What is A dental implant?
Dental implant is a contemporary approach used to restore the lost tooth roots. It is the most long-lasting solution when a patient needs to replace one tooth, several teeth or an entire toothless jaw. Dental implants help to improve quality of life and enable you to feel happy and confident again.
Implants are generally suitable for most people, no matter your age, the condition of your teeth or the number of implants you require.
At Welham Green Dental, we offer single tooth implants to replace a single missing tooth or to replace several missing teeth in odd places.
Single tooth dental implants
A dental implant is an artificial prosthesis used to replace a missing tooth in the lower or upper jaw. Most single dental implants are made of surgical grade titanium – a biocompatible metal that can fuse with the bone – that, once implanted in the jawbone, serves as the new anchor for the replacement tooth or crown.
While dental implants may be more costly than other kinds of tooth restoration or replacement, their benefits are numerous. Patients who have lost a single tooth or several teeth due to sport injuries or periodontal disease may be excellent candidates for this type of cosmetic dentistry.
Implant-supported dental bridge
As the name implies, implant-supported bridges use dental implants as opposed to crowns or frameworks.
An implant-supported bridge is far superior to removable partials or a fixed bridge supported by multiple teeth. Your face structure will be kept intact and adjacent teeth will be preserved. Patients with implant-supported bridge implants love that they can eat all their favourite foods again. You will not need to worry about denture adhesives or cleaning solutions. Our multiple teeth implants look, feel, and function just like regular teeth.
All-on-4 or All-on-6 Dental Implant solution (Smile in a day Dental Implants)
Many denture wearers in the UK are unhappy with how their dentures look, feel and operate.
Dental Implants has become a popular treatment as it offers an alternative to traditional, uncomfortable dentures.
The All-on-4 or All-on-6 dental implant solution is a treatment option for patients who have lost most or all of their teeth and desire a fixed set of replacement teeth. It involves the placement of 4 or 6 dental implants in the jawbone to support a full arch of prosthetic teeth. This means that you would have a dental prosthesis composed of 16 teeth, relying on 4 or 6 dental implants.
The implants are strategically placed in the jawbone to provide optimum support. The dental prosthesis is then fixed to the implants using a screw system.This technique makes it possible to replace an entire jawbone without having to fit a dental implant for each tooth replaced.
This treatment is also referred to as Smile in a day Dental Implants as your surgeon can permanently replace missing teeth and provide you with a smile makeover in one day.
Advantages of implants for tooth replacement
Dental implants are often advantageous over partial dentures or bridges, making them a smart tooth replacement option for patients of all ages. Some of the key benefits of dental implants include:
- More comfortable and secure than dentures
- They are permanent, as they fuse with your bone
- Dental implants will never shift or move out of place
- Look and feel more like your natural teeth
- Easier to clean compared to bridges
- Help maintain jawbone integrity
- Less invasive than a tooth-fixed bridge
- Help prevent bone deterioration associated with missing teeth
- Preserves adjacent teeth
- Single tooth dental implants will never decay
BONE AUGMENTATION
Gum disease, trauma, and extensive bone loss following tooth extraction are reasons a patient may not have enough bone structure to support a dental implant. Bone substitute materials can increase the amount of bone available for an implant and improve implant treatment outcomes.
SINUS LIFT
The sinuses are naturally occurring air spaces within the bone around the nose. The roots of the upper back molar teeth often lie close to the air sinuses. When these upper back cheek teeth are removed, the air sinuses that lie above the roots often increase in size, and as a result, bone is lost from the area.
Although this is a natural process, it does cause problems if dental implants are placed in the area to replace missing molar teeth. It is important for dental implants must be placed into as much sound bone as possible if they are to function successfully long term. Therefore, a sinus lift procedure is recommended to replace the missing bone before implant placement.
It involves carefully entering the enlarged sinus and gently inserting bone substitute materials to restore the missing bone in the area.
Straumann - Implant-borne single-tooth treatment
Straumann - Removable denture with retentive attachment system
Dental Implants
Implant Procedure
The First Phase
The first phase of the tooth implant procedure, after a detailed consultation and the provision of a treatment plan is the implant placement which usually takes just 1 visit. The implant then remains covered for 3 – 6 months during which time it osseointegrates into the jawbone. You can be provided with a temporary denture which you will be able to wear after implant placement. You will need to follow a soft diet for at least 2 weeks.
The Second Phase
When the implant has integrated successfully into the mouth, then a healing cap will be added to the implant fixture. Any modifications required to your temporary dentures will be undertaken to allow you continue to wear it before your new tooth is placed.
The Third Phase
The final phase usually starts approximately 2 – 6 weeks after the second phase. During this phase, your new teeth crowns are created, fitted and tried in the mouth to make sure they fit comfortably and match your regular teeth colour. This phase can last up to 4 to 8 weeks, after which you will have your brand new smile!
Our Service with a Smile
We have a wide selection of affordable private and NHS treatments at Welham Green Dental that ensures you have the very best support at a pace to suit you.
