Is a Dental Implant The Best Solution For Your Missing Tooth?

Missing teeth can affect more than just your smile; they can influence your ability to eat, speak clearly, and even impact the shape of your face over time. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers several treatment options to restore your smile and oral function, with dental implants being one of the most popular and effective choices available today.

If you’re wondering whether a dental implant is right for you, this blog explores everything you need to know about the procedure, from causes of tooth loss and treatment options to what dental implants are made of, how long they last, and whether they’re painful.

What Causes Missing Teeth

There are many reasons why a person might have lost one or more of their teeth: Gum disease, tooth decay, injury, or a genetic condition are some examples of tooth loss.

If the missing tooth is visible, at the front of your mouth, it can have a negative impact on  your confidence and self-esteem.

Even if the missing tooth is hidden at the back or side of your mouth, it can impact on the overall function of your mouth, affecting the way you eat and/or talk.

Our teeth are designed to work together, and the consequence of one or more missing teeth are changes in the function of the jaw and surrounding muscles.  

Over time, muscle changes can affect the shape of the face.  

Changes in bite, to compensate for a missing tooth, can lead to difficulties with chewing, and grinding and sensitivity of the remaining teeth.

If you have a missing tooth or teeth, there are three main treatment options:

• Dental implants
• Dental bridges
• Removable partial dentures

This blog discusses dental implants specifically, answering the most common questions asked about the procedure.

Read on to discover if a dental implant is the right treatment option for you.

What Are Dental Implants And What Are The Made Of?

At Hamilton Dental Centre, we may offer dental implants as a treatment option if you are missing one tooth, or several teeth in different areas of your mouth.

A dental implant is as the name suggests: 

A ‘screw’ made of surgical grade titanium alloy metal, is implanted into your jaw, where the tooth should be.  This replaces the tooth’s root and provides an anchor onto which a prosthetic tooth is placed. 

The dentist will mount a temporary prosthetic tooth (also called a crown), over the implanted screw.  

On average it takes 6-8 months for the jaw bone to heal around the implant, further anchoring it into place.  At this point, you will come back to the dental centre, and a permanent ceramic tooth will be fixed to the implant.

The ceramic tooth is made specifically for you, and will match perfectly to your other teeth, making it look natural and unnoticeable as a prosthetic tooth.

For more information on the in-house manufacturing process of crowns at Hamilton Dental Centre, check out this blog: https://www.thehamiltondentist.co.nz/news/same-day-crowns-in-hamilton-are-here/

Am I A Good Candidate For A Dental Implant?

Not everyone is an immediate candidate for dental implants, but many people qualify after a proper assessment by a dental professional. At Hamilton Dental Centre, we thoroughly evaluate your oral and overall health to determine whether dental implants are the right solution for you. In general, you’re considered a good candidate if you meet the following conditions:

• You have one or more missing teeth.
  Dental implants are designed to replace single or multiple missing teeth, helping restore both function and appearance.
  
• You have completed growing through adolescence, and thus your jawbone is completely developed.
  Dental implants are best suited for adults whose jawbones have stopped growing. This ensures the implant remains stable and secure as the bone structure won’t change significantly.
  
• You have adequate bone to secure the implants to.
  A strong and healthy jawbone is essential for anchoring the implant. If your jawbone has deteriorated due to prolonged tooth loss or gum disease, a bone graft may be necessary before proceeding.
  
• You have healthy oral tissues.
  Your gums and surrounding tissues should be free from active infection or severe periodontal disease to support proper healing.
  
• You don’t have health conditions that will affect bone healing.
  Chronic conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, immune disorders, or recent cancer treatment may slow healing or increase the risk of implant failure. We will review your medical history to determine if these factors pose any concern.
  
• You are unable or unwilling to wear dentures.
  If you struggle with removable dentures—due to discomfort, poor fit, or inconvenience—implants offer a fixed, long-term alternative that feels more natural.
  
• You are willing to commit several months to the process.
  Getting a dental implant isn’t an overnight procedure. It requires a healing period of several months between the implant placement and final crown fitting. Patience and commitment are key to achieving the best outcome.
  
• You don’t smoke tobacco.
  Smoking can impair healing and increase the risk of implant failure. If you are a smoker, we strongly recommend quitting before beginning the implant process.

Are Dental Implants Painful?

At the Hamilton Dentist, we do our best to ensure the comfort and safety of our patients. 

Our dentists employ pain-free dental care techniques to ensure your comfort during a procedure.

Patients who have undergone a dental implant procedure claim that the anaesthetic administered prior to the procedure kept them pain-free and comfortable throughout.

After the procedure, once the anaesthetic has worn off, most people are able to comfortably manage their pain by taking simple pain killers, such as Paracetamol (Panadol) and Ibuprofen (Nurofen).

How Long After A Dental Implant Can I Eat Normally?

We recommend eating soft, easy-to-chew food for about a week following the dental implant procedure.

Following this, it is recommended that extremely chewy, hard or crunchy foods are avoided for a period of up to 6 months following the procedure.

This is to allow as little disruption to the new implant as possible, while it undergoes a process called osseointegration.

Osseointegration refers to a phenomenon where an implant becomes fused with the bone, a process which will take on average up to 6 months to complete.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants are intended to be permanent, since the process of osseointegration will fuse the implanted screw with the surrounding jawbone.

While the implant itself is designed to be permanent, the crown that is attached to it may need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear.

The crown can last for up to a period of 25 years before needing to be replaced, but some crowns will need to be replaced before this time.

How Much Are Dental Implants?

Implants have a reputation for being expensive but advances in technology, healthy competition and increased accessibility mean they are as affordable as they’ve ever been. 

The cost of dental implants does depend on the situation and complexities involved but we’ll take you through these and the best options for you.

If you would like to book a consultation at Hamilton Dental Centre, to discuss a dental implant to replace your missing tooth, fill in this appointment request, and we will be in touch soon.

Dental Implant FAQs

Do dental implants look natural?

Yes, dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. The crown attached to the implant is custom-made to match the shape, size, and colour of your existing teeth, making it virtually indistinguishable from a real tooth.

Can dental implants fail?

While dental implants have a high success rate (over 95%), failure can occur due to factors such as poor oral hygiene, smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, or insufficient bone support. Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene practices significantly reduce this risk.

Will I need to take time off work after getting a dental implant?

Most patients can return to work the day after the procedure, especially if the implant was placed under local anaesthesia. However, it’s common to take 1–2 days off to rest, particularly if multiple implants are placed or sedation was used.