What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a small screw, usually made of titanium, that is placed in the jawbone where a tooth is missing. Over a few months the bone grows firmly around it, so it works like the root of a natural tooth. A crown, bridge or denture is then fixed on top.
Because an implant is held by the bone, it does not lean on the teeth beside it. A bridge, by contrast, needs the neighbouring teeth to be trimmed down to hold it. An implant also keeps the jawbone in use, which helps stop the bone shrinking where a tooth has been lost.
Natural tooth
Implant
Who can have implants?
Most adults who have lost one or more teeth can be considered. What matters most:
- Enough bone. The jaw needs enough healthy bone to hold the implant. If the bone has shrunk because a tooth was lost long ago, a bone graft may be needed first.
- Healthy gums. Gum disease needs to be treated before an implant is placed.
- General health. Diabetes, high blood pressure and thyroid problems do not rule implants out, but they need to be well controlled. Tell Dr. Laura about every medicine you take, especially blood thinners.
- Smoking. Smoking slows healing and makes it more likely that an implant fails. Cutting down or stopping helps.
Implants are placed only once the jaw has finished growing, so they are not used for children.
What an implant can replace
- One missing tooth: one implant with a crown on top.
- Several teeth in a row: two or more implants holding a bridge.
- All the teeth in a jaw (full-mouth implants): a few implants can hold a full set of teeth, either fixed in place or as a denture that clips on and off.
The steps, from first visit to new tooth
- Consultation and planning. Dr. Laura examines your mouth, takes X-rays (and a 3D scan where needed), and explains your options and the cost before any treatment starts.
- Placing the implant. This is done under local anaesthetic, so the area is numb while you are awake. Some soreness and swelling for a few days afterwards is normal and is usually eased with ordinary painkillers.
- Healing. The bone bonds to the implant over roughly three to six months. A temporary tooth can often be worn in the meantime so you are not left with a gap.
- Your new tooth. Once the implant has healed, a crown, bridge or denture is made to match your other teeth and fixed on top.
Sometimes an implant can be placed on the same day a tooth is taken out. Whether that suits you depends on the bone and gum at that spot.
The gapDashed line: the tooth that was lost
Implant placedThe gum is often closed over it
HealingBone grows onto it over 3–6 months
New toothAbutment and crown fitted
How long does it take?
From the first visit to the final tooth usually takes three to six months, and longer if a bone graft is needed. Most of that time is healing, so the number of visits is small. If you live outside Goa or are visiting, say so when you book, and the visits can be planned around your stay.
Implant, bridge or denture?
All three replace missing teeth. Which is best depends on your mouth, your health and your budget.
| Good points | Things to weigh up | |
|---|---|---|
| Implant | Feels and works most like a natural tooth. Does not touch the teeth beside it. Helps keep the jawbone. | Needs minor surgery and months of healing. Costs more at the start. |
| Bridge | Fixed in place. Done in a few weeks, with no surgery. | The teeth on either side are trimmed down to hold it. |
| Denture | Lowest cost. Can replace many teeth at once. | Removable, and can move when you eat or speak. |
Looking after your implant
An implant cannot decay, but the gum and bone around it can become infected if plaque builds up. Brush twice a day, clean between your teeth with floss or small interdental brushes, and come for regular check-ups. With good care, an implant can last many years.
Your dentist
Dr. Laura Albuquerque
Dr. Laura holds an MDS in Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, the dental specialty that deals with replacing missing teeth, and is an Oral Implantologist. That means the tooth that sits on your implant, how it looks and how you bite on it, is planned from the very first visit.
Common questions
Does getting a dental implant hurt?
The area is numbed, so you should feel pressure rather than pain while the implant is placed. Most people have some soreness for a few days afterwards, which ordinary painkillers usually ease.
How much does a tooth implant cost in Goa?
It depends on how many implants you need, whether a bone graft is needed first, and what goes on top: a single crown, a bridge or a denture. Dr. Laura will explain the full cost of your plan at your consultation, before any treatment starts.
Am I too old for implants?
There is no upper age limit. Your general health and the amount of bone in your jaw matter far more than your age.
Can I have implants if I have diabetes?
Often, yes, as long as your diabetes is well controlled. Healing can be slower, so Dr. Laura will ask about your blood sugar and may speak with your doctor before planning treatment.
I am visiting Goa. Can I have implants during my trip?
Implants need a healing period of a few months between placing the implant and fitting the final tooth, so treatment is usually split over two trips. Get in touch before you travel so the visits can be planned around your dates.
This page gives general information, not advice for your own teeth. Dr. Laura will explain what suits you, and what it will cost, after examining you.