Dental Implants Leeds

The scan itself takes just 10–20 seconds of actual imaging. You’ll be in the scanner for around 1–2 minutes including positioning. The whole appointment, including check-in, positioning, scan and initial review, usually takes 15–30 minutes. You’ll often see your scan data on screen before leaving.

Yes. If another dentist or clinic has requested a CBCT scan for your case, we’re happy to provide one. We’ll share the scan data and (if requested) a radiological report. Standalone scan fees apply. Please bring any referral letter or specific requests from your referring clinician.

For most implant cases, yes. 3D CBCT imaging is now considered the standard of care for implant planning because it reveals bone volume, density and the precise position of nerves and sinuses that 2D X-rays can’t show. Without a CBCT scan, implant placement relies on approximation — increasing risk of nerve damage or sinus perforation. At Clarendons, CBCT is standard for all implant planning.

Yes. Modern CBCT scanners use significantly lower radiation than medical CT scans — often less than an airline flight. While all medical imaging has some risk, for appropriate clinical indications the benefits (accurate diagnosis, safe implant placement) massively outweigh the minimal radiation exposure. We only recommend CBCT scans when clinically justified, and use lead aprons and thyroid collars for additional protection.

The procedure itself is comfortable with local anaesthetic and IV sedation. You won’t feel pain during surgery. Some swelling, bruising and tenderness in the days following is normal — prescription pain relief manages this. Most patients report they were surprised at how manageable the recovery was. Within 2–3 weeks, most are back to normal. The final result — new teeth after years of struggle — is almost always described as transformative.

Patients with advanced tooth loss (most or all teeth missing or failing in an arch), those with loose dentures they want to upgrade permanently, and patients with severely compromised teeth where individual saving isn’t feasible. Good candidates have adequate bone volume (often confirmed on 3D scanning), acceptable general health, and are committed to the aftercare. Most suitable patients are in their 50s, 60s and 70s, though younger patients can qualify too.

All of the above. Lower All-on-4 is common for patients with lower arch tooth loss or failing teeth. Upper All-on-4 is equally common and uses the same 4-implant concept (though some cases benefit from 5–6 implants for the upper arch, which has softer bone). Many patients have both arches treated, either together or sequentially.

Yes — that’s central to the All-on-4 protocol. A temporary fixed bridge is attached to the implants at the end of the surgical appointment. You’ll leave with full teeth that look natural and allow you to eat a soft diet immediately. During healing, you stay on softer foods to protect the implants, and after 3–6 months the permanent final bridge is fitted.

Different from cleaning natural teeth, but manageable. You can’t floss between the bridge teeth the same way — they’re connected. Instead, we recommend superfloss (which threads under the bridge) and interdental brushes (which clean the gap between bridge and gum). Water flossers work brilliantly too. It takes 5–10 extra seconds a day, and becomes routine quickly. Regular hygiene appointments professionally clean the areas that are harder to reach.

The implants themselves typically last a lifetime with proper care. The bridge restoration on top usually lasts 15–20 years before needing replacement due to normal wear. Regular hygiene visits and check-ups maximise longevity. Keeping the area beneath the bridge meticulously clean is essential — we’ll show you how.

Yes — and in some cases, absolutely should. Traditional bridges require drilling down healthy neighbouring teeth to serve as anchors. Over 10–15 years, those prepared teeth often develop problems. Implant bridges avoid this entirely. If your traditional bridge fails or needs replacing, an implant bridge is often the best long-term solution — preserving your other teeth completely.

For adjacent missing teeth, implant bridges are usually more cost-effective without compromising stability. Individual implants are typically preferred when: the missing teeth are not adjacent (separated by natural teeth); where isolated gaps exist; or when you want each tooth to be fully independent for long-term maintenance flexibility. For 3–4 adjacent missing teeth, bridges are usually the better option.

The implants themselves can last a lifetime with proper care. The denture portion typically needs replacing every 5–10 years as gums change shape and materials wear. The attachment clips or o-rings inside the denture may need replacing annually or every few years. Overall, implant dentures are an extremely long-lasting solution when maintained properly.

Most are removable — they clip onto the implants via small attachments. You take them out for cleaning, then click them back into place. Some patients opt for ‘fixed’ implant dentures that are screwed on permanently (more like All-on-4). Removable is more affordable, easier to clean and maintain, and suits most patients best. We’ll discuss both options at consultation.

It depends on the arch. For a lower implant denture, 2 implants are usually sufficient because the tongue helps stabilise a well-fitting lower denture. For an upper implant denture, 4 implants are typically recommended for full stability (the upper jaw has softer bone and the palate-less design of implant dentures needs more anchors). Your 3D scan will confirm the right plan.

Often, yes. If your current dentures are in good condition and fit reasonably well, they can sometimes be modified to clip onto implants after placement. For older or poorly-fitting dentures, it may be better to make new dentures designed specifically for the implants. We’ll assess your current dentures at consultation and recommend the best approach.

Yes. Age itself isn’t a contraindication. Many of our implant patients are in their 60s, 70s and beyond. What matters is your general health, bone quality and gum health — not your age. For older patients or those with certain medical conditions, we adjust the treatment plan accordingly, but implants are rarely ruled out entirely. Your consultation will confirm suitability.

Bone grafting can rebuild lost bone, creating the foundation needed for successful implant placement. Techniques include socket preservation at the time of extraction, block grafts for larger deficiencies, and sinus lifts for upper back teeth. Some cases can also use specialist implants (like zygomatic implants) that anchor into other facial bones. At your consultation, we’ll assess your bone and recommend the right approach.

Yes — absolutely. For multiple adjacent missing teeth, we typically use fewer implants than missing teeth: for example, 3 implants can support a bridge replacing 4 teeth. For full arch replacement, techniques like All-on-4 use just 4 implants to support a fixed full set of teeth. Your options depend on how many teeth are missing and where. We’ll map out the best approach at your consultation.

The general rule: sooner is better, but not too soon. Bone loss begins quickly after tooth loss, and waiting years means you may need bone grafting to support an implant. However, immediate placement (at the time of extraction) isn’t always ideal — the bone and gum often need 2–3 months to heal before implant placement. The ‘sweet spot’ for most cases is 2–6 months post-extraction. We’ll advise based on your specific tooth and healing.