What are dental implants?

Missing a tooth is never a good thing. It doesn’t matter if you have lost it in an accident or through natural causes, it can make even the most confident people subdued and self-conscious. If you feel like a missing tooth is affecting your wellbeing, a dental implant might be the solution for you.

Basically, a dental implant is a false replacement for a missing tooth. It is more than just filling a gap. It is a secure, more permanent solution, much longer lasting than a bridge or a denture.

The treatment begins by fastening a small screw into the jawbone which is used as a replacement root. We will then attach a crown or denture to the screw, securing it in position and making a brilliant alternative to a tooth.

If you look after it, there is no reason for a dental implant not to last you many years. It will stay firmly in place, unlike dentures or bridges which often end up moving around as the jawbone changes over time. The perfect custom fit means there won’t be any speech changes or discomfort, and the implant will be designed to match the rest of your teeth so it will be completely undetectable.

Is a dental implant for me?

Are you missing an entire tooth? Part of a tooth? Do you have a loose tooth? Maybe you play contact sports that have damaged the integrity of your teeth. Maybe old age has weakened them over the years. If you feel like any of that applies for you then get in touch. We won’t do anything until one of our dentists has examined your teeth thoroughly.

Why dental implants? 

Dental implants will restore your teeth to a strong, natural-looking state. As well as boosting your confidence and improving your mental wellbeing, you will restore the strength in your jaw structure and bone tissue, and it helps treat gum disease too. The real question is, why not dental implants?

What does dental implant treatment actually involve?

Generally the whole treatment can be completed in a handful of appointments. After an initial health check to make sure the treatment is appropriate for you, the first step is inserting the titanium screw. Once the jaw has healed and the screw is tight, we will fit the false tooth.

The healing process might take a few weeks in between each appointment, but the treatment is finished off by fitting a permanent crown or bridge. The implant is hidden away by natural looking artificial teeth.

Local anaesthetic ensures this is a comfortable, painless experience.

Are dental implants my only choice? 

Dental implants are an excellent tooth loss treatment and that missing tooth will be a thing of the past in no time at all. But you might not necessarily need them. Maybe dentures or a bridge would be sufficient to solve any problems. The best thing to do is to book yourself an appointment and have a full consultation with our dentists who will be able to advise you fully.

What’s next?

When the anaesthetic wears off in the recovery period you might feel a little discomfort, but it’s nothing that cannot be managed by some over the counter painkillers. If you have any concerns or ongoing issues then feel free to drop back in to talk to the dentist.

If you look after your dental implants well enough you do not need to worry about having a replacement anytime soon. Some last up to 30 years. Follow our usual oral hygiene guidelines to keep them healthy.

Stages of Therapy

Our dental implant treatments are made up of three stages. The first stage is the digital smile design. Much like our other treatments, both in general and cosmetic dentistry, we create a digital map of your mouth using sophisticated photos, x-rays and 3D scans. This gives the dentist a clear view of your mouth and the best way to insert the implant for maximum results.

We can also use the digital smile design to predict and visualise the results of the treatment. We can show them to you so you can see exactly what the outcome will be before we even begin the treatment.

The second stage of a dental implant is the surgery to insert the screw. This will be performed under anaesthetic to make it a comfortable experience. The amount of time needed in surgery will depend on how complex the implant is – sometimes bone grafts, soft tissue grafts or other specific procedures will be done but this entirely depends on your situation. It’s different for everyone.

After the surgery, you can generally expect about an 8-week period of rest and recovery for the jaw to heal and the implant to set. You can go back to work in this time, and your dentist will give you plenty of advice on how to speed up the healing process.

Finally, we will invite you back for the finishing touches of the implant which will involve fastening a veneer, crown or similar to the implant to mask the gap. The replacement tooth will match your natural teeth seamlessly.

What’s next? Well, the only thing left to do is go out into the world and enjoy your brand new smile.