Losing a tooth affects more than just your smile. It can make eating harder, change the shape of your face over time, and knock your confidence when talking or laughing. If you’re living with one or more missing teeth, dental implants are widely considered the best long-term replacement available today.
At Smile Arch Dental and Implant Centre on Shorncliffe Road, we help patients across Folkestone, Hythe, Dover and the wider Kent area restore their smiles with implants that look, feel and function like natural teeth. In this guide, we’ll explain exactly what dental implants are, how much they cost, what happens at each stage of treatment, and what you can expect afterwards.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a small titanium post that is placed into your jawbone, where it acts as an artificial tooth root. Over a few months, the bone naturally fuses with the implant in a process called osseointegration. Once healed, the implant becomes a strong, stable base for a crown, bridge or full set of teeth.
Unlike dentures, implants don’t slip or move. Unlike traditional bridges, they don’t require your healthy neighbouring teeth to be filed down. That’s why so many patients choose implants as their permanent solution.
Types of Dental Implants We Offer in Folkestone
Every patient is different, so we tailor treatment to your needs. The three main options are:
Single Dental Implants. If you’re missing one tooth, a single implant topped with a custom-made crown fills the gap and blends in seamlessly with your natural teeth. Learn more about single dental implants.
Multiple Dental Implants. If you’re missing two or more teeth, several implants can support individual crowns or an implant bridge, giving you a fixed and secure result without relying on partial dentures. Learn more about multiple dental implants.
All-on-4 (Smile in a Day). For patients missing most or all of their teeth, All-on-4 uses just four strategically angled implants to support a full arch of fixed teeth. In many cases, you can leave the clinic with a temporary set of teeth on the same day. Learn more about All-on-4 dental implants.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost in Folkestone?
This is one of the most common questions we’re asked. The cost of dental implants depends on several factors, including:
- The number of teeth being replaced
- The type of restoration (crown, bridge or full arch)
- Whether you need additional treatment such as bone grafting or extractions
- The materials used for your final teeth
Your exact cost will be confirmed after your consultation and 3D scan, and we always discuss fees clearly and upfront so there are no hidden surprises.
Spreading the Cost with Dental Finance
We understand that implants are an investment. That’s why we offer flexible patient finance options, allowing you to spread the cost of treatment into manageable monthly payments. Our team is happy to talk you through the options available during your consultation.
Why Implants Are Good Value Long Term
While implants cost more upfront than dentures, they can last many years, often decades, with proper care. Dentures and bridges usually need replacing or adjusting over time, so implants often work out as better value over your lifetime.
The Dental Implant Process: Step by Step
Many patients feel nervous simply because they don’t know what to expect. Here’s exactly how treatment works at Smile Arch Dental.
Step 1: Free Consultation and Assessment
Your journey begins with a consultation with our implant team. We’ll listen to your concerns and goals, examine your mouth, and take digital X-rays and 3D scans to check the health and density of your jawbone. We’ll then explain your options and give you a personalised treatment plan with clear costs.
Step 2: Treatment Planning
Using your digital scans, we plan the precise position, angle and depth of each implant. This careful planning helps ensure accurate placement, a comfortable procedure and a natural-looking final result.
Step 3: Implant Placement
The implant is placed into your jawbone under local anaesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. For anxious patients, we also offer IV sedation to help you feel calm and relaxed throughout.
Step 4: Healing (Osseointegration)
Over the following weeks and months, the implant fuses with your jawbone to create a strong foundation. If needed, a temporary tooth can be fitted during this time so you’re never left with a visible gap.
Step 5: Fitting Your Final Teeth
Once healing is complete, we attach your custom-made crown, bridge or full arch. Your new teeth are designed to match the shade and shape of your natural smile.
For single implants, the whole process usually takes around 3 to 6 months from implant placement to final crown, depending on how quickly you heal.
What to Expect After Dental Implant Surgery
Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable recovery is. In the first few days, you may experience:
- Mild swelling or tenderness around the area
- Slight bruising in some cases
- Minor discomfort, which is usually well controlled with over-the-counter painkillers
Most people return to work within a day or two. We’ll give you full aftercare instructions, including sticking to soft foods for a short period, keeping the area clean, and avoiding smoking, which can slow healing.
How to Look After Your Dental Implants
Implants can’t decay, but the gums and bone around them still need care. To keep your implants healthy for years to come:
- Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily
- Use interdental brushes or a water flosser around implants
- Attend regular check-ups and hygienist appointments
- Avoid smoking and limit very hard foods
Our patient membership plans are a great way to keep up with regular check-ups and hygiene visits while spreading the cost monthly.
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
You may be a good candidate for dental implants if you:
- Have one or more missing teeth
- Are in good general health
- Have healthy gums
- Have enough jawbone to support an implant (or are suitable for bone grafting)
- Are unhappy with loose or uncomfortable dentures
Even if you’ve been told in the past that you’re not suitable, it’s worth having a fresh assessment. Modern techniques mean many more patients can now benefit from implants.
Why Choose Smile Arch Dental for Dental Implants in Folkestone?
- Experienced implant team from the people behind Warwick Lodge Dental and Implant Centre in Herne Bay
- Advanced digital 3D scanning for precise, safe planning
- Sedation options for nervous patients
- Clear, upfront pricing with flexible finance
- Convenient location on Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone, with late opening on Mondays until 7:30pm
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dental implants hurt?
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel pain. Most patients describe the aftermath as milder than a tooth extraction. Sedation is also available.
How long do dental implants last?
With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, dental implants can last many years, and often a lifetime.
How long does the whole implant process take?
For a single implant, treatment typically takes 3 to 6 months from placement to final crown. All-on-4 patients can often receive temporary teeth on the same day.
Can I get dental implants if I’ve lost bone?
In many cases, yes. Bone grafting or alternative techniques such as All-on-4 can make implants possible even where bone loss has occurred.
Can I pay for dental implants monthly?
Yes. We offer patient finance so you can spread the cost of your treatment.
Do you offer implants for nervous patients?
Absolutely. We regularly treat anxious patients and offer IV sedation to help you feel relaxed. Read more about how we care for nervous patients.
Book Your Dental Implant Consultation in Folkestone
If you’re ready to stop hiding your smile, we’re here to help. Book your implant consultation at Smile Arch Dental today and find out which option is right for you.
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