A dental implant is a small titanium post placed in the jawbone where a tooth is missing. Over the following weeks the bone bonds directly to its surface, a process called osseointegration, and the implant becomes a stable artificial root. A connector called an abutment is then fitted, and a custom crown sits on top. Unlike a bridge, an implant does not require the healthy teeth on either side to be cut down. Unlike a removable denture, it does not move when you eat or speak. Implants also help preserve the bone that usually shrinks after a tooth is lost.
Planning is where much of the work happens. A 3D cone-beam scan shows the height and width of your bone and the position of nerves and sinuses. In the 3D guided implant surgery suite at our JLT clinic, the implant can be placed through a surgical guide made from your scan, so it goes where it was planned. Surgery is done under local anaesthetic and is usually less uncomfortable than people expect. If you feel anxious, conscious sedation is available at JLT. Where bone is thin, Dr. James Whitfield may recommend bone grafting first or at the same visit.
Single implants start from AED 4,500 per implant, and an implant with its crown starts from AED 6,900. Your written plan lists every stage, including any grafting, the abutment and the crown. Dr. Layla Haddad, our specialist prosthodontist, designs the final crown to match your bite and the shade of your neighbouring teeth, and the in-house lab at JLT allows adjustments without long waits. With good home care and regular check-ups, implants last for many years in most cases. Already have a plan from elsewhere? Bring it with recent X-rays for a free second-opinion consultation.
Types of dental implants
Benefits
Feels like your own tooth
The implant is anchored in bone, so the crown stays stable when you bite and chew. Most patients stop thinking of it as a replacement within a few weeks of the crown being fitted.
Neighbouring teeth untouched
A bridge needs the teeth on both sides of the gap to be shaped for crowns. An implant stands on its own, leaving healthy teeth intact and easier to keep clean.
Helps preserve the jawbone
Bone that no longer supports a tooth gradually shrinks. An implant passes chewing forces into the bone, which helps maintain its volume and the shape of your face over time.
Precise, guided placement
At our JLT clinic, 3D scans and surgical guides let the surgeon place the implant in the planned position. This can mean a smaller opening in the gum and a more comfortable recovery.
How treatment works
Consultation and 3D scan
Your dentist examines the gap, your gums and your bite, and takes a 3D scan. You receive a written plan with the timeline, the number of visits and the full cost.
Implant placement
Under local anaesthetic, with conscious sedation available at JLT if you are nervous, the surgeon places the implant using a surgical guide. A single implant usually takes about an hour.
Healing period
The implant bonds with the bone over roughly two to four months, sometimes longer after grafting. In most cases a temporary tooth can be provided, so a gap at the front is not left on show.
Crown and aftercare
Once the implant is stable, the abutment and your custom crown are fitted. You then clean it like a natural tooth and attend regular hygiene visits and check-ups to protect the gum around it.
Is it right for you?
- Adults missing one or more teeth who want a fixed, long-term replacement
- People with a bridge or denture they find uncomfortable or unreliable
- Patients with healthy gums and enough bone, or who are suitable for grafting
- Non-smokers, or smokers prepared to stop around the time of surgery
Your dentists for dental implants
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental implant cost in Dubai?
At Veloradent a single implant starts from AED 4,500, and an implant with its crown starts from AED 6,900. Bone grafting, extractions or a sinus lift add to the cost if you need them, and everything is listed in your written plan. You can spread payments with 0% instalments over 3, 6 or 12 months on selected bank credit cards, or use Tabby or Tamara. Direct insurance billing is available at our Trade Centre clinic.
Does implant surgery hurt?
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you should feel pressure but not pain. Afterwards, most people have mild soreness and some swelling for two to four days, which is usually managed with standard painkillers and cold compresses. If you are anxious about dental treatment, conscious sedation is available at our JLT clinic.
Am I suitable for dental implants?
Most healthy adults whose jaw has finished growing can have implants. What matters most is the amount and quality of bone, the health of your gums and general health conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes. Smoking increases the risk of implant failure. Your surgeon will confirm suitability after examining you and reviewing a 3D scan.
What if I do not have enough bone?
Bone loss is common once a tooth has been missing for some time. In many cases the bone can be rebuilt with a graft, either before the implant or during the same surgery. In the upper back jaw a sinus lift may be needed. Dr. James Whitfield will explain the options and how they affect your timeline.
How long do dental implants last?
With good daily cleaning, regular hygiene visits and no smoking, implants can last for many years, and in most cases for decades. The crown on top may need replacing after 10 to 15 years because of normal wear. Inflammation of the gum around an implant is the main long-term risk, which is why regular check-ups matter.
