Is implant surgery painful?

No: it is performed under local anaesthesia and, for anxious patients, with conscious sedation. Post-operative discomfort is usually manageable with common painkillers for a few days.

How long does a dental implant last?

With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, a well-integrated implant can last decades. The most important variable is maintenance: home hygiene and professional recalls.

Can I have an implant if I lack bone?

Often yes: 3D CBCT imaging measures bone volumes precisely and, where needed, regeneration techniques exist. Every case must be assessed individually.

Dental implants: how they work and how long they last

A dental implant is a small titanium screw that replaces the root of a missing tooth: a crown is built on top, restoring function and aesthetics. It is today's reference solution for replacing one or more teeth without involving healthy neighbouring teeth.

How osseointegration works

Titanium has a precious property: bone bonds intimately to it (osseointegration). Over a few weeks the implant becomes one with the bone, creating a stable base for the prosthetic crown.

The stages of treatment

Case study: examination, digital X-rays and 3D CBCT imaging to map bone volumes and anatomical structures to the millimetre. This is the stage that makes the difference for safety.
Surgery: under local anaesthesia (with conscious sedation if you wish), placing a single implant usually takes less than an hour.
Healing: a few weeks of osseointegration, with a temporary restoration where appropriate.
Final prosthesis: an intraoral scanner impression (no pastes) guides the custom crown.

How long they really last

The literature reports high implant survival rates at 10+ years. But the decisive factor is you: thorough home hygiene and professional hygiene recalls protect the implant from peri-implantitis, the main cause of late failure. Smoking and uncontrolled diabetes are risk factors to discuss.

When implants are indicated (and when not)

Implants replace missing or unrestorable teeth. They are not a shortcut: when a natural tooth can be saved with restorative or endodontic care, saving it remains the first choice. Our assessment is always multidisciplinary.

With over 30 years of experience and a Master's in Implant Surgery, Dr. Massimo Ferrara personally follows every case, from 3D diagnosis to the final prosthesis. Want an assessment? The first visit is the starting point.

Sources

WHO, Global Oral Health Status Report, 2022 — tooth loss and edentulism as a global health issue.
WHO, Oral health fact sheet — prevention of periodontal disease, the main cause of adult tooth loss.
WHO, Global Strategy and Action Plan on Oral Health 2023–2030 — access to rehabilitative care as part of oral health.