Dental Implants
People travel from across London and the South-East of the UK to Gallions Reach for their dental implant treatments, because our highly experienced clinicians are renowned for offering an exceptional standard of patient care.
A superb clinic for dental implant treatments in South-East London
Dental implants are an excellent, long-lasting treatment for replacing missing or failing teeth and for securing removable dentures. They can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even all your teeth. They restore the joy of eating an unrestricted diet, and for many people, they lead to greatly increased social confidence.
Dental implants:
- are a tried and tested method of tooth replacement, using an artificial root (the implant) and a crown (the tooth) to closely resemble your natural teeth
- allow you to smile with confidence and place no restrictions on your diet
- are the only tooth replacement option that preserves jaw bone, which is otherwise lost over time
- help to maintain your appearance by preventing the ‘facial collapse’ that often follows tooth loss
- do not damage neighbouring teeth, whereas bridges and dentures can
- can be used to make loose dentures secure.
What makes Gallions Reach a superb choice for your implant treatment is the depth of our expertise. Our implantologists are internationally renowned, and we are trusted by dentists across London and the UK, who refer their own patients to us for implant care. If you are currently considering dental implants and would like some further advice, arrange a callback from our friendly team using our quick and confidential online form.
Daniel’s ‘What are dental implants?’ – VIDEO
Speak to our Experts
Talk to our patient care manager today to discuss the options available and to arrange your initial appointment.
Meet our highly experienced implantologists
Our team comprises the skills and experience of multiple implant surgery specialists. Click on the profile pictures below for further information.
Anthony Bendkowski
Implantologist
Anthony Bendkowski is a specialist in oral surgery. He qualified from University College Hospital Dental School, London, in 1982 and subsequently gained extensive experience in both hospital and practice-based oral surgery. He has over twenty five years of experience in both the surgical and restorative management of implant cases.
Suleman Gillan
Implantologist
Suleman has a special interest in implants, bone grafting, Invisalign and conservative restorative procedures. He takes a holistic approach to patient care and passionately believes that nothing is better than a patient’s own tooth. He has a meticulous and gentle style of working and has consistently impressed patients by creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere during their visits.
Daniel Bateman
Implantologist
Born in 1974 in Brentwood, Essex, Daniel ‘always wanted to be a dentist’ and proudly qualified from The Royal London Hospital in 1997. He has worked at Gallions Reach since 2000 and has been placing dental implants since 2001. He has an interest in all aspects of dentistry, but mainly spends his time removing teeth and placing implants.
Whether it is a single tooth, multiple teeth, or a full arch with 'Teeth in a Day', we have a treatment that will suit your needs.
Single tooth
A dental implant, which looks and functions like a real tooth, is the complete answer to the problem of a missing or failing natural tooth.
Until recently, the only alternatives to filling the gap left by a missing tooth were a bridge or a denture, both of which can be uncomfortable and difficult to maintain. An implant, on the other hand, is a replacement that feels good, looks good, and is the next best thing to a natural tooth. Furthermore, unlike a bridge or a denture, a properly maintained implant is more likely to last a lifetime.
Placement is a relatively simple and painless process that we normally perform under local anaesthesia, although sedation is also available for patients who would prefer it. In some cases, we can place a temporary crown straight away, but it usually takes the implant about three months to integrate fully with the bone before we can place the permanent crown.
Visit our single tooth dental implant page for further details about how we deliver this treatment at our London clinic.
Multiple teeth
Your chewing, appearance, and confidence can all be improved by replacing several teeth at the same time.
The most common occurrence of adjacent missing teeth is with the molars at the back of the jaw. Although not as visually obvious as the front teeth, it is very important that these are replaced, because they are the multi-rooted teeth that do the ‘heavy work’ of crunching up food. If they are missing, some of that function gets transferred to single-rooted teeth at the front of your mouth, which are simply not designed to cope with the task.
If you have several adjacent teeth missing or that need replacing, we can often join them together to form a bridge supported by implants. This is a better, and sometimes more economical, solution than replacing each individual tooth with its own implant.
Visit our multiple teeth dental implant page for further details.
Teeth in a Day – A full arch
This procedure allows patients to have multiple failing teeth replaced with a secure, fixed restoration in a single visit.
Recent technological advances have led to the development of a procedure called ‘Teeth in a Day’, also referred to as ‘All-on-4’. This technique gives patients a complete set of fixed replacement teeth in either the upper or lower jaw, using only four implants and with minimal surgery. It is enormously beneficial for people who have lost the majority of, or all of, their teeth in either the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both.
We can replace a conventional removable denture, remove failing teeth if required, place implants, and fix a full restoration all in one day. It avoids the need to live with a temporary denture in between having your existing teeth extracted and the new implants placed, something that previously could have taken many months.
Visit our full arch dental implant treatment page for further details.
Is the implant procedure painful?
How long does the treatment take from start to finish?
How long do dental implants last?
With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, the implant itself can last a lifetime. The crown, bridge, or denture attached to the implant is subject to normal wear and typically lasts fifteen to twenty-five years before it may need replacing. Dental implants have one of the highest success rates of any dental procedure, with long-term success rates in the region of 95%.
Am I a suitable candidate for dental implants?
Most adults in good general health are suitable candidates. The main factors we assess are the health of your gums and the density of your jaw bone, which we evaluate using digital scans during your consultation. Conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, active gum disease, or heavy smoking can increase the risk of complications, but they do not automatically rule out implant treatment. Even patients who have been told they do not have enough bone may still be candidates, thanks to modern techniques such as bone grafting and All-on-4.
What if I do not have enough bone for an implant?
If a tooth has been missing for some time, the surrounding jaw bone may have shrunk. In these cases, we can often carry out a bone graft to rebuild the area before the implant is placed. Alternatively, the All-on-4 technique is specifically designed to make the most of the bone you already have, often eliminating the need for grafting altogether. Your clinician will discuss the best approach for your individual case at your consultation.
Can I have implants if I smoke?
Yes, although smoking does increase the risk of complications and implant failure, because it restricts blood flow to the gums and slows healing. We strongly recommend stopping, or at least significantly reducing, smoking before treatment and throughout the healing period.
How long is the recovery after implant surgery?
Most patients feel well enough to return to work and normal daily activities within one to three days. Mild swelling and bruising usually settle within a week. You will need to stick to soft foods for the first couple of weeks, avoid strenuous exercise for about a week, and follow our aftercare advice carefully. Full bone integration, however, continues quietly beneath the surface for several months.
Will my dental implant look natural?
Yes. Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. The crown is custom-made to match the colour, shape, and size of your surrounding teeth, so that the implant blends in seamlessly. In most cases, neither you nor anyone else will be able to tell the difference.
How do I look after my dental implants?
Caring for implants is much the same as caring for natural teeth: brush twice a day, clean between the teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes, and attend regular check-ups and hygienist appointments. Good oral hygiene is the single biggest factor in the long-term success of your implants, helping to prevent peri-implantitis, an infection of the gum and bone surrounding the implant.
Are dental implants worth the cost?
While dental implants are a significant investment, they are generally regarded as the most cost-effective long-term solution for tooth loss. Unlike bridges and dentures, which may need replacing every five to ten years, a well-maintained implant can last a lifetime. Implants also preserve the jaw bone and protect your remaining natural teeth from the additional strain caused by gaps. We offer a range of finance options to help spread the cost into manageable monthly payments.
Frequently asked questions
Exceptional quality dental implants in South-East London
People seeking a high-quality private clinic offering dental implants in London choose Gallions Reach because we offer a superb clinical environment, with a team of experts who deliver an exceptional standard of patient care. We also offer a range of finance options for those looking to spread the cost of any of the implant treatments that we offer.
Based in Thamesmead, South-East London, we are within easy reach of Greenwich, Woolwich, and Bexleyheath. Get in touch with our support team for advice on your next steps.