Dental implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. A dental implant is a small titanium or ceramic post that is surgically placed into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone over several months to create a secure, permanent foundation for a replacement tooth, bridge, or denture.
Unlike traditional dentures or bridges, dental implants preserve the underlying jawbone, prevent neighbouring teeth from shifting, and restore full chewing function. At Secrets Dental & Medical Centre in Southport, we have placed hundreds of implants for patients across Merseyside, helping them regain their confidence and enjoy their favourite foods again.
Whether you are missing a single tooth, several teeth, or need a full arch restored, we offer a complete range of implant solutions tailored to your clinical needs and budget.
Every implant journey at Secrets begins with a thorough implant consultation. During this appointment, your dentist will carry out a detailed clinical examination, take digital X-rays or a CBCT scan of your jaw, and discuss your medical history to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for dental implants.
Your implant consultation covers the full scope of treatment planning, including the number of implants required, the type of restoration best suited to your situation, the expected treatment timeline, and an honest discussion about costs. We believe in complete transparency, so you will receive a written treatment plan and fee estimate before any work begins.
If you have been told elsewhere that you are not suitable for implants, we encourage you to book a second-opinion consultation. Advances in bone grafting and socket preservation techniques mean that many patients who were previously considered unsuitable can now benefit from implant treatment.
Dental implant restoration is the process of fitting the final prosthetic tooth onto your integrated implant. Once the implant post has fully fused with the jawbone, typically after 8 to 16 weeks, your dentist takes detailed impressions of the implant site and surrounding teeth. These are sent to our in-house laboratory, where your custom restoration is fabricated.
The dental implant restoration appointment itself is straightforward and usually takes around an hour. Your dentist fits the abutment and crown, checks your bite carefully, and makes any fine adjustments needed for perfect comfort and function. You leave the practice with a fully functional, permanent replacement tooth.
For front teeth, where aesthetics are paramount, we take extra care with shade matching and gum contouring to ensure the dental implant restoration is indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
At Secrets, we offer a full spectrum of teeth replacement solutions to suit every clinical situation. Dental implants form the cornerstone of modern tooth replacement, but the right solution for you depends on factors including the number of missing teeth, the condition of your jawbone, your general health, and your personal preferences.
Your dentist will recommend the teeth replacement solution that delivers the best balance of function, aesthetics, longevity, and value for your individual circumstances.
Smile restoration implants go beyond simply filling a gap. Our approach considers the overall harmony of your smile, including tooth shape, shade, gum contour, and facial proportions. Using our in-house dental laboratory, Southport Dental Services, we craft implant restorations that are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.
For patients who have lived with missing, broken, or failing teeth for years, smile restoration with implants can be life-changing. Many of our patients report renewed confidence in social and professional settings, improved nutrition from being able to eat a wider range of foods, and a significant boost in overall quality of life.
Whether you need a single front tooth replaced or a complete smile makeover, our implant team works closely with our laboratory technicians to design and deliver results that exceed your expectations.
Successful dental implant treatment does not end when the final restoration is fitted. Implant follow-up care is an essential part of the process, ensuring that your implants integrate properly, the surrounding gums remain healthy, and your bite functions correctly.
At Secrets, your implant follow-up care programme includes scheduled review appointments at key milestones after surgery. During these visits, your dentist will assess the healing of the implant site, check the stability of the fixture, and take X-rays to confirm that the implant has fully integrated with the jawbone.
We also provide detailed guidance on caring for your new implants at home, including brushing techniques, interdental cleaning, and dietary advice during the healing period. Our team is always available by phone if you have any concerns between appointments.
Once your implants are fully healed and restored, long-term dental implant maintenance is straightforward but important. Implants cannot develop cavities, but the gum tissue and bone around them are still susceptible to infection if plaque is allowed to accumulate. A condition called peri-implantitis, similar to gum disease, can develop around neglected implants and eventually lead to implant failure.
Our dental implant maintenance programme includes regular hygiene appointments with our dental hygienist, who uses specialised instruments designed specifically for cleaning around implant fixtures without scratching or damaging their surface. We recommend maintenance visits every three to six months depending on your individual risk factors.
With proper dental implant maintenance, your implants can last a lifetime. The crown, bridge, or denture attached to the implant may need replacing after 10 to 20 years due to normal wear, but the implant fixture itself is designed to be a permanent part of your jaw.
Before any implant placement, a thorough periodontal evaluation for implants is carried out to assess the health of your gums and supporting bone structures. Healthy gum tissue and adequate bone volume are prerequisites for successful implant treatment.
During your periodontal evaluation for implants, your dentist will measure gum pocket depths around existing teeth, assess gum recession, check for signs of active periodontal disease, and evaluate bone density using advanced imaging. If gum disease is present, it must be stabilised before implant surgery can proceed.
For patients with a history of periodontal disease, we develop a tailored pre-implant treatment plan that may include deep cleaning, periodontal therapy, and in some cases, guided bone regeneration to rebuild lost bone. This preparatory work significantly improves the long-term success rate of your dental implants.
Our experienced implant team has placed hundreds of implants and undertakes regular advanced training. We use digital X-rays and CBCT scanning for precise treatment planning and implant placement, while our in-house dental laboratory, Southport Dental Services (established 1971), crafts your implant restorations on-site for superior fit and aesthetics.
Secrets is CQC registered, fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission for your peace of mind. We offer a structured follow-up programme and dedicated hygiene maintenance for long-term implant success, transparent pricing, and flexible finance plans to spread the cost over affordable monthly payments. IV sedation and other anxiety management techniques are available for nervous patients.
The implant fixture itself is designed to last a lifetime with proper care. The crown or restoration on top typically lasts 10 to 20 years before it may need replacing due to normal wear. Regular dental implant maintenance appointments are essential for maximising longevity.
Most adults with good general health are suitable for dental implants. During your implant consultation, we assess your bone density, gum health, and medical history. Conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes or heavy smoking may affect suitability, but advances in bone grafting mean more patients qualify than ever before.
Implant placement surgery is carried out under local anaesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the procedure. IV sedation is also available for anxious patients. Most patients report mild discomfort for a few days afterwards, easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers.
The cost depends on the number of implants needed and the type of restoration. We provide a detailed written quote at your consultation with no hidden fees. Finance plans are available to spread the cost over monthly payments, making affordable dental implants a reality for most patients.
From implant consultation to final restoration, treatment typically takes 3 to 6 months. This allows time for the implant to integrate with the jawbone. During the healing period, you will wear a temporary restoration so you are never without teeth.
We assess gum pocket depths, check for active gum disease, evaluate bone density with digital imaging, and determine whether any preparatory treatment is needed before implant placement. This evaluation ensures the best possible outcome for your implants.
Active gum disease must be treated and stabilised before implant placement. Our periodontal evaluation identifies any issues, and we create a treatment plan to get your gums healthy before proceeding. Many patients with a history of gum disease go on to have successful implant treatment.
After implant placement, you will have scheduled review appointments to monitor healing and integration. Once fully restored, regular hygiene visits every 3 to 6 months keep your implants clean and healthy. Our team provides full guidance on home care for your implants.
Secrets Dental & Medical Centre is located at 147 Liverpool Road, Birkdale, Southport, PR8 4NT. We are easily accessible from Southport town centre, Ainsdale, Formby, and across Merseyside.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
