Dental implants guide: what to expect, aftercare and problems

What is a dental implant and what does it look like?

Cleveland Clinic describes implants as small, threaded posts surgically placed in the jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots. Most are titanium, though some are ceramic. A standard implant has three parts: the post in the jaw, a small connector called an abutment that sits just above the gum, and the visible restoration, which is a crown, bridge or denture. Once healed, what you see is the restoration, so a single implant crown looks like a natural tooth. The post and abutment are hidden below and at the gumline, which is why the question of what an implant looks like has two answers: an X-ray shows a screw-shaped post in the bone, and in the mouth you see the tooth on top.

Types of implant treatment

Cleveland Clinic lists a single-tooth implant with a crown, an implant bridge in which two or more implants support three or more teeth, and a full-arch option that usually uses four to six implants. Its page on implant-supported dentures describes All-on-4 as a fixed denture on four implants, and separates removable versions from fixed ones that only a dentist can take out. Adequate jawbone is required, and if bone has been lost a graft may be needed first.

How painful is a dental implant?

Cleveland Clinic says implants are placed under anesthesia, with optional sedation, so no pain is expected during surgery. Slight discomfort and swelling afterwards are normal and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, and most people feel like themselves within about a week. Pain that is severe, does not respond to medication or gets worse after the first week is a reason to call. Cleveland Clinic's implant-supported denture page lists severe bleeding, pain that medication does not relieve, pus and a fever of 101°F or higher as reasons to contact your dentist.

How to clean implants, including all-on-4

Cleveland Clinic's implant-supported denture page says to clean dentures at least twice a day. For removable versions, take them out daily and soak them overnight in denture solution. For fixed dentures such as All-on-4, brush like natural teeth with a soft-bristled brush and nonabrasive toothpaste, and clean underneath with floss threaders, interproximal brushes or similar tools. Brush and floss thoroughly around the implants and keep regular exams and cleanings. Your dentist can show you which tools suit the way your restoration is built.

Why do dental implants fail?

Cleveland Clinic says warning signs of failure include a loose or wobbly implant, bleeding or swollen gums, pus, fever and swollen neck lymph nodes, and that implants may be unsuitable with active gum disease, bone disorders, some autoimmune diseases, extensive decay, poor hygiene, severe jaw bone loss or unmanaged diabetes. It adds that smoking or vaping can disrupt healing. Healthline cites a 2022 study in which 93 percent of implants survived 20 years, a 2020 study reporting an 11 percent failure rate in smokers versus 5 percent in nonsmokers, and higher complication rates in people with gum disease who did not follow supportive care. Other factors Healthline lists include diabetes, osteoporosis, a weakened immune system and chemotherapy or radiation.

Is a loose dental implant an emergency?

Neither source we read ranks it as an emergency, but both treat looseness as a warning sign. Healthline says a loose implant may not have set correctly and may not work well for chewing or speaking, and Cleveland Clinic lists a loose or wobbly implant first among the reasons to call. Call the same day if you can. If it comes with swelling, pus or fever, treat it as urgent. Do not keep chewing on it, and keep the area clean until you are seen. The sources we read do not explain what to do if an implant screw comes out, so contact your dentist promptly and keep any part that falls out.

Can dental implants cause cancer?

The sources we read do not address this. Healthline's safety article lists risks including surgical injury to nearby teeth, bone, tissue or sinus, nerve damage, infection, long healing times and tooth sensitivity, and names people having chemotherapy or radiation as less-than-ideal candidates, but it does not discuss cancer risk from implants. If this worries you, ask your dentist or doctor for evidence for your own situation.

What dentists do not always mention

Common surprises are the length of the process and the fact that the visible tooth may need replacing before the post does. Cleveland Clinic says crowns and bridges typically last about 15 years and dentures at least seven, though this varies, while the implant itself can last a lifetime with good hygiene and regular visits. Healing of the bone fusing to the implant takes roughly three to nine months. Ask for the full timeline, the steps in order and what each stage involves before you agree to treatment.

Questions to ask your dentist

Ask for answers in writing and compare more than one opinion for major treatment.

• Do I have enough bone, or will I need a graft first?
• How many appointments, and how long is each healing stage?
• How should I clean this type of restoration?
• Which conditions or habits, such as smoking, raise my risk?
• Who do I call if something feels loose, and how fast can I be seen?

Guides in this topic

Frequently asked questions