What are Dental Implants?

A Dental Implant is a titanium screw inserted into the jaw bone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Once the implant has integrated with the bone, fixtures can be attached to the implant to support a crown, a bridge, or a denture. An implant therefore is the foundation for a permanent artificial replacement of a missing tooth.

Am I suitable for Implants?

Our Implant Practitioner, Dr Jonathan Lee will carry out a thorough assessment of your medical status, your oral health and hygiene, and of the implant site. Most patients are suitable for implant placement and Dr Lee will discuss your suitability with you, and advise you of any contraindications and risks.

How are implants placed?

Implants are placed using surgical procedure carried out under local anaesthetic. Having a dental implant usually involves 3 or 4 stages over a 3 to 6-month period:

• A pre-operative assessment
• Bone grafting (a procedure to increase the amount of bone in your jaw for supporting the implant). Not everyone needs this.
• Putting in your implant
• Fitting your crown, bridges or denture (restorative treatment)

What are the benefits of having an implant?

There should be no pain involved in the placement of an implant. Your Dentist will check that you are suitably numb from the local anaesthetic, before commencing the procedure. After the anaesthetic wears off, there will be some minor discomfort which can be easily managed using over-the-counter painkillers.

How are implants placed?

• Restores the ability to chew
• Restores cosmetic appearance
• Helps keep the jawbone from shrinking due to bone loss
• Preserves the health of the surrounding bone and gums
• Helps keep adjacent (nearby) teeth stable
• Improves quality of life

What are the risks associated with Implant placement?

As with any dental procedure, there are risks associated with the treatment. Risks will be kept to a minimum by a thorough assessment of your case, and the procedure being performed by a trained, skilled, and competent clinician. However, risks include:

• Damage to surrounding natural teeth during implant placement
• Injury to the surrounding tissues during surgery, such as sinus perforation
• Injury during surgery (for example, fracture of surrounding jawbone)
• Inadequate function, such as feeling like the teeth do not bite together normally
• A sensation that the tooth is loose or twisting in place resulting from an attachment screw loosening or fracture
• Implant body failure (looseness of the implant body)
• • due to systemic infection, which may be more likely in patients with uncontrolled diabetes
  • due to local infection in bone and gums supporting the implant body
  • due to delayed healing, which may be more likely in patients who smoke
• Difficulty cleaning the gums around the implant, resulting in poor oral hygiene
• Post-surgical numbness due to nerve impingement or damage – this may be temporary or permanent

What are the costs of having an Implant?

The treatment costs in total for a single implant fully restored with a crown is in the region of £2500- £3000. We can arrange finance to help spread the cost.

If you are thinking of Dental Implants to replace missing teeth, you can arrange a consultation with our Implant practitioner, Dr Jonathan Lee, and he will advise you further of your options. You can arrange this by booking online here Online Booking (dentalhub.online) or by calling our Reception on 01702 549595