Implants
How can an implant help me?
If you are missing one tooth, a few or have none, dental implants may be the right choice for you.Implants can help replace a missing tooth allowing you to smile again or if you currently wear a denture could allow you to have a permanently fixed replacement for it.
Are implants right for me?
If you are looking for a long lasting replacement for a missing tooth or teeth or want to stop wearing having to wear a loose denture an implant is the option to choose. An implant can also avoid having to cut down healthy teeth to support a bridge (the conventional way to replace a missing tooth).
What is an implant?
Dental implants are similar to the roots of teeth and are made from titanium which has the incredible property that bone will fuse with it in a process called osseo-integration. Once this has taken place we can then attach a false tooth
How long does it take?
An implant will take between 3 and 9 months from start to finish. After the planning visit, we arrange for the first stage of to be carried out. This involves placing the implant beneath the gum. We need to make a small flap in the gum and then place the implant in the bone underneath. This procedure is normally carried out under local anaesthetic. It usually does not hurt during the procedure however for a couple of days afterwards the gum can be tender and swollen where we have been working.
We then leave the implant for around 6 months to allow the bone to grow onto the surface of the implant and secure it in place. Once this has occurred, a crown can be made to be attached to the top of the implant.While the implant is integrating into your bone sometimes you may require a temporary tooth (particularly if it’s a front tooth!) to fill the gap. Don’t worry though we can make you a temporary bridge or denture to help solve this problem.
Are implants long lasting?
If you look after your implant by keeping it clean by brushing (and flossing too!) and attending for your regular cleaning visits your implant should last for many years to come. Sometimes we may need to replace or renew the porcelain on the crown on top of the implant as the porcelain can deteriorate over the longer term. This is usually a simple procedure which can be carried out at our lab.
What is required to have an implant?
The first stage in choosing an implant requires you to visit for a full assessment of your smile and mouth. We need to check that there is enough room and most importantly bone to support an implant. To do this we usually take x-rays to look at your bone and will take impressions to examine your bite and how your teeth meet. We also need to discuss with you what your goal is and insure that implants are the correct choice for you.Sometimes we will need to arrange a special x-ray of your mouth to accurately measure the amount of bone available. This is carried out on a CT scanner at our local CT scanning centre. We then analyse this information using special computer software which produces a 3D model of your mouth for us to see.
Once we have confirmed that there is enough bone to support an implant we can formulate a plan to get your smile back!
Iimplant fees vary according to individual case and must be quoted. As a guide: For an implant assessment £75, placement £1900,
restoration £1200
