lost their teeth in the past will now be able to keep their teeth for a lot longer and hopefully a life-time.

Yes, in some cases gum disease can be completely cured. Gingivitis can often be totally eliminated with improved oral hygiene and thorough professional tooth cleaning by a Dental Hygienist.

Periodontitis, on the other hand, is much more difficult to eliminate completely. In periodontitis there has been some damage to the bone which supports the teeth and once this bone has been lost it is usually lost forever. People with early or moderate periodontitis have a much better chance of regaining healthy gums than do people with advanced periodontitis.

However, even with advanced cases, improved oral hygiene and intensive treatment with a Dental Hygienist can often improve the health of the gums significantly so that tooth loss does not occur or only happens to a small number of teeth.

Unfortunately if gum disease is not treated it is likely that many or all of the teeth will be lost. Gum disease often progresses slowly and painlessly until the sufferer notices teeth becoming loose or gaps opening up between the teeth. By the time this happens the disease has usually progressed to quite an advanced stage.

Like with most diseases treatment is usually easier and more successful if the disease is caught in the early stages. Therefore if you suspect you may have gum disease, discuss this with your Dentist or you could refer yourself directly to Dr Roberts for a second opinion.

To refer yourself directly to Dr Roberts click here

Gum disease is caused mainly by bacteria but some people with these bacteria will not develop gum disease. It is thought that these people are “resistant” to gum disease. Other, less fortunate people have a genetic “weakness” to gum disease and will develop problems if the bacteria (plaque) are allowed to build up on their teeth. Therefore it is possible that gum disease could be spread from one person to another if the bacteria are passed on through saliva.

If someone in your family has gum disease it is probably sensible to avoid sharing toothbrushes or eating utensils with them to reduce the risk of spreading the bacteria. Also, if you suspect a family member may have gum disease (bleeding, swollen gums, loose teeth etc) it would be wise to encourage them to have their gums checked out to protect the oral health of the whole family.

No, bleeding gums are not normal. Healthy gums will not bleed after toothbrushing, flossing or using interdental brushes. If you suffer with bleeding gums then it is advisable to have a check-up with your Dentist or, if you want a second opinion, refer yourself directly to Dr Roberts.

To refer yourself directly to Dr Roberts click here

Although bleeding gums can be a worrying sign it does not always indicate serious gum disease and could just be a feature of gingivitis. Gingivitis can often be resolved quickly with improved oral hygiene and a thorough scale and polish.

Smoking has been shown to reduce the amount of bleeding from the gums in gum disease and this can sometimes give a false impression of gum health when, in fact, significant disease is present.

Toothbrushing alone will not remove all of the bacteria (plaque) from your teeth. The areas between the teeth (the interdental areas) collect plaque that the toothbrush cannot reach. Therefore these areas need to be cleaned separately using floss or small interdental brushes.

Toothbrushing twice a day for at least two minutes should be considered the minimum. Interdental cleaning should be carried out at least once a day.

Even with excellent tooth cleaning most people will build up tartar (calculus) which needs to be cleaned off by a Dentist or Dental Hygienist by thorough scaling and polishing. If periodontitis has developed then deep root cleaning under local anaesthetic may be required.

Not necessarily, but it could do. Gum disease does cause teeth to become loose as the bone around the roots is damaged but there are other reasons for teeth to become loose. For example, some people grind or clench their teeth whilst asleep and this can cause teeth to become loose even though their gums may be healthy.

However, if you have loose teeth it would probably be a good idea to have this checked out by your Dentist so that the underlying reason can be established and suitable advice given. If you think your loose teeth could be due to gum disease you could also refer yourself directly to Dr Roberts for a thorough examination of your gums.

To refer yourself directly to Dr Roberts click here

Yes. Using a mouthwash will often help improve the health of your gums but it will not remove all the plaque from between the teeth. The interdental areas need cleaning daily with floss or interdental brushes.

Although a mouthwash is much easier and quicker to use than floss or interdental brushes it does not remove the plaque from between the teeth and this is where gum disease is most common. Once you get into a good routine with floss or interdental brushes it should not take too long. A Dental Hygienist can show you the best techniques for flossing and how to use interdental brushes correctly.

No. People do not develop gum disease just because they get older. It is possible to maintain healthy gums for a lifetime with good oral hygiene and regular visits to a Dental Hygienist.

In our Clinic we see people referred in with advanced gum disease at relatively young ages although these people tend to be suffering from the rarer forms of gum disease, not the usual periodontitis.

The common form of gum disease, periodontitis, often starts to show signs when people reach their late thirties or early forties but can present earlier in some cases.

Whatever age you are keep a look out for the signs and symptoms of gum disease such as red, swollen, bleeding gums, loose teeth and receding gums. If you are concerned talk to your Dentist or refer yourself directly to Dr Roberts for a thorough gum examination.

To refer yourself directly to Dr Roberts click here

No. Gum disease affects the teeth which have plaque around them the most. Teeth which are kept clean can often remain disease free even if other teeth in the mouth are suffering from advanced gum disease. The teeth at the back of the mouth are harder to keep clean and so they usually suffer worse gum disease than those at the front. Similarly, gum disease is usually more severe between the teeth as these areas are also more difficult to keep clean.

In cases of advanced gum disease then some or even all of the teeth may be lost. However, modern dental techniques allow teeth to be replaced in a number of ways.

Removable dentures are a relatively simple way of replacing missing teeth although they do not always feel particularly natural. Sometimes bridgework can be used but this often involves trimming down the adjacent teeth so that the bridge can be fitted over them. If the adjacent teeth are healthy then this can be quite damaging for them.

Probably the most natural replacements for missing teeth are dental implants. Dental implants can be used to replace just single teeth or sometimes a whole set. However, any gum disease must be treated first so that the implants will be placed into a healthy mouth.

For more information about dental implants click here

A Dental Hygienist is a Dental Care Professional who has been specially trained to help patients improve their oral heath, mainly with regards to gum disease (periodontal disease) and tooth decay.

In our Clinic, the Hygienist’s mainly help patients combat the two main forms of gum disease:- gingivitis and periodontitis.

Some Dentists will do this type of work. However, Dental Hygienists have been trained specifically in this area of work and can usually spend longer with you. We allow our Dental Hygienist’s lots of time to explain about gum disease and demonstrate effective tooth cleaning methods as well as carry out thorough scaling and polishing and deep cleaning under local anaesthetic. The same time with a Dentist would undoubtedly cost a lot more.

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease where the gums become red, swollen and inflamed and bleed when brushed. Gingivitis is caused by a build up of bacteria (plaque) along the gum margins.

Periodontitis is a more serious condition of the gums where bone has started to be lost around the teeth so the teeth start to loosen. If untreated, the bone loss caused by periodontitis eventually leads to teeth falling out.

Gingivitis is totally reversible and the Hygienist can help you bring the problem under control. As gingivitis is caused by bacteria (plaque) on the teeth, the Hygienist will show you the best ways to carry out effective tooth cleaning to remove the bacteria on a daily basis. This will include teaching you the best ways to carry out toothbrushing, flossing and the use of small bottle-brushes for cleaning the in-between teeth areas.

The Hygienist will also need to carry out thorough scaling and polishing to remove any tartar (calculus) which has built up around the teeth.

As periodontitis is more serious than gingivitis treatment with the Hygienist is more intensive. Again the Hygienist will show you how to carry out effective tooth cleaning and will carry out thorough scaling and polishing. However, the Hygienist will also need to carry out deep root cleaning to remove bacteria which have spread beneath the gum level. Unfortunately, in periodontitis the gums start to “peel away” from the roots of the teeth and “pockets” form where the bacteria are protected from normal tooth cleaning. In order to clean out these bacteria the Hygienist uses special thin scaling instruments to go down inside the gum pockets and clean the root surfaces of the teeth where the gum has peeled away. A local anaesthetic is normally used so that treatment can be completed without causing discomfort.

Most treatment with the Hygienist is painless or only very slightly uncomfortable. Some people have very sensitive teeth and find even normal scaling and polishing uncomfortable. The Hygienist can help with this by putting in local anaesthetic before starting treatment. There are also lots of toothpastes available which help reduce tooth sensitivity if used regularly.

Deep root cleaning is usually carried out under local anaesthetic although some patients find they can tolerate this without the need for local anaesthetic.

All our Hygienist’s are trained to administer local anaesthetic so if you have any discomfort or sensitivity during a treatment session let them know and they will put in local anaesthetic to numb the sensitive area.

The number of times you will need to see the Hygienist varies depending upon the severity of the problem.

For example, if you are suffering from just gingivitis you may only need to see the Hygienist for one or two appointments for help with oral hygiene advice and scaling and polishing. However, if you are suffering from advanced periodontitis and have loose teeth and many deep pockets you may need to see the Hygienist regularly for the rest of your life.

Most people with moderate periodontitis need to see the Hygienist on a monthly basis to begin with but this can often be reduced to just three or four visits a year once the disease has been brought under control.

The most important thing you can do to help yourself is to become excellent at tooth cleaning. In the long-term this is probably the most important factor in the battle against gum disease. The Hygienist will be able to help you master toothbrushing, flossing and the use of small bottle-brushes for cleaning the in-between teeth areas. The better you become at tooth cleaning the better the chances are that you will overcome your gum disease.

If you have progressed from gingivitis to periodontitis it is also important that you see the Hygienist for thorough scaling and polishing and deep root cleaning as you will not be able to clean off the bacteria (plaque) which have spread down inside the gum pockets.

If you smoke then stopping smoking will be beneficial to the health of your gums. Unfortunately people who smoke are at increased risk of suffering more severe gum disease and losing more teeth. Stopping smoking also reduces your risk of developing mouth cancer.

If you are excellent at cleaning your teeth then cleaning just once a day could be enough. However, most people miss some areas, especially between the teeth, so we would recommend cleaning twice a day at least.

A thorough tooth cleaning routine should include tooth brushing and some method for cleaning the in-between teeth areas such as flossing or inter-dental brushing.