Dental Implants Treatment
Dental Implants Treatment are an excellent alternative to having dentures or bridges to replace missing teeth and we are highly experienced in providing and fitting them for our patients.
They look like actual teeth, they perform like them and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t last like them too. They are suitable for anyone with good oral health and can even be used as an anchor for dentures if necessary. They also offer some advantages over dentures.
A word of caution to begin, though. Not everyone is able to have implants but this is something that a dentist can decide.
A dental implant consists of two different parts. The first is a titanium tooth “root” that is screwed into the jawbone to provide a firm anchor for the second part, a ceramic crown, that replaces the missing tooth.
The stages of dental implant treatment
It all begins with an initial consultation in which the dentist examines the mouth and gums and creates a bespoke treatment plan which will also include an estimate of the cost as well as a timeline for the treatment.
It may be that there is a need for bone augmentation before treatment can begin if it’s judged that the jaw may not be strong enough to hold the implant/s. This involved the grafting on of materials to make it stronger and provide a better anchor.
Once Dental Implants Treatment proper begins, a stent is made which will act as a guide for the dentist to ensure that the placement of the implant, or implants, will be perfect.
The next step is to insert the tooth root into the jawbone. This is a procedure that is usually just done under local anaesthetic and is no more uncomfortable than any other dental procedure. Once the root is in place it is generally fitted with a temporary tooth for the 6-12 weeks that it takes to integrate and bond fully with the bone.
Once it has, the tooth is simply screwed on to the root and fixed in place where it should remain for many years to come.
Caring for implants
Implants should be cleaned like natural teeth and our hygienists will be able to answer any questions that patients might have about doing this.
The result of having an implant will be to provide a tooth that is all-but impossible to tell from the one that it has replaced but will feel and bite like one too.
Implants FAQ
Why can’t everyone have implants?
The majority of people can, but in instances where there is poor oral health or a low bone density then this may need to be improved before implants can be fitted.
What affects the speed of treatment?
It’s vital that the titanium root is firmly secured in the jawbone before the actual tooth is attached. Depending on the person and the quality of their bone, this can take varying amounts of time. Only when the dentist is 100% sure that it is properly embedded will they add the crown – a stage of the treatment that takes very little time at all.
Can implants be used alongside dentures?
Yes, but only if they are partial dentures. Some people even choose to replace a full set of dentures with implants – although this is undeniably a very expensive solution.
Miles more smiles.
