Implants

A beautiful smile not only enhances your overall appearance but can also have an impact on your health, as your ability to chew helps to determine what you eat. Speech is also affected by the condition of your teeth. Functional and attractive teeth contribute to a better quality of life.

Your teeth shape the character of your face, your facial structure. Strong, healthy teeth are vital as tooth roots stimulate continuous regeneration of the bone that surrounds your face.

‘A dental implant is an excellent solution for replacing a missing tooth’

Dental implants can be used for either a single tooth ,multiple teeth or to help keep dentures stable and secure

Dental implants are screw-shaped or cylindrical root-form titanium posts that act as artificial tooth roots. These are carefully placed in the jawbone and allowed to heal. During the healing phase, your bone is growing right up to the implant surface in order to lock it in place.

Shortly thereafter, a crown is made to fit on top of the implant so as to replace a missing tooth or teeth with a "brand-new" tooth. In many cases, you can be functioning on your "new" tooth on the same day as you surgery!

Dental implant treatment is the preferred method of tooth replacement. These implants replace missing tooth roots, and form a stable foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like your natural teeth. Dental implants also preserve the remaining bone by providing the stimulation, previously provided by the natural tooth roots.

Dental implants offer several advantages to the patient. Unlike traditional false teeth, it isn’t necessary to grind down the adjacent teeth for a bridge or secure a partial denture to adjacent teeth with clasps.

In addition to supporting crowns and bridges, implants can also be used to secure poorly fitting dentures. By using dental implants we can eliminate the problems associated with traditional dentures, these include looseness, sore spots, trapped food and embarrassing denture slippage. In addition the biting force is increased in a more natural bite.

A dental implant is a titanium rod which replaces the root of a missing tooth. It is inserted into the jawbone and can be used to support a single tooth, several teeth or stabilise dentures.

Average cost: £800-£1500 per tooth (excludes cost of any crown structure work).

Benefits:

• Aesthetic, bone preservation and facial appearance. When a tooth is lost the stimulus to maintain the jawbone is also lost, which can lead to loosening of the surrounding teeth, changes in bite to loosening of the surrounding teeth, changes in bite function and facial appearance.
• Stable dentures. Many people who have lost teeth have loose dentures. This can affect speech, mastication function and self-confidence. A denture can be stabilised or replaced by a dental implant, resulting in greater comfort, improved function and a boost to self-confidence.
• Preservation. Implants can replace a single tooth avoiding the need to destroy healthy tooth substance if a crown or bridge to be fitted.

 Length of procedure: Approximately one hour, depending on the number of implants.

What is the procedure?

Fitting implants requires x-rays, planning and placement. The procedure is usually carried out under local anaesthetic, although for more nervous patients, sedation can be administered. The practitioner would normally remove a small flap of gum to reveal the bone and the implant is then placed using the latest equipment and technology. Throughout the procedure the patient experiences no discomfort although in some cases the wound may be stitched to encourage the natural healing process.

Recovery time: 0 – 3 three months. It may take between six weeks and six months for the bone to osseointegrate – (grow around the implant). During this time you should experience no pain. After osseointegration the tooth can be restored.

Immediately following the procedure a mild amount of bruising and some discomfort can be expected. Antibiotics may be prescribed and a temporary crown or denture fitted.

No of visits: Normally two to four.

Are implants safe?

Implants are a well established proven treatment, 95 per cent of modern implants should last for years.

Risks: Generally associated with infection, nerve damage and soft tissues failure.

Not all implants are the same. Over the last decade there has been an emergence of different types of dental implants onto the market – most of them competing on price.

It is important you ask your practitioner about the type of implant you are to have placed and the clinical studies they have been subjected to, as reputable implant companies have clinical studies spanning 20-30 years. Also enquire about your practitioner’s clinical success rates and ask to see photographs of case studies.

To see examples of implants please go to our Smile Gallery