What implants can replace
A single tooth implant replaces one missing tooth with its own crown. Implants can also hold a bridge or a full denture when several teeth are missing. At Dental Plus, our dental implant clinic in Bahria Town, we place single-tooth implants. If you're missing several teeth, we'll go through your options at the consultation, including bridges and dentures.
Unlike a bridge, an implant doesn't need the teeth on either side of the gap to be filed down. It also helps keep the jawbone from shrinking.
Types of dental implants, materials and benefits
Cleveland Clinic describes three main forms of implant treatment. A single-tooth implant holds one crown. An implant bridge uses two or more implants to support a bridge across three or more missing teeth. A full-arch treatment uses about four to six implants to hold a whole arch of teeth.
Most implants are made of titanium, and some are ceramic. Cleveland Clinic calls both safe and biocompatible, which means the body accepts them. Once healed, an implant works much like a natural tooth. The benefits people notice most are:
- Chewing comfortably again, without a gap or a loose plate
- A natural-looking smile
- Clearer speech
- A healthier jawbone, because the implant stands in for the lost root
- Neighbouring teeth left untouched
- Long life: with good cleaning and check-ups, the implant itself can last a lifetime
How our dentists manage it
How we manage your dental implants
Check you are suitable
We examine your mouth and take X-rays to check the bone and gums, and ask about health conditions and smoking that affect healing.
Plan the timeline and cost
You know how long it will take, usually several months from placement to final crown, and the cost, before we start.
Place the implant carefully
Dr Ahmad Mahmood, who has C-Implantology training, places the implant under anaesthetic.
Review healing, then fit the crown
We check on healing and fit the crown once the bone has fused with the implant, then keep an eye on it at your check-ups.
Your implant dentist: Dr Ahmad Mahmood
Implants at Dental Plus are placed by Dr Ahmad Mahmood, our lead consultant and implant dentist in Rawalpindi. Dr Ahmad holds a BDS, an MDS in Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, and C-Implantology training in dental implant surgery. An MDS is a postgraduate specialist degree taken after the BDS.
Restorative dentistry repairs and replaces teeth, and endodontics saves them with root canal treatment. That mix matters, because before any implant the first question is whether we can save your natural tooth. If we can, we'll tell you and explain both options, a root canal or an extraction and implant, so you can choose.
Dr Ahmad works at a clinic founded in 1984 by Prof. Dr Amjad Mahmood, a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. The crown that sits on your implant is fitted at the same clinic.
Are you suitable for an implant?
To be a good dental implant candidate, you need healthy gums and enough healthy jawbone to hold the implant. There's no upper age limit, but the jaw has to have finished growing, so the minimum age is 18. These can rule out or delay an implant:
- Active or untreated gum disease
- Extensive tooth decay or poor oral hygiene
- Severe bone loss in the jaw
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Some bone disorders and autoimmune conditions
- Smoking or vaping
This is why we examine you and take X-rays before recommending an implant.
Not enough jawbone? Bone grafting
An implant needs enough healthy bone around it. After a tooth extraction, the jawbone in that spot can shrink, and in the upper jaw the sinuses can also limit the space.
If there is not enough bone, it may be possible to build it up first with a bone graft. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust notes that grafting makes treatment more complex and adds to the time it takes. Your X-rays show whether you need one before you commit to anything.
The treatment, step by step
- 01The area is numbed with anaesthetic.
- 02A small cut is made in the gum to reach the bone.
- 03The bone is prepared and the implant is placed into it.
- 04The gum is closed with stitches. The first stage of healing takes about a week.
- 05Over the next 3 to 9 months the bone fuses with the implant. This is called osseointegration.
- 06A connector called an abutment is attached and the crown is fitted. This visit usually takes about an hour.
How long does the dental implant process take?
From the first consultation to the final crown, most single-tooth implants take several months, and most of that is the bone quietly healing. Here is the timeline at a glance:
| Stage | What happens | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation | Examination and X-rays of your gums and jawbone, then the plan and the price | One visit |
| Bone graft, only if needed | Building up the bone so it can hold the implant | Adds to the overall time |
| Implant placement | The implant is placed in the jawbone under local anaesthetic | One visit |
| First healing | The gum heals and stitches settle | About a week |
| Bone fusion | The bone grows onto the implant (osseointegration) | 3 to 9 months |
| Crown fitting | The abutment and your new crown are fitted | About an hour |
For an implant near the front of your mouth, a temporary tooth can be fitted so you don't have a visible gap while it heals.
Recovery and care
Is implant surgery painful? You shouldn't feel pain during the procedure, because the area is numbed. Some discomfort and swelling afterwards is a normal part of dental implant recovery, and over-the-counter painkillers help.
Look after an implant like a natural tooth: brush, clean between your teeth and keep up regular check-ups. Contact us if the implant feels loose, the gum bleeds, swells or has pus, or you have a fever.
How long do implants last, and how often do they fail?
With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, the implant itself can last a lifetime, and the crown on top usually lasts around 15 years. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says about 90% of implants placed 10 years ago are still present and working.
A 2019 review in the Journal of Dentistry, pooling 18 studies, put 10-year survival at 96.4%. A more cautious analysis in the same review, allowing for patients lost to follow-up, gave 93.2%. Survival was lower in people aged 65 and over. The problems to know about are:
- Early failure: in rare cases the implant never fuses with the bone
- Infection: the risk is low if you keep the rest of your mouth clean
- Peri-implantitis: over the years, gum inflammation and bone loss can develop around the implant
Smoking, unmanaged diabetes and untreated gum disease all raise the risk, which is why we check for them first. As Cleveland Clinic puts it, "When an experienced surgeon places implants, the risk of complications is minimal."
Implant, bridge or denture?
All three replace missing teeth. They differ in how they are held in place, what they do to the teeth around them and how long they last. Read more about bridges and dentures.
| Implant | Bridge | Denture | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed or removable | Fixed | Fixed | Removable |
| Surgery | Yes, under local anaesthetic | No | No |
| Neighbouring teeth | Left untouched | Reshaped to hold the bridge | Rests on the gums |
| Jawbone | Helps keep it from shrinking | Does not replace the root | The jaw shrinks over time, so dentures loosen |
| Time to finish | Months: the bone needs 3 to 9 to heal | Two visits, a few weeks apart | Several weeks for standard dentures |
| How long it lasts | Implant: can be lifelong. Crown: about 15 years | 5 to 15 years | 7 to 10 years |
We'll go through which suits you, including the cost of each, at your consultation.
What a dental implant costs
Marham, a Pakistani doctor-listing site, puts a single implant with a crown at PKR 90,000 to 250,000 in 2026, and more for a premium brand. Published prices rarely say what they include, so check before you compare clinics. Our full guide to dental implant cost in Rawalpindi and Islamabad breaks the price down. These can all change the total:
- The implant itself, the abutment and the crown
- X-rays or scans before treatment
- A bone graft, if the bone needs building up
- Taking the tooth out first, if it is still there
These are market figures, not Dental Plus fees. After your examination and X-rays, we tell you the full cost of your treatment before anything starts.
Questions to ask before you choose an implant dentist
An implant is surgery and a long-term commitment, so it is worth asking any clinic, including us, these before you agree to treatment:
- Who will place the implant, and what implant training do they have?
- Will you check my gums and jawbone with X-rays before giving me a price?
- Does the price include the implant, the abutment and the crown?
- Will any gum disease be treated before the implant goes in?
- What happens if the implant does not fuse with the bone?
- How will you check the implant after it is fitted?
You can ask us every one of these at your consultation.
Who treats you
Dental Implants at Dental Plus
An implant can last a lifetime, so we take our time over the assessment. Healthy gums and enough bone matter more than speed.
Implants at Dental Plus are placed by Dr Ahmad Mahmood, whose qualifications include C-Implantology. We place single-tooth implants and fit the crowns on them.
Looking for dental implants in Rawalpindi or Islamabad? At our dental implant clinic in Bahria Town, Dr Ahmad Mahmood, a consultant endodontist with training in implantology (C-Implantology), plans each implant around your oral health and bone support. A titanium implant replaces the missing tooth root, and a crown on top restores your bite and smile, without filing down the teeth on either side as a bridge needs. Patients from across Rawalpindi and Islamabad come to Dental Plus, a dental clinic trusted since 1984, for tooth replacement they can rely on. Book an implant consultation.
Lead ConsultantDr Ahmad MahmoodBDS, MDS Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, C-ImplantologyRoot canals, including re-treating ones that have failed, restorative work and dental implants.
The dentists are very professional and highly qualified and they are using the modern tools and dental treatment techniques.”Read more Dental Plus patient reviews
Common questions about dental implants
Does getting an implant hurt?
The area is numbed, so you shouldn't feel pain during the procedure. Discomfort and swelling afterwards are normal and painkillers help.
How much does a dental implant cost?
Marham's 2026 figures put a single implant with a crown at PKR 90,000 to 250,000, depending on the brand, the crown and any bone graft. Ask whether a quote includes the abutment, the crown, X-rays and any graft. We tell you our full fee after examining you, before any work starts. See our dental implant cost guide.
What is the success rate of dental implants?
High. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says about 90% of implants placed 10 years ago are still working. A 2019 review in the Journal of Dentistry put 10-year survival at 93 to 96%. Smoking, unmanaged diabetes and gum disease lower the odds.
Can I have an implant if I smoke or have diabetes?
Smoking and vaping can disrupt healing, and unmanaged diabetes can rule an implant out. Tell us about your health and habits at the consultation, and we will tell you honestly whether an implant suits you.
Can my tooth be saved instead?
Sometimes. If the problem is an infected nerve, root canal treatment may keep the tooth. Dr Ahmad Mahmood leads both root canal and implant work at Dental Plus, so you hear about both options.
Am I too old for an implant?
There is no upper age limit. What matters is healthy gums, enough jawbone and general health that allows healing.
How long does the whole dental implant process take?
Usually several months. Placing the implant takes one visit, the gum settles in about a week, and the bone needs 3 to 9 months to fuse with the implant before the crown is fitted. A bone graft, if you need one, adds to the time.
Do dental implants look and feel natural?
Yes. Once healed, an implant works much like a natural tooth, and the crown is made to match the shade and shape of the teeth around it. Cleveland Clinic calls implants the closest thing to natural teeth.
Will I have a gap while my implant heals?
Not if the implant is near the front of your mouth: a temporary tooth can be fitted while the bone heals. For back teeth, we'll talk through what to expect at your consultation.
What are dental implants made of?
Most are titanium, and some are ceramic. Both are safe and biocompatible, which means the body accepts them. The crown on top is made to match your natural teeth.
What are the warning signs after an implant?
A loose implant, bleeding or swollen gums, pus, a fever or swollen glands in the neck. Contact us straight away if you notice any of these.
Guides on this topic
- Missing Tooth? Implant, Bridge or Denture ComparedThe three ways to replace a missing tooth: a dental implant, a bridge or a denture. How each works, how long it lasts, and who each one suits.
Related treatments
- Crowns & BridgesCaps that protect damaged teeth, and bridges that fill gaps.
- DenturesComplete and partial dentures, made to fit and adjusted until comfortable.
- Tooth ExtractionWhen a tooth can't be saved: what happens, recovery and replacing it.
- Gum Disease TreatmentFor gums that bleed, swell or pull back from the teeth.
How this guide was made
Dental Plus, a family dental clinic in Bahria Town, Rawalpindi, publishes this guide. It was drafted with the help of AI writing tools. Every medical statement was then checked against the sources below, last on 14 October 2026. What we say about our own clinic, our dentists and how we treat patients comes from the clinic. Patient quotes are copied word for word from Google reviews.
- Cleveland Clinic: Dental implants
- Cleveland Clinic: Dental bridges
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust: Dental implants
- Journal of Dentistry (2019): Long-term (10-year) dental implant survival, a systematic review and sensitivity meta-analysis
- Marham: Dental implants in Islamabad (cost range)
- Cleveland Clinic: Dentures
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. For advice about your own teeth, book an examination.