What are Dental Implants?
Implants are an effective and durable solution to replace one or more missing teeth.
They are a small titanium screw that replaces the roots of your tooth. We then
place a crown on top, to replace the tooth itself. An abutment joins the titanium implant to the crown on top.
A perfect candidate for implants must have good oral health and a strong jaw bone, as the implant will need support from the surrounding teeth and jaw.
How do we assess your mouth for dental implants?
We will assess your suitability for dental implants by checking your general and oral health, and the density of your jaw bone using a 2-d or 3-d x-ray (CBCT). In some cases, where there is insufficient bone volume, a procedure known as bone-grafting may be necessary.
Once the titanium posts are fully healed, we can fit your permanent replacement teeth.
After your initial consultation, we will create a tailor-made treatment plan, complete with full cost breakdown, for you to take away.
How long does a dental implant take?
A dental implant can be completed in four visits.
- Your consultation
- Fitting of the titanium implant post
(may require an additional review appointment)
(may require additional exposure of the implant and further healing appointment) - Impressions of the implant
- Fitting of the new tooth
We will then review your dental implant periodically to make sure it is well settled in your jaw.
How long does a dental implant last?
94 out of 100 dental implants survive 10-15 years.
What are the advantages of a dental implant?
Dental implants are fixed, and so do not require removal at night. They do not require damaging the adjacent teeth, and so are biologically the best option for your mouth. They are easy to eat with and aesthetically can mimic your natural tooth well.
Your mouth does need to be healthy to accept them, and maintenance and long term care is the most critical factor to long term success.
They do require a small surgical procedure to place the implant, which typically takes around one hour, under local anaesthetic for one implant placement.
Aftercare
You need to take care of your implants in the same way you would care for your natural teeth, with a good oral hygiene regime of brushing and inter-dental cleaning to stay clean and healthy. You should also see us for regular check-ups so we can make sure your implants stay in great condition.
What are the alternatives to dental implants?
The alternatives are either a dental bridge, a denture, or leaving the gap. The gap may not be visible to you, and therefore this could be the right option for you. However, if it is not, then we can discuss the alternatives with you. A dental bridge uses the adjacent teeth to hold a missing tooth in place. It is fixed in place, but does require some work to the adjacent teeth to keep it secure. Whereas a denture is a removal device. it can feel a little bulky in your mouth to begin, but it is the most cost effective way to replace multiple missing teeth.
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