Dental implants, explained in plain English.
What an implant is, how the treatment works, whether it suits you, and what to ask before you agree to anything. No jargon, and every medical point linked to its source.
Medically reviewed by Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, implant surgeon · Updated October 2026
An implant has three parts
- Crown The tooth you see
- Abutment The connector
- Implant The new root, in the bone
Five steps to understanding implants
Read them in order, or jump to the question you have.
- What is an implant?The parts, and how it differs from a bridge or denture.
- Am I suitable?Bone, health, smoking and other things that matter.
- The procedureFrom X-ray to final tooth, stage by stage.
- What it costsNHS, private and what decides the price.
- Looking after itDaily care that keeps implants healthy for years.
Tap a part to see where it sits
Illustrative diagram, not to scale. Based on the Oral Health Foundation's description of dental implants.
Questions people ask about implants
What types are there?
Single implants, bridges, clip-on dentures and full arches.
Read more →Does the brand matter?
Why your dentist should name the implant, and the brands you may see.
Read more →Titanium or zirconia?
What implants and crowns are made of, in plain English.
Read more →What is an implant passport?
The record that lets any dentist help you later.
Read more →What can go wrong?
The real risks, warning signs and how to lower them.
Read more →"Not enough bone"?
Bone grafts and sinus lifts, and when they're needed.
Read more →
We're a dental clinic. We'd rather tell you that up front.
This guide is published by Precious Dental in Antalya and medically reviewed by Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, who graduated from Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Dentistry in 2019 and is registered with the Turkish Dental Association (no. 49105).
Our promise: general information here is written to help you understand implants, wherever you choose to have treatment. Where we mention our own clinic, we say so clearly.
What is a dental implant?
A small titanium post placed in the jawbone to replace a tooth's root. Once healed, it can hold a crown, a bridge or a denture.
How long does an implant take to heal?
The Oral Health Foundation says healing usually takes around four months before the crown, bridge or denture is attached.
Are dental implants available on the NHS?
Usually not. The NHS says implants are usually only available privately, except in rare cases such as for people who cannot wear dentures after mouth cancer or an accident.
How long do dental implants last?
With good care they can last many years, but the Oral Health Foundation says there is no lifetime guarantee.
Have a question about your own case?
Send us your question, your X-ray or a quote you've been given. A real person replies, in plain English. Free and no obligation.