Dental Implants
A dental implant, sometimes called a tooth implant, is a small titanium post placed in the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth; once it has bonded with the bone, a crown is fitted on top so you can bite and smile with it much like a natural tooth. At our Al Qusais, Dubai clinic, implants are planned and placed by our oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Who is suitable for dental implants?
Most adults with one or more missing teeth can be considered. At the consultation the surgeon checks that you have:
- Enough jawbone at the site, or bone that can be built up with a graft
- Healthy gums: active gum disease is treated first
- A fully grown jaw, so implants are not placed under the age of 18
- Stable general health: conditions such as diabetes need to be well controlled
Smoking slows healing and raises the risk of an implant failing, so you are asked to stop, at least while it heals.
How does the treatment work?
- Assessment and 3D scan. A CBCT (cone beam) scan shows your bone volume and the position of nerves and sinuses, and the implant's position, angle and depth are planned on it.
- Bone grafting, if needed. Where the bone is too thin, a graft is placed first and usually heals for 4–6 months.
- Placing the implant. Under local anaesthesia, each implant takes about 30–60 minutes. You are reviewed at 6–8 weeks.
- Healing. Over 8–16 weeks the bone bonds to the implant, a process called osseointegration.
- Fitting the crown. A scan is sent to the laboratory, and the shade-matched crown is fitted and your bite checked.
Implant, bridge or denture?
All three replace missing teeth. Which suits you depends on your bone, the neighbouring teeth and your plans, and the surgeon explains the options for your case.
| Implant | Bridge | Removable denture | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgery | Yes, minor, under local anaesthesia | No | No |
| Neighbouring teeth | Left untouched | Shaped to hold crowns | Clasps may rest on them |
| Jawbone at the gap | Helps keep the bone | Can shrink over time | Can shrink over time |
| Fixed or removable | Fixed | Fixed | Taken out to clean |
Implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth, support a bridge over two or more gaps, or hold a full arch on four or six implants (All-on-4 / All-on-6).
How long do dental implants last?
Implants are designed for long-term use, but how long yours lasts depends on daily cleaning, regular check-ups, gum health and not smoking. Implants can still fail. The crown on top wears with chewing and may need replacing after many years, which does not usually affect the implant itself.
If a damaged tooth has to come out first, see tooth extraction.
How much do dental implants cost in Dubai?
A dental implant at our clinic starts from AED 2,999 per implant, and your written plan shows the full cost, including any bone grafting, before you start; see all prices.
Risks and what to expect
What to expect
An implant is placed under local anaesthesia and usually needs a few months to heal into the bone before the crown is fitted. Bone grafting may be needed first. Implants need daily cleaning and regular check-ups.
Possible side effects and risks
- Swelling, bruising and discomfort for a few days after surgery
- Infection around the implant (peri-implantitis), especially with smoking or poor cleaning
- The implant not fusing with the bone and needing to be removed or replaced
- Rarely, nerve injury causing numbness or tingling, or sinus problems for upper back teeth
- The crown can loosen, chip or need replacing over time
Results vary from person to person and are not guaranteed. At your consultation your clinician will explain the risks that apply to you, and the alternatives, before you decide.
Dental Implants — Frequently Asked Questions
It is done under local anaesthesia, so most people feel pressure rather than pain while the implant is placed. Swelling and soreness for a few days afterwards are common, and the surgeon explains pain relief and aftercare before you go home.
Usually two to four months from placing the implant to fitting the crown, because the bone needs 8–16 weeks to bond with the implant. If a bone graft is needed first, it usually heals for 4–6 months before the implant goes in.
Often, yes. If the 3D scan shows the bone is too thin, a bone graft can build it up before the implant is placed. The surgeon tells you at the consultation whether you need grafting and how it changes your timeline.
Implants are designed for long-term use, but this depends on cleaning, regular check-ups, gum health and not smoking, and implants can still fail. The crown on top may need replacing over the years because of normal wear.
From AED 2,999 per implant. The final cost depends on how many implants you need, whether bone grafting is required and the type of crown or bridge, and it is confirmed after the surgeon has examined you and reviewed your scan. Your first consultation is free.
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Interested in Dental Implants?
Meet the clinician, get a clear plan with the price, and decide in your own time. We are in Al Qusais, Dubai, open every day from 10 am to 10 pm.
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