Your questions, clearly answered.

Dental implants may be an option if you have one or more missing teeth, failing teeth or dentures and would like to explore a fixed replacement. Suitability is always assessed individually by your clinician.

Your consultation is an opportunity to talk about what is affecting you, ask questions and understand the possible next steps. If further clinical assessment is needed, the team will explain what happens next.

No. Most people contact us because they know what is bothering them, not because they already know the clinical solution. Tell us whether you have one missing tooth, several teeth that keep causing problems, extensive failing teeth or dentures that no longer feel secure. The consultation is there to help you understand whether a single implant, full jaw treatment, full mouth treatment or another option may be more appropriate.

Not just to start the conversation. Unity Dental offers implant consultations at six practices across Devon, so you can begin at a location that is convenient for you and understand your options closer to home. If any later stage of your care needs to take place at a particular Unity location, the team will explain that clearly as part of your treatment plan.

For suitable patients, full mouth or full jaw implant treatment can support fixed replacement teeth rather than a removable denture. Your clinician will explain the differences and which options may be appropriate for you.

The health of your gums and the tissues supporting the teeth and implants is an important part of planning. A history of gum problems does not by itself tell us whether implants are or are not suitable, but your clinician will need to assess the current health of your mouth and explain whether anything needs to be stabilised or treated before implant treatment is considered.

The amount and quality of bone available is one of the things assessed when implant treatment is planned. If you have previously been told there may be limited support in an area, that does not automatically tell you what your current options are. Your clinician can assess the site properly and explain whether implant treatment is appropriate, whether additional treatment would need to be considered or whether another way of replacing the teeth would make more sense.

Suitability is not decided by age alone. Your clinician will look at your dental health, general health, the condition of the gums and supporting tissues, the treatment you need and whether you are able to maintain the result afterwards. The useful question is therefore not simply how old you are, but whether implant treatment is appropriate for your individual health and circumstances.

The timeline varies depending on the treatment, your dental health and how you heal. We’ll explain the expected stages and timings as part of your personalised treatment plan.

That varies with the treatment being planned. Implant care normally involves more than one stage because there is assessment and planning before treatment, the implant procedure itself, appropriate review or healing stages and the fitting of the final restoration. More extensive cases may require additional appointments. Your treatment plan should make clear what each appointment is for and how the stages fit together before you decide to proceed.

If the tooth you want to replace is still present but cannot be predictably maintained, its removal needs to be considered as part of the implant plan. The timing of the implant treatment depends on the condition of the tooth, the surrounding gum and bone and the treatment approach recommended for you. Discussing the replacement before the tooth is removed can be useful because you can understand the likely sequence in advance.

That depends on the type of implant treatment and your starting situation. Temporary replacement teeth may form part of some treatment plans, while other cases need a different approach during healing. Before treatment begins, your clinician should explain what you can expect between the different stages, including any temporary restoration and any limitations you may need to allow for.

Costs depend on the type and extent of treatment you need. Once your clinical needs and treatment options are understood, we can explain the likely costs and provide a personalised quotation.

A headline price can be misleading if it does not reflect the treatment you actually need. The cost can change depending on how many teeth are being replaced, the condition of the area, the type of restoration being planned and whether any other treatment needs to be considered first. We would rather explain the likely cost once the clinical picture is clear so you can understand what the quotation relates to and compare your options properly.

Once a treatment plan has been agreed, the quotation should be clear enough for you to understand the treatment being recommended and the expected cost of that plan. If there are stages, options or circumstances that could affect the final figure, ask for those to be explained before you proceed. The aim is for you to understand both the clinical plan and the financial commitment rather than feeling that you have to make a decision from a headline price.

Implant treatment can be a significant investment, so payment options are something worth discussing once you know what treatment is being recommended and what it will cost. Any payment arrangements currently available through Unity Dental can be explained as part of your quotation. We will not quote unconfirmed finance rates or terms on this page because those details need to reflect the arrangements available at the time you enquire.

Your treatment will be planned with your comfort in mind. Your clinician will explain the procedure, the anaesthetic and comfort options available for your treatment, and what to expect during recovery.

Yes. The first consultation is a conversation, and it is a good time to tell the team if anxiety, previous dental experiences or simply the scale of the treatment is worrying you. You do not have to commit to treatment at that appointment. The aim is to understand what is affecting you, answer your questions and explain the next step in a way that feels manageable.

Recovery is different for a single implant and more extensive treatment, and it also varies between individuals. Your clinician will explain what is normal to expect after your particular procedure, how to look after the area, what you may need to adjust temporarily and when they want to review you. If your treatment involves several stages, you should receive the relevant recovery advice at each stage rather than having to remember everything at the start.

Implants and implant-supported teeth still need regular cleaning and professional care. You will be shown how to clean around the implant restoration and the surrounding gum, including any areas that need particular attention. The exact routine depends on the type of restoration you have, so aftercare advice should be specific to your treatment rather than assuming every implant is maintained in exactly the same way.

Yes. Ongoing reviews allow the team to check the implants, the surrounding gums, the replacement teeth and the rest of your mouth. The frequency that is appropriate for you depends on your oral health and the treatment you have had. Implant treatment should therefore be thought of as something that needs long-term maintenance rather than something that is fitted and then never needs checking again.

There is no responsible way to promise that an implant or restoration will last for a particular number of years for every patient. Long-term outcomes are influenced by factors including the health of the supporting tissues, cleaning, regular maintenance, general health and the forces placed on the restoration. Your clinician can explain the factors that are most relevant to you and what ongoing care is recommended to help protect the result.