What happens before a dental implant is placed?

A look at the assessment, digital planning and teamwork behind implant treatment at Padstow Dental.

Dr Bill Kalis — Tuesday 20 October 2026

What happens before a dental implant is placed?

Long before an implant is placed, we need to answer a more useful question: how should the replacement tooth work in your mouth?

A missing tooth leaves a visible space, but that space does not tell the whole story. The surrounding teeth, bite, gums and underlying bone all need consideration. So do your health, priorities and ability to maintain the result.

Here is a look at the planning process at Padstow Dental and why those details matter.

First we work out whether an implant is appropriate

The first conversation is about your needs and the available options. An implant may be one option alongside a bridge, a removable denture or, in some circumstances, monitoring the space. We discuss suitability, likely stages, costs and limitations before you decide.

Dr Bill Kalis brings more than 30 years of dental experience to these discussions. Technology helps inform the plan; clinical assessment and your preferences guide the recommendation.

Looking beneath the gum

Our on-site CBCT can provide three-dimensional X-ray information about the bone and nearby anatomical structures when that imaging is clinically indicated. It helps us investigate questions that a surface photograph or scan cannot answer.

A Medit intraoral scan records the visible surfaces of teeth and gums. It provides a different kind of information. The two technologies can complement each other when planning a replacement tooth.

Planning around the final tooth

Using Blue Sky Plan, we can assess a proposed implant position digitally and consider it in relation to the intended restoration. The software also supports surgical guide design where a guided approach is selected.

A guide is a planning aid. It does not remove the need for surgical judgement or make treatment risk-free. Implant treatment involves surgery, healing and ongoing maintenance, and outcomes vary between patients.

The team behind the appointment

Implant care draws on several roles. The dentist assesses and plans treatment, dental assistants support the clinical appointments, and the front office helps coordinate visits. Oral health therapists contribute to prevention and maintenance within their scope. Laboratory involvement supports the design and manufacture of the restoration.

These contributions matter because treatment continues beyond the day an implant is placed. Healing reviews, the final tooth and the ability to clean around it are all part of the discussion.

What this means for you

You should come away understanding why an implant has been proposed, what alternatives exist and what the treatment involves. Ask us to show you the images and explain what they mean for your plan.

Considering a dental implant in Padstow? Call 02 9773 4775 or enquire through our contact page to arrange an assessment. We will help you explore whether it is suitable for you.