Dental Implants at Dental Surgery Group
Implants offer the best way for replacing teeth, whether you have lost one, several, or all of your teeth. The result looks and feels just like natural teeth without involving any other teeth and allows you to live, laugh and enjoy life with full confidence.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants have many advantages compared to traditional dental restorations;
Dental implants look, feel and function like natural teeth;
Are a stable foundation for crowns, bridges and dentures;
Healthy teeth do not need to be cut down;
Dental implants can help prevent bone loss, maintaining facial features;
Implant dentures unlike traditional dentures have no palate, having a positive effect on speech and taste
Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement.
Implants Procedures
Process of Implants
Step 1
A hole is prepared in the jaw bone in stages. An Implant is fitted and a healing cap inserted.
Step 2
When the Implant has healed, the healing cap is exposed and an abutment inserted.
Step 3
A crown is then fitted to the abutment.
Step 4
When an implant is placed it can be some months before the new tooth is fitted.
Temporary Dentures
A temporary denture can be made for cosmetic purposes. But the impact from the lower jaw can disturb the implant and affect the healing process.
As an alternative an adhesive bridge can be made which is fixed to the adjacent tooth.
This provides a tiny, but permanent gap between the tooth and the new implant.
Sinus Lift
Occasionally when an implant needs to be placed in the upper jaw there may not be sufficient bone between the mouth and your sinus. In such cases the placement of an implant is still possible but may require a procedure known as the sinus lift.
Sinuses are cavities inside the structure of our skull.
When we lose a tooth, the bone around the root area starts to recede. This can lead to the sinus expanding into the tooth root area. If you choose to have an implant there may not be sufficient bone to support it.
Special material can be inserted to encourage bone re-growth and ‘lift’ the sinus.
Over time, the bone will re-grow providing enough bone to support the Implant.
Full Dentures
Do you have a full denture?
A number of Implants may be used to secure a lower denture.
A hole is made in the jaw bone for each implant. The implant is positioned and a healing cap applied.
The gum is replaced while the bone recovers. Access to the implant is made and the second part of the implant is attached.
The bars are attached and tiny magnets in the denture then keep it securely in place
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it hurt?
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Placing the implants requires a small operation. This can be carried out under local anaesthetic. You will not feel any pain at the time, but you may feel some discomfort during the week following the surgery. This is usually due to having stitches in place, and the normal healing process.
How long does the process take?
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Treatment times can vary on an individual basis. In most patients it will take between 6-8 weeks from implant placement to the final restoration. If bone quantity and quality is not favourable then the final result will take longer to achieve.
Will I have to take time off work?
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Generally, we recommend the day of and the following day after surgery, that no strenuous exercise be done. You can expect to be slightly swollen. The amount of time off required is an individual decision.
How long do they last?
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Implants are a well-established, tried-and-tested treatment. 90% of modern implants last for at least 15 years. This is depending on how well you look after them. Like any other restoration, your implant-supported teeth can still be damaged by trauma and affected by gum disease and poor oral hygiene.
Am I suitable?
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Dental implants can be placed in patients of any age (with fully developed jawbones), provided that they have a sufficient quantity and quality of bone tissue available. Most healthy individuals that maintain a good oral hygiene program are suitable candidates for dental implants. Circumstances where implants may not be suitable, or situations that have an increased risk of implant failure, include heavy smoking, excessive alcohol intake, periodontal gum disease, immune-compromised individuals, and teeth grinders.
