Dental implants in Johannesburg: what the treatment involves
A plain explanation of what a dental implant is, the stages of treatment, and the questions to take to a dentist in Johannesburg. Information only, not clinical advice.
What a dental implant is
A dental implant is a small post, usually made of titanium or a ceramic such as zirconia, that a dentist places in the jawbone where a tooth is missing. Over the following weeks or months the bone normally grows against the surface of the post. Once the dentist is satisfied that it is stable, it is used to hold a replacement tooth or teeth.
Most implant treatment has three parts. The implant itself sits in the bone. A connector, called an abutment, joins the implant to what you see in the mouth. On top sits the visible part, which can be a single crown, a bridge across several teeth, or a denture that clips on. People also search for this as tooth implants or teeth implants; the treatment is the same.
The stages of treatment
Implant treatment is a process, not a single appointment. The order and timing differ from person to person, and the dentist who examines you sets the plan. In general terms, the stages are:
- Assessment and planning. A medical history, an examination, X-rays and often a 3D scan of the jaw (a cone-beam CT, or CBCT). See what an implant assessment involves.
- Preparation, if needed. This can include removing a tooth, treating gum disease, or adding bone where there is not enough. See bone grafting and sinus lift.
- Placing the implant. A surgical procedure, usually under local anaesthetic. Some practices offer sedation.
- Healing. A period, commonly measured in months, while the bone and implant join. A temporary tooth may be fitted in the meantime.
- Fitting the final tooth or teeth. Impressions or a digital scan are taken and the crown, bridge or denture is made and fitted.
- Reviews and maintenance. Check-ups and professional cleaning, as with natural teeth.
Our guide on how long dental implant treatment takes explains each stage and what can lengthen or shorten it.
Who decides whether an implant is suitable
Only a dentist who has examined you can say whether an implant is a suitable option for you. They look at the amount and quality of bone, the health of the gums and the other teeth, your bite, and your general health. They will usually ask about medication, smoking and conditions such as diabetes, because these can affect healing. This website cannot make that judgement and does not try to.
Implant treatment in South Africa is carried out by dentists registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Some cases involve registered dental specialists, for example in periodontics, prosthodontics or maxillo-facial and oral surgery. You can check any practitioner's registration on the HPCSA's public online register. It is reasonable to ask who will place the implant and who will make and fit the tooth, because in some practices these are different people.
Other options a dentist may discuss
An implant is one way of replacing a missing tooth. Depending on your situation, a dentist may also discuss a conventional bridge, a removable partial denture, a full denture, or leaving a gap. Each has different steps, upkeep and costs. Our guide to implants, bridges and dentures compares the treatments, not the practices, so you can ask better questions at the appointment.
Implant treatment across Johannesburg
Practices that offer implant treatment are spread across the metro, with the largest clusters around Sandton and the Rosebank and Melrose corridor, according to Google Maps practice listings we reviewed on 12 October 2026. Because treatment takes several visits over months, travel time to the practice is worth thinking about. Our area pages describe each part of Johannesburg in more detail.
What influences the cost
We do not publish prices. The practice that assesses you gives you a treatment plan and a quote for your case. These are the factors that usually make the difference:
- How many teeth are being replaced, and how many implants that needs.
- Whether teeth must be removed first, and whether gum treatment is needed.
- Whether bone grafting or a sinus lift is part of the plan.
- The imaging used for planning, such as a CBCT scan.
- The type of final tooth: a single crown, a bridge or a denture, and the material it is made from.
- Laboratory work, the abutment and the implant components used.
- Whether sedation or a hospital theatre is used.
- Temporary teeth during healing, and the number of visits.
- What your medical aid will and will not fund, which varies by scheme and plan.
Our guide to what influences a dental implant quote explains how to read an itemised plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is this website a dental practice?
No. It is an information website. It does not examine, diagnose, treat, recommend or book. Every clinical decision belongs to the dentist who examines you.
Can you tell me if I am suitable for an implant?
No. Suitability depends on an examination, X-rays or a scan, and your medical history. Only a dentist who has assessed you can answer that.
Why is there no price on this page?
Because a price depends on your mouth, your plan and the practice. We describe the factors that move the cost so that you can understand an itemised treatment plan. We do not set or publish prices.
How many visits does treatment take?
Usually several, over a period of months, because the bone needs time to heal around the implant. The dentist who plans your treatment can give you a schedule for your case.
Dental implants: local pages
Johannesburg areas
Other treatments explained
Sources
- Google Maps practice listings for dental implant treatment, reviewed 12 October 2026.