Dental implants
Missing teeth, loose crowns and unstable dentures, all can lead to a lack of confidence in eating and smiling but Implants can help to solve all these problems.
A dental implant is an essentially an artificial tooth root which can support a crown, a bridge or a denture. The implant is made of titanium which will integrate with bone so that the implant then acts like a tooth root. Implants remove the need to wear part dentures and crowns and bridges made on top of implants will feel and resemble natural teeth.
The implant is screw shaped and I placed either into a socket of a recently removed tooth or into a hole made to take an implant. After a period of approximately 6 weeks bone will have grown onto the surface of the implant and impressions may then be taken to make a permanent crown or bridge or a new denture.
How long does dental implant treatment take?
There is no set time and the length of treatment will depend on a patient’s individual circumstances. Treatment can take as little as six weeks, but more complex treatment will take longer.
Are implants safe and how long will they last?
Implants have been around for more than 30 years and are a safe and clinically proven technology. Implants have an integration success rate of up to 98 per cent, and if properly maintained, will last for a considerable number of years, if not a lifetime.
Can I have more than one implant?
Yes. You can have any number of teeth replaced with implants – from one single tooth to a complete set.
Placing an implant can be easier than extracting a tooth and is usually done using a simple local anaesthetic. You will not feel any pain during the procedure, but there may be some discomfort in the week after surgery.
After your implants have been placed, the bone in your jaw needs to grow onto them and fuse to them, a process called osseointegration. This usually takes about 6 to 12 weeks. After the healing period the replacement tooth (a crown, bridge or denture) is secured to the implant.
