Dental Implants

Dental implants are a titanium metal root which is placed into the jawbone. It is used to support one or more false teeth. In practice, both the false teeth and their supporting root are known as implants. Implants are a well-established, tried and tested treatment. Over 99% of modern implants should last many years with the right care. Implants are not always used to replace teeth; this all depends on the condition of the bone in the jaw.

Dr Turner will take x-rays before treating someone to make sure the bone is ok, if in some cases there is not enough bone to place an implant we will place a bone graft to help the Implant attach. Placing an implant means a small operation; this can be done with a local anaesthetic.

YES

The basic requirements for successful implantation are a good general state of health, good oral hygiene and adequate bone quality and volume.

• When disease leads to tooth loss.
• Whether young or old, severe gum or root inflammation, caries and other diseases can cause tooth loss. In these cases, dental implants are a useful alternative to restore the former appearance.
• When an accident leaves a tooth gap.
• Whether in sport or ordinary life, a small accident leading to loss of one or more teeth happens fast. Here, too, dental implants restore the natural appearance and function.
• In individual cases, implants can be inserted immediately after an accident, depending on the damage to the surrounding tissue.
• When teeth have been missing since birth.
• Tooth gaps can also be due to congenital absence (born with).
• If teeth have not developed or have grown incompletely, dental implants provide a solid foundation for a denture.

You will not feel any pain during the treatment taking place, but you may feel some discomfort after the implant for a couple of days.

After the implant there is some after care that needs to be put in place. We will give you antibiotics to make sure no infection occurs, some chlorhexidine gluconate mouth wash to keep the area clean and will recommend taking some pain relief. For the few days after we recommend taking it easy. It’s important to keep the area clean by brushing gently with your tooth brush.

The next stage for an implant is waiting for the bone to attach itself, this usually takes 3 months. Following this we will then put a healing abutment on the implant to allow the gum to form an area for the implant crown to sit on.

Once the whole treatment is complete you then treat the area like a normal tooth by brushing, rinsing and flossing. If you have 2 or more teeth missing in the same area you don’t have to have individual implants in the spaces, by this we bridge across.

For nearly all age groups.

Dental implants can be used as soon as jaw growth is complete. Apart from this restriction, implants can be the optimal solution for all age groups.

During the following healing period, the jaw bone knits firmly with the implant to form a secure base for the new teeth.

During the healing period, a temporary denture fills the gap until the final denture is inserted. As soon as healing is complete, the new teeth are screwed or cemented to the implant post.

In a few cases, it is also possible to insert the final denture immediately after insertion of the implant or implants. Your dentist will decide if this is an option.

• Implants are the most natural solution for looks and function.
• Fit harmoniously into the dental arch.
• Cannot be distinguished from real teeth in function and appearance in daily life.
• Provide a stable foundation for the denture.
• They spare patients the disadvantages of conventional dentures with problems such as pressure points and poor fit.
• The palate is not longer covered by plastic denture material, which has a positive effect on speech and the sense of taste.
• Makes it unnecessary to grind the neighboring teeth.
• Can prevent bone shrinkage.