If you are concerned about missing teeth or loose dentures, the treatment of choice is dental implants. In essence, a dental implant is a titanium screw placed in the jawbone which slowly fuses with the bone which can then be used as a ‘root’ for an artificial tooth, or for the support of dentures. If you are having a tooth removed and wish to have it replaced with a tooth implant, the best time to do so is within the three months following the extraction.

The first step is, as with all the treatments we offer, careful planning. This will involve a half hour consultation session with one of our dental implant surgeons. You will need to have an examination of your mouth and an X-ray. Clinical photographs and study models will also be taken. The implant surgeon can then decide and plan with you the best course of action.

Implant treatment takes place in two stages. Dental implant placement in the jawbone is a minor surgical procedure that takes about 30 – 45 minutes. This treatment can be carried out under sedation if you are at all apprehensive. You will need to come back after about a week for review and to have any stitches removed. The tooth implant then needs at least 6 weeks (and up to 6 months) to fuse with the jawbone so that it sets solid. We like to keep a close eye on things during this period, so you may need to visit us now and then for a check up. If you have an unsightly ‘gap’ we would normally fit a temporary replacement while the dental implant is healing. The second stage is the fitting of the crown or denture, which takes place only when the implant has ‘set’.

Dental implants have a number of significant advantages over dentures and bridgework. After you loose a tooth, the natural tendency is for the bone of the jaw to slowly disappear – this may lead to a change in shape of your lower face and a prematurely aged appearance. Dental implants can actually stimulate bone growth and so prevent the ageing process. Teeth implants also tend to function better than dentures or bridgework, which means that you can eat and speak with more confidence. Finally, dental implants can look just like natural teeth, so you can once again be proud of your smile!

Provided you care for it correctly, dental implants can give you a lifetime of trouble-free service. However, just like a natural tooth, a tooth implant may cause problems if you don’t look after it properly. Good oral hygiene and regular maintenance reviews are obviously important. Teeth implants are not a ‘quick fix’. They require commitment from both dentist and patient but have excellent results if both care and time are taken.

If you would like more in-depth implant information, please do ask us for a free copy of a leaflet entitled ‘Dental Implant Information’ published by The Association of Dental Implantology (UK). This is an excellent independent guide for patients, which covers more of the technical aspects of dental implants.

For further implant information, please click here.

Cost of dental implants – from £2420. A full written quotation for dental implant treatment will be provided after a full clinical assessment by one of our implant surgeons.