Dental implants in Islington, N1: one implant dentist from scan to crown

Who dental implants suit, and who they do not

Most adults missing one or more teeth, with healthy gums, enough bone and stable general health, are suitable. Implants suit people who want a fixed tooth that does not involve cutting the neighbouring teeth for a bridge, and people whose denture no longer holds.

They are not the first step when gum disease is active (we treat that first), when smoking is heavy (we ask you to stop around treatment because it raises the failure risk markedly), when diabetes is poorly controlled, or when certain bone medicines are being taken. Thin bone can often be grafted, but we say so before you commit, not after. Where a case sits outside what we should be doing here, we refer. A bone graft, a full arch on four to six implants, or a bridge or denture are explained as alternatives at the consultation; our comparison of implant, bridge and denture sets out the trade-offs.

Three things decide suitability, and we assess each one rather than guess. Bone: an implant needs enough bone volume and density; where a tooth has been missing for years the bone often shrinks, and imaging, not a look in the mirror, tells us whether grafting is needed or whether a bridge is the more sensible choice. Gums: active gum disease is a genuine contraindication because implants can be lost to peri-implantitis, so gum treatment comes first and implant planning waits. General health and smoking: poorly controlled diabetes, certain bone medicines, immunosuppressive treatment and previous radiotherapy to the jaws all affect the odds; smoking raises the risk of early failure. We would rather turn a case down than place an implant into a situation that will not hold.

Implant treatment at Essex Road

Implant planning, placement and the final crown all happen at 222 Essex Road: the scan used to map bone and nerves, the treatment rooms, and the clinician who sees the case through.

The implant process, step by step

1. Consultation and imaging. History, examination, gum assessment and the imaging needed to see bone height and width and the position of nerves and sinuses. A discussion of the options, including the ones that are not implants.
2. Written plan and itemised quote. Including any preparatory work: gum treatment, extraction or grafting. You leave with both in writing.
3. Placement. Usually under local anaesthetic; a single implant takes about an hour. Most patients are comfortable within a day or two. A temporary tooth covers a visible gap while you heal.
4. Healing, three to six months. Depending on the site, bone quality and whether grafting was involved. Reviewed during this period.
5. Crown. Once integration is confirmed, the implant is scanned and the final crown, bridge or denture fitted, matched to your own teeth.
6. Maintenance. Reviews and 30-minute hygiene visits; the implant lasts only as long as the gum around it is kept healthy, so this part is not optional.

Dr Rishil Patel · BDS (Hons) King's College London 2008 · MClinDent Implantology · MJDF · GDC 154292. Plans each case himself from assessment to final crown. Restorative planning with Dr Vishal Patel, MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry, GDC 103127, founder of the practice in 2010. Profile

What a dental implant costs in Islington

0% APR finance over 12 months via Tabeo, subject to status: £2,200 is about £183 a month. London private clinics typically charge £2,000–£3,500 for a single implant with crown; a very low "from" price elsewhere usually quotes the post alone. A bridge costs less today but usually needs replacing within ten to fifteen years; a well-maintained implant can last decades. Implant success rates are described in the literature as high over ten years for well-selected, well-maintained cases; that phrasing is deliberate: our guarantee below covers the parts, not a promise that an implant lasts for life.

Our implant guarantee

Every implant placed here uses a Straumann or Osstem system and is covered by a written guarantee: 10 years on the implant fixture and 5 years on the crown, from the date the final crown is fitted. If the implant fails to integrate, or the crown fractures, within that period, we replace the part at no charge. The appointment time to replace it, and any grafting or other work a replacement needs, are quoted separately in writing.

The guarantee holds while you attend a dental examination at least once a year and hygiene visits with us twice a year; if you move away, full records from your new practice are accepted instead. It does not cover failure linked to smoking, gum disease, accident or trauma, teeth grinding, an unrestored mouth (untreated decay or failing fillings elsewhere), or other missing teeth left unreplaced so that the implant crown carries a heavy load. The full terms are set out in writing in your treatment plan and consent form before anything is agreed.

Questions patients ask about dental implants in Islington

How much is a single dental implant in Islington?

From £2,200 including the crown. Grafting or extraction, where needed, is quoted separately in writing.

Is the consultation really free?

Yes. We offer four free implant consultations a month. When they are taken, the next free place is the following month; alternatively start with a £65 dental examination.

How long does the whole process take?

Usually four to eight months from placement to final crown; longer if a graft has to heal first.

Does it hurt?

Placement is under local anaesthetic. Expect swelling and tenderness for a few days, managed with ordinary painkillers.

What is the downside of dental implants?

It is surgery, it takes months, and it fails in a small minority of cases, more often in smokers and where gum disease is not controlled. We tell you your own risk at the consultation.

Am I too old for implants?

Age itself is not a barrier; bone, gum health and general health are what we assess.

Is there a guarantee on dental implants?

Yes: 10 years on the implant fixture and 5 years on the crown, in writing, on Straumann and Osstem implants. It is conditional on annual examinations and six-monthly hygiene visits, and excludes smoking, gum disease, trauma and grinding. The full terms are in your treatment plan and consent form.

Can I pay monthly?

Yes: 0% APR finance over 12 months via Tabeo, subject to status, on the written quotation.

What patients say about their care here

Google reviews, reproduced as written.

I booked an emergency appointment for my broken tooth. After the check-up, the dentist suggested a treatment, which was carried out quickly and efficiently. My tooth looks just as it did before. I’m 100% satisfied — thank you so much!

Kaede, Google review

From my visits, my impression is that Dr Vishal is exactly what you need from a dentist— friendly, honest, helpful and clear leaving you feeling that your oral hygiene is under expert care. Booking in with him has always been easy and nice staff working there. Would definitely recommend

Fred, Google review

Dr Vishal Patel is a fantastic dentist—professional, kind, and very thorough. He explained everything clearly and made the visit comfortable and stress-free. Highly recommend!

Sara, Google review

Getting here

222 Essex Road is two minutes from Essex Road station. Directions from Angel, Highbury, Canonbury, Dalston, Hackney, Stoke Newington, Holloway, Shoreditch, Clerkenwell, King's Cross, Finsbury Park and Hoxton. Surgical appointments are booked in the morning so you can rest at home afterwards; someone can collect you if sedation is used.