Implants

Dental implants are fast becoming an extremely popular treatment for patients with missing or damaged teeth. The dental implant replaces the damaged root portion of the tooth, and consists of a fine titanium rod which is fitted into the jawbone. When attached to a new crown, the tooth looks completely natural and will work in exactly the same way as your original tooth. Dental implants can be used to support crowns, dental bridges and dentures.

Why would I need a dental implant?

People frequently lose teeth, either as a result of severe decay or as a result of an accident or injury. Once the tooth has been lost, the gap it leaves can make the smile look less attractive and missing teeth can also cause problems with your bite, and movement of adjacent teeth which may contribute to difficulties with speaking and eating. Other options include dentures and bridges, but dental implants are often recommended because they last a lot longer, and they help to retain bone in the jaws where teeth have been lost. Dental implants do not require frequent replacement unlike dentures and bridges.

What does the treatment involve?

The implant placement procedure is relatively straightforward. The implant is placed into the jaw bone under local anaesthetic and is then secured in the socket and the gum tissue is left to heal for a period of around six weeks, or longer in some cases. When the tissue has fully healed, the dental bridge, denture or crown is attached.

In some cases, there may not be enough bone tissue to support the implant. If this is the case one of our resident dentists may use a synthetic bone graft or one from another part of the body. Dental implants are suitable for most people but if you smoke, drink heavily, grind your teeth or have periodontal disease, you may be advised to choose an alternative treatment.