04 February 2021
Implants-frequently asked questions
Here, we are answering some frequently asked questions about dental implants, which are now an extremely popular long term treatment to replace missing teeth. They are placed directly into the jawbone, where they provide an artificial replacement for the root of your missing tooth or teeth. They can support crowns or dentures, in a similar way that roots support natural teeth.
All of the following information can be watched in video format here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQVW-7PUpOU
1. What are dental implants made from?
The great majority of dental implants are made from titanium as this material integrates well with bone. A complete dental implant comprises of 3 components; the dental implant (a titanium screw placed into the gum), the abutment (the connecting component on top of this) and the crown (made from porcelain), or this can also be a bridge.
2. How many implants can I have?
Depending on your needs, dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth up to an entire row. One or two missing teeth will require one implant per tooth. If you require two or more missing teeth to be replaced, fewer implants may be used to anchor the teeth.
3. Why are dental implants better than dentures?
Dental implants are long term teeth replacements, and they’ve become a popular alternative to dentures over the past few years. While they cost more than dentures, they last longer so therefore save you money over time. Dental implants lead to fewer visits to the dentist because they’re easier to maintain compared to dentures. Once they have settled they are more comfortable too as they feel just like your natural teeth would.
4. How much do implants cost?
A single implant placement £1300 for the crown and abutment is £1000. There’s a variety of other payment options, depending on how many you have placed at the time.
5. What happens if you don’t have enough bone for dental implants?
If you don’t have enough jaw bone to support an implant, you can build up the bone through grafting. This procedure involves taking your own bone from other areas of the body where it isn’t needed and grafting it to your jaw bone to build enough volume to support an implant.
6. Will the procedure be painful?
With numbed nerves, you can expect not to feel any pain during your dental implant procedure. You may feel pressure at times, but it should not cause you discomfort. We also offer the option of dental sedation, where you are awake but extremely relaxed. After treatment there will be discomfort, which will peak the day after your treatment, and then begin to subside relatively quickly. By the end of your first-week post-surgery, you should be feeling little, if any, discomfort and pain.
7. What foods can I eat after implants?
Once the implants have settled you can resume your normal diet but it’s best to avoid really sticky things such a toffees. However, you may need to stick to soft foods while you are waiting for the implants to settle.
8. How long does the treatment take?
Traditionally, dental implants are performed in a two-step process. In the first step, the titanium post is inserted into the jaw bone. Before any further action is taken, time is allocated to allow the fusing of the dental implant to the jawbone. Then, after a minimum of 10 weeks of healing, an abutment and crown are placed on top of the implant. However, we also offer a same day smile procedure where the tooth is removed, an implant inserted and a crown placed, all in the same visit. This is only an option in certain cases though, or if multiple implants are being fitted at the same time. Bear in mind though that there is still a crucial planning phase that requires several visits.
9. Can I have all of my teeth removed and a full set of dental implants placed?
If your teeth are failing you can have numerous teeth removed and multiple implants placed in one day, meaning you can walk out of the practice with a complete set of teeth following our same day smile procedure. You will have temporaries fitted, and once your implants have fully integrated in 3-4 months you return to have your temporary arches removed and your final new teeth placed. Here is a same day smile case which we have recently completed.
10. Am I a suitable candidate for implants?
You must be over 18 as up to this age, your bone is still growing.
Smoking reduces the risk of implant integration, so ideally you need to be a non-smoker.
There are certain illnesses that could affect placement, so you would need a consultation beforehand to ascertain this.
You must be willing to maintain an excellent level of oral hygiene after the procedure.
11. Why should I have my implants done at Church Road?
Dr Karim has a wealth of experience, placing over 100 implants per year. He uses the latest technology to do guided surgery, which is basically a surgical guide to place the implant. We are also lucky enough to have an in house CT scanner. CT scans are taken right here at the practice, and a 3D model of the jaw is digitally generated. This method allows Dr Karim to plan precisely where the implants should be inserted into the jawbone. These latest technologies and computer imaging technology ensure maximum accuracy. Here are some before and after pictures of cases Dr Karim has done so you can see the amazing results that can be achieved.
For further information about dental implants, or to book an appointment follow this link: https://www.cheadlehulmedental.com/treatment/dental-implants-manchester.html
