11 October 2012
How can dental implants help you to end the suffering due to missing or lost teeth ?
What are dental implants and how do they work?
Dental implants are a proven treatment that can help to reverse the dramatic effects that missing teeth can have on both your mouth health and self-esteem. Unlike dentures which are removable, implants are a permanent solution and can help you to chew comfortably and smile radiantly. Implants are now becoming more and more popular as awareness of them increases, however they are not a new thing and have been around for well over 40 years.
The use of implants in the mouth can vary from replacing a single lost tooth using an implant and a crown, to using multiple implants to support long span dental bridges or to increase the support given to dentures.
In simplistic terms, dental implants are screwed into your bone and once settled they can have dental work such as crowns attached to them allowing the crowns to be anchored into place
What are dental implants made from?
Dental implants are made from titanium which the body accepts well. The crown that fits over the implant is either made from porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. This crown is matched in colour to the natural teeth around it allowing it to blend in and look as natural as possible
Does the process hurt?
Like with most dental procedures, dental implants are done under local anaesthetic. The treatment when they are placed is completely painless due to the anaesthesia. There can be some tenderness lasting up to a few days after implant placement and some swelling but this usually subsides very quickly. Once this has subsided, after a week or so you will not really notice that they are there. If required, the implants can also be placed under sedation which helps nervous patients relax and overcome their phobias.
How long do they last?
It is advisable to visit your dentist regularly once implants have been placed. The success rate is approximately 96% and is dependent on a variety of things. As long as your mouth is well looked after and healthy there is no reason why an implant should fail.
How much does a dental implant treatment cost?
The cost of dental implants is dependent on many factors including the number of dental implants placed, the type of dental prosthesis above the implant and whether any bone grafting is needed. Dental implants are generally more expensive than alternative treatments such as dentures or bridges but they should be looked at as an investment.
Am I suitable for implants?
Most patients are suitable for implants, however certain patients with complex medical histories and bone diseases may need to be treated in a more specialised way. In certain cases where teeth have been missing for quite some time, there may be a lack of bone around the area. In these situations artificial bone grafting may be needed which is a relatively simple process and often can be done at the same time as implants are placed.
How long do implants take to complete
Once an implant is placed into the bone, there is usually a 3 month period before the dental crown is placed. This is needed to make sure that there is fusion between the implant and the bone and to make sure that the implant is ready to load. In certain situations the implant can be loaded immediately after it is placed but this would be dependent on the individual case.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants restorations resemble your natural teeth more closely than removable full or partial dentures,
• They provide a solid, permanent solution to missing or damaged teeth.
• They improve speech and help when eating harder foods such as apples
• They improve confidence as they are the closest thing to natural teeth
• They can be used to replace one tooth or multiple teeth
• They Can be used as a fixed long term solution
• They are often used as part of a smile makeover
We find that overall; our dental implant patients are left feeling more confident, with an improved quality of life.
To arrange a free dental implant consultation you can contact us on 0161 8206141 or email [email protected]
