What?

A Dental implant is essentially a substitute for a natural root and provides the ideal solution for missing teeth. Implants can be used to replace bridges and dentures to give you the perfect, natural smile.

Why?

When teeth are missing, the surrounding bone begins to shrink. Dental implants can help maintain the shape and structure of the jawbone, therefore retaining the natural, youthful shape of your face.

Replacement teeth which are secured or stabilised by implants are more comfortable than conventional dentures because there is no slipping or movement.

How?

A small screw-shaped attachment, usually made from titanium, is inserted into the jawbone to take the place of a missing tooth root. Once the implant has become firmly attached to the surrounding bone, a replacement tooth can be secured to the top of the implant. This new tooth looks, feels and performs just like a natural tooth.

The implant process normally involves several steps that take place over a period of between three and nine months. Although there are various implant treatment methods, a typical process often includes:

• Assessment planning - after discussing possible alternatives, the dental surgeon will assess the feasibility of providing implant treatment. X-rays may be taken and preliminary models prepared.
• Implant placement - A relatively simple minor surgical procedure that can be performed under sterile conditions in a dental surgery under local anaesthesia.
• Integration period - Although some implants can be brought into function immediately or soon after surgery, it is often advisable to allow time for the implant to fully integrate. During this healing phase dentures or in some cases a simple adhesive bridge can be worn.
• The restorative period - Once integrated the implant can be brought into function with a variety of restorations ranging from a single crown to a removable over denture clipped to the implants.

Well maintained implants placed into adequate bone can be expected to last for many years.

If you are missing just one natural tooth then one implant is normally all that is needed to provide a replacement. Larger spaces created by two, three or more missing teeth do not necessarily need one implant per tooth.

Who?

Matthew Gormally is the practice’s implant specialist and is completing a Masters Degree in Implant Dentistry from the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He is happy to discuss the options available to you and create a bespoke treatment plan for you detailing the sequence of treatment and the associated costs.

For a consultation with Matthew, please call the surgery.