Dental Implants · Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Dental Implants in Castlebar
Missing a tooth, facing an extraction, or wondering how best to replace a gap? A dental implant may be one option. The first step is understanding the condition of your teeth, gums and bone — and comparing the reasonable ways of replacing the tooth.
Breaffy, Castlebar · welcoming patients from across County Mayo
Start with the problem, not the implant.
You may already know that a dental implant is one possible way to replace a missing tooth without knowing whether it is the right option for you. It is reasonable to want to understand the alternatives, stages and likely cost before deciding.
The first questions are not about implants. They are about why the tooth is missing or being lost, whether it can reasonably be saved, the health of the surrounding teeth and gums, the condition of the bone, and what matters most to you. An implant may be appropriate — but another option may sometimes make more sense.
What are my options for replacing a missing tooth?
Before discussing implants in detail, it helps to understand the range of options that may be available. The right choice depends on the neighbouring teeth, gum health, available bone, bite, patient expectations and long-term maintenance.
Leaving the space
In selected circumstances — particularly for back teeth with no functional impact — leaving a space may be a reasonable short-term or long-term decision. This is discussed as part of the assessment.
Removable partial denture
A removable appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth. Generally the least invasive option. May not suit everyone, but can be a practical and cost-effective solution in the right circumstances.
Dental bridge
A fixed restoration that spans a gap by anchoring to neighbouring teeth. A conventional bridge involves preparing the adjacent teeth; an adhesive bridge may be possible in selected cases with minimal tooth preparation.
Dental implant
A titanium fixture placed into the jawbone that can support a crown to replace a missing tooth. Does not involve preparing neighbouring teeth. Requires adequate bone and good general dental health.
No single option is automatically better than another. The most appropriate choice depends on your individual clinical situation and will be discussed at assessment.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium fixture placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Over a period of weeks to months, the implant integrates with the surrounding bone. Once integration is confirmed, a crown is attached to restore the appearance and function of the missing tooth.
For a single missing tooth, treatment commonly involves three stages: implant placement, a healing period, and fitting the implant crown. The exact stages and timing depend on the individual case.
When might an implant be considered?
Individual assessment is always required. Implants may be considered in situations such as:
Replacing a single missing tooth
An implant-supported crown can replace a single tooth without involving the neighbouring teeth.
Replacing a tooth that cannot reasonably be restored
If a tooth is too damaged or decayed to save, an implant may be one option for replacing it after extraction.
Replacing several missing teeth
Implants can support bridges or other restorations where several teeth are missing.
Improving denture stability
In selected cases, implants can be used to support or stabilise a denture, improving comfort and function.
Avoiding preparation of neighbouring teeth
Where a conventional bridge would require preparing healthy adjacent teeth, an implant may allow the gap to be restored without involving those teeth.
Your implant assessment
An implant assessment is a chance to understand your situation properly before any decision is made. It is not a commitment to treatment.
What you want to achieve
We begin by understanding what matters to you — function, appearance, long-term stability, or a combination.
Medical and dental history
Certain medical conditions and medications can affect implant suitability. We will ask about your general health and any relevant history.
Teeth, gums and bite
We assess the health of your remaining teeth and gums, the condition of the neighbouring teeth, and how your bite functions.
Available bone
Adequate bone is required to support an implant. We assess the available bone and discuss whether additional imaging or records are needed.
Treatment alternatives
We explain the reasonable options for replacing the tooth, including alternatives to an implant, so you can make an informed decision.
Likely stages and costs
We outline the expected treatment stages and provide a written estimate so you understand the likely overall cost before deciding whether to proceed.
What happens after the assessment?
After the assessment, we will explain what we found and what it means for your options.
We discuss what we found
We explain the clinical picture — the condition of the area, the available bone, and any factors that may affect suitability.
We explain the reasonable options
We discuss the alternatives available to you, including implants and other replacement options, with the advantages and limitations of each.
Further records if needed
If additional imaging or records are required to plan treatment properly, we will explain why and what is involved before proceeding.
Written estimate
We provide a written estimate covering the expected treatment stages and costs so you have a clear picture before deciding.
You have time to decide
An assessment does not commit you to treatment. You are welcome to take time to consider your options before deciding how you would like to proceed.
Your implant treatment journey
The stages of implant treatment vary depending on the individual case. A typical single-tooth implant treatment involves the following stages.
Assessment
Clinical examination, discussion of options, X-rays or imaging where appropriate, and a written treatment plan and estimate.
Records and treatment planning
Photographs, scans and any additional records needed to plan the implant placement carefully.
Implant placement
The implant fixture is placed into the jawbone under local anaesthetic. A surgical guide may be used where appropriate to help with accurate placement.
Healing
The implant integrates with the surrounding bone over a period of weeks to months. The exact healing time depends on the individual case.
Implant crown
Once integration is confirmed, the implant crown is made and fitted to restore the appearance and function of the missing tooth.
Ongoing maintenance
Regular dental examinations, hygiene care and review of the implant and restoration are recommended to support long-term oral health.
The exact stages and timing depend on your individual case. A more meaningful estimate of the overall timeline can be discussed once the assessment has been completed.
Do I have enough bone?
Adequate bone is required to support a dental implant. Some patients have sufficient bone without any additional procedures. Others may have experienced bone loss following an extraction or as a result of gum disease, and may require bone grafting before or at the time of implant placement.
Bone grafting is not required for every patient. Whether it is needed, what it involves and the associated cost will be discussed during treatment planning before any decision is made.
How long does implant treatment take?
The overall treatment time varies considerably between patients. It depends on whether the tooth is already missing or requires extraction, the available bone, whether grafting is needed, the healing response, the location of the implant, and the time required to make and fit the final restoration.
A more meaningful estimate of the likely overall timeline can be discussed once your individual case has been assessed.
What does dental implant treatment cost?
Implant treatment involves several components, each priced separately. It is important to understand the full likely cost before deciding to proceed.
Implant placement
€1,300
Implant crown
€1,350+
Core single-tooth treatment
from approx. €2,650
A straightforward single-tooth replacement involving one implant placement and one implant crown currently begins at approximately €2,650 before any additional procedures that may be required.
Possible additional costs where clinically required
- Surgical guide(where required)
- €400
- Bone grafting(depending on what is required)
- Individually assessed
Implant suitability consultation: complimentary, approximately 10 minutes
Before treatment begins, we will explain the proposed stages and provide a written estimate so you can understand the likely overall cost.
Complimentary implant suitability consultation
Breaffy Dental currently offers a short complimentary implant suitability consultation of approximately 10 minutes. This is an initial discussion to help determine whether implant treatment is worth investigating further. It does not include comprehensive diagnostic records, detailed imaging, or a full written implant treatment plan — these are arranged separately where needed.
A short suitability consultation can help determine whether implant treatment is worth investigating further. If more detailed records or imaging are needed, we will explain this before proceeding.
Are implants suitable for everyone?
Implants are not suitable for every patient. Suitability depends on a number of factors that are assessed individually.
- Gum health and oral hygiene
- Available bone
- Smoking, which can affect healing and long-term outcomes
- Medical history and current medications
- Bite and occlusion
- Ability to maintain the area long-term
- Patient expectations
Individual assessment matters. If you have concerns about any of these factors, the assessment is the right place to discuss them.
Looking after a dental implant
Dental implants are not maintenance-free. Long-term care is important for the health of the implant and the surrounding gum and bone.
- Effective daily cleaning around the implant and crown
- Monitoring gum health and managing any signs of inflammation
- Regular dental examinations
- Professional hygiene care where appropriate
- Review of the implant and restoration
- Managing relevant risk factors such as smoking or uncontrolled medical conditions
We will discuss the maintenance requirements as part of your treatment planning, so you understand what is involved before you decide to proceed.
For gum health and hygiene support, see our hygiene and gum care page.
Who provides the treatment?
Implant treatment at Breaffy Dental is provided by Dr David O'Malley, a general dentist. He takes a careful, assessment-led approach to treatment planning, with a focus on understanding the individual patient's situation before recommending any course of treatment. Where specialist care is more appropriate, referral is discussed.
A considered approach to replacing missing teeth
Understanding the problem first
We begin with the patient's situation — why the tooth is missing, what the surrounding teeth and gums look like, and what matters most to the patient.
Assessing the whole mouth
Implant treatment does not happen in isolation. The health of the remaining teeth and gums, the bite and the available bone all affect the planning and outcome.
Comparing reasonable alternatives
We explain the options available — including alternatives to implants — so you can make an informed decision rather than a pressured one.
Explaining treatment stages clearly
We outline what is involved at each stage before treatment begins, so there are no surprises.
Transparent component pricing
We explain that implant treatment involves separate components — placement, crown, and any additional procedures — and provide a written estimate before treatment begins.
Long-term maintenance
We discuss the ongoing care required to support the long-term health of the implant and the surrounding tissues.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about dental implant treatment at Breaffy Dental in Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Missing a tooth or considering your replacement options?
An assessment does not commit you to implant treatment.
An implant may be one option, but the right place to start is with an assessment. We can look at the area, discuss what matters to you and explain the reasonable options, likely stages and costs.