Dental Implants in Dublin | From €750 in Smithfield

A dental implant is a small, biocompatible titanium screw that is placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Over a healing period of a few months, the implant fuses with the bone in a process called osseointegration, creating a stable foundation. A custom ceramic crown is then attached on top, giving you a replacement tooth that looks, feels, and functions like the real thing. Unlike a denture, an implant is fixed in place; unlike a conventional bridge, it does not require grinding down the healthy teeth on either side.

Most adults with reasonable general and oral health can be considered for implants, but suitability is individual. Healthy gums, enough bone to support the implant and the ability to keep the area clean all matter. Smoking, untreated gum disease, some health conditions and certain medicines may affect healing or increase the risk of failure, so it is important to give the dentist a complete medical and dental history. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone beneath it gradually shrinks and neighbouring teeth can drift; replacing the root with an implant can help maintain the bone and the bite.

Limited bone volume does not automatically rule out treatment. Dr. Aliwi assesses the available bone and the position of nearby structures with an examination and digital X-ray planning. Depending on the findings, options may include allowing an extraction site to heal, bone grafting or choosing a different form of tooth replacement. Any additional procedure changes the treatment plan, recovery and cost, and is discussed before you decide whether to proceed.

Treatment begins with a free consultation, during which Dr. Aliwi examines your mouth, takes a digital X-ray, and assesses the bone and gum health at the implant site. You will receive a clear, written treatment plan and quote, with every stage and cost explained in advance — and in your own language if you prefer Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, or Romanian.

If the site is ready, the titanium implant is placed under local anaesthetic using the clinic's Piezo surgical unit. You should not feel sharp pain during placement, although pressure and vibration can be noticeable. Tenderness, swelling or bruising afterwards are possible, and the dentist explains suitable pain relief, cleaning and eating instructions. Contact the clinic promptly for bleeding that does not settle, worsening swelling or pain, fever, discharge, persistent numbness or any concern that the implant feels loose.

The implant is then left to integrate with the jawbone, which usually takes a few months and varies with the site, bone quality, any grafting and individual healing. Once it is stable, the restorative stage begins: impressions or scans are taken, the ceramic crown is made to match the surrounding teeth, and it is fitted and the bite checked. Review appointments allow the dentist to assess healing and make sure the finished tooth can be cleaned effectively.

An implant is fixed, does not rely on adjacent teeth for support and can feel closer to a natural tooth than a removable option. The trade-offs are that it requires surgery, healing takes time, adequate bone and healthy gums are needed, and complications or failure can occur. The crown can also need repair or replacement through normal wear even when the implant itself remains sound.

A conventional bridge can replace a tooth without implant surgery and may be completed sooner, but the neighbouring teeth usually need to be prepared to carry it. That may be reasonable when those teeth already need crowns, but is a disadvantage when they are healthy. Bridges also require careful cleaning underneath and do not replace the missing tooth root.

A removable denture can replace several or all missing teeth and may avoid surgery, often making it suitable where implants are not wanted or appropriate. It is removable rather than fixed, may move during eating or speaking, and can take time to adapt to. Implant-supported options can improve stability in selected cases, but involve more treatment and expense. The right choice depends on oral health, priorities, anatomy, timescale and budget rather than one option being best for everyone.

For the first days after placement, follow the personalised instructions on food, brushing, rinsing and activity. Some soreness and swelling are expected and should gradually improve rather than worsen. Avoid disturbing the surgical site, take only the medicines advised for you, and attend the planned reviews. Implant placement has risks, including infection, bleeding, delayed healing, injury to nearby teeth or nerves, sinus complications in the upper jaw and failure of the implant to join securely to the bone; your individual risks are discussed during consent.

An implant cannot decay, but the gum and bone around it can become inflamed and infected. Brush carefully twice a day and clean between the implant and neighbouring teeth with the aid recommended by your dental team. Professional maintenance matters because early inflammation may cause bleeding without much pain. Seek a dental assessment if the gum repeatedly bleeds, swells or produces an unpleasant taste, or if the crown or implant feels loose.

Smoking, poor daily cleaning, untreated gum disease and missed check-ups all increase the chance of problems and implant failure. Heavy bite forces or tooth grinding can also damage the crown or its components. With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, a well-placed implant can last for decades, although no dentist can promise a lifetime result and the ceramic crown may eventually need repair or replacement.

At Elite Medical & Dental Clinic, single implant surgery starts from €750 as part of our current opening promotion, and the ceramic crown that is fitted on top is quoted separately (€750 – €950), so a completed single-tooth implant is normally planned as those two stages together. Full mouth rehabilitation using an All-on-X approach starts from €7,500 per arch and is quoted as a complete treatment. The first consultation is free, and the final written plan depends on the number of teeth being replaced, the condition of the gums and bone, and whether any preparatory care is required. The clinic is open Monday to Saturday on Thundercut Alley in Smithfield, Dublin 7, a few minutes from the Smithfield Luas stop.

In Ireland, tax relief may be available for qualifying non-routine dental treatment through the Med 2 process at the standard rate of income tax. Eligibility depends on the treatment and your tax circumstances; routine dental care does not qualify in the same way. Ask the clinic about the relevant treatment certification and check the current rules and claim process directly with Revenue before relying on relief when planning your budget.