Dental Implants
A permanent solution for missing teeth!
Whether you are young or not so young, have one missing tooth, several missing teeth or no teeth at all, dental implants could make a dramatic difference to the way that your mouth feels, looks and functions. In many situations, a dental implant is the most pleasingly aesthetic solution for replacing a missing tooth. An all-ceramic dental crown or dental bridge, secured to a dental implant, provides a complete and beautiful solution for improving your smile.
A dental implant takes the place of the missing tooth’s root and after it has been placed a crown, bridge or denture may be attached to it. Almost all dental implants in use today are made from titanium or titanium alloy, materials that have been shown over many years to be well tolerated by bone. There are many different implant systems available and when competently used they can all deliver a highly reliable form of treatment.
The advantages of dental implants are that they can:
- Provide a secure foundation for cosmetic crowns, bridges and dentures.
- Are self-supporting and help reduce the workload on natural teeth.
- Have been proven to help reduce the progressive bone loss usually seen after natural teeth have been extracted. In certain extreme cases, severe bone loss through tooth loss can lead to accentuated facial wrinkling and contribute to premature facial ageing.
- Adjacent natural teeth do not usually require preparation and therefore tooth tissue and health is preserved.
Like any dental and medical treatments 100% guarantee of success cannot be given with dental implants. However, dental implant placement can be very successful providing that you are a non-smoker and maintain a very high standard of oral hygiene. Dental implants are not predictable in smokers, therefore we recommend that you are a non-smoker if you are considering implant therapy.
It is usual to experience some minor discomfort following implant surgery. The exact amount and duration varies with the:
- Number of implants placed
- Length and technical difficulty of procedure
- Use of graft materials and type of graft used
- Individuals reaction to surgery
Painkillers will be prescribed in advance of, and following surgery to ensure your comfort. We advise patients that they may suffer swelling and bruising although this is unusual. Implant surgery should be arranged at a suitable time when work and social commitments are light or can be reduced appropriately.
Dental implants will provide you with teeth that look and feel natural and will allow you to live, laugh and enjoy life with renewed confidence.