Skip to main content
Jonathan Lane – Implant and Restorative Dentistry

What to expect

Your implant journey, step by step

From first consultation to finished tooth usually takes three to six months — most of it quiet healing time, not appointments. Here's the whole journey at Kirkgate Dental Surgery, with nothing glossed over.

  1. 1

    One visit · about an hour

    Consultation and CBCT scan

    It starts with a conversation, not a sales pitch. Jon listens to what's bothering you and what you'd like to achieve, examines your teeth and gums, and takes a CBCT (3D) scan of your jaw on our own scanner — all included in the £90 fee. The scan shows the exact shape and depth of your bone and where your nerves and sinuses sit. By the end of the visit you'll know honestly whether implants are suitable for you.

  2. 2

    Within a few days

    Your written plan

    Jon plans your implant digitally on the scan and sends you a written treatment plan: what he recommends and why, what the alternatives are, exactly what it costs, and how long it will take. Take it home, talk it over, ask us anything. Nothing happens until you say so.

  3. 3

    One visit · typically under an hour per implant

    Implant placement

    Placement day is calmer than most people expect. The area is fully numbed with local anaesthetic, the implant is placed into the planned position, and you go home the same day. Most patients manage any soreness with ordinary painkillers and are back to normal routines within a day or two. If the gap would show, you'll have a temporary tooth — you won't walk out with a visible space.

  4. 4

    2–4 months

    Healing and integration

    Now your bone does the quiet work, growing tightly around the implant until it's held like a natural root. You'll live completely normally during this time. Jon checks the healing along the way, and these review visits are included — another reason a dentist ten minutes away beats a clinic an hour down the A64.

  5. 5

    Usually two visits

    Your new tooth

    Once the implant is solid, a precise digital impression is taken and your crown, bridge or denture is crafted to match your natural teeth — shade, shape and bite. Jon fits it, fine-tunes it, and checks everything feels right. This is the day the gap stops being part of your life.

  6. 6

    Ongoing

    Aftercare for the long term

    Your implant is finished; keeping it healthy is a routine, not a project. Brush twice daily, clean around the implant daily with the technique we'll show you, and keep regular check-ups and hygiene visits. Implants can't decay, but gums still need care — and because we're local, your aftercare stays with the dentist who placed it.

Timelines vary person to person — extractions, bone grafting or medical factors can extend them, and Jon will give you a realistic schedule for your own case at your consultation. Implants are not suitable for everyone; suitability is always assessed first.

Questions

About the process

Does getting a dental implant hurt?
The placement itself is done under local anaesthetic, so you shouldn't feel pain during the procedure — most patients say it feels easier than they expected, often comparing it to having a tooth removed. Afterwards it's normal to have some soreness and swelling for a few days, which usually settles with ordinary painkillers. Everyone heals differently, and Jon will talk you through what to expect for your own treatment.
How long does the implant process take from start to finish?
Most single implant treatments take around three to six months from consultation to finished crown. The implant itself is usually placed in one visit; most of the remaining time is healing, while the implant fuses with your jawbone. Some cases take longer — for example if a tooth needs removing first or bone grafting is needed. You'll get a realistic timeline for your case at your consultation.
What is a CBCT scan and why do I need one?
A CBCT (cone beam CT) scan is a 3D X-ray of your jaw. It shows the exact height, width and quality of your bone, and where your nerves and sinuses sit — things a normal flat X-ray can't show. It's how an implant is planned safely and precisely. The scanner is on site at Kirkgate Dental Surgery and the scan is included in your £90 consultation.
Will I be left without teeth while the implant heals?
No — if the gap shows when you smile, we'll arrange a temporary solution, such as a temporary denture or bridge, while the implant integrates. You won't be sent out of the door with a visible gap.
What happens at the £90 implant consultation?
You'll meet Jon for an unhurried assessment: a conversation about what you want to achieve, an examination of your teeth and gums, and a CBCT (3D) scan of your jaw — included in the £90 fee. You'll leave knowing whether implants are suitable for you, what the options are, and what each would cost. A written treatment plan follows, and there's no pressure to decide on the day.
How do I look after a dental implant?
Much like a natural tooth: brush twice a day, clean between teeth daily (we'll show you exactly how around the implant), and keep up regular check-ups and hygiene appointments. Implants can't decay, but the gum and bone around them can become inflamed if plaque builds up — good daily cleaning is what protects your investment.

Step one takes an hour. Book it when you're ready.

Book a £90 consultation with Jon — it includes your CBCT (3D) scan, and you'll leave with honest answers and a written plan to consider in your own time.

Book a consultation Call 01937 835551
Call us Book a consultation