Implants are artificial titanium/zirconium like structures that replace teeth that are lost by being placed into the jawbone. Implant placement does require surgery but mostly this is not uncomfortable and better than having a tooth removed.
The implant is similar to the root of the tooth and the implant can replace one tooth only to support a bridge (to replace a row of missing teeth or support a denture to prevent it from moving while you eat, talk or smile.)
At Abbey Dental Clinic we have two experienced implant dentists who have both restored and placed implants over 10 years and all the dentists are qualified to restore your implants. Our choice is to place and restore 3 main systems, which are market leaders in the implant field:
Any consultation fee will be discounted from the treatment price if treatment is commenced
If you have any of the following you can get a Dental Implant;
Generally the implant is placed in a surgical procedure carried out under local anaesthetic. Depending on the number of implants placed. Normal painkillers may be required for a couple of days at most. Some patients may swell a little and some bruise but this is very much individual to the patient.
No, thankfully you should never be without teeth. We can usually work with a transitional denture or temporary bridge while the implant heals into your bone.
Implants are not for life. They have a lifespan of roughly 10 years (again individual to the patient). Certain factors, e.g. smoking, diabetes, medications can adversely affect the lifespan of your implant but with proper maintenance and regular reviews, your implant may last longer. At ADC, we recommend an on-going maintenance regime of three monthly visits with one of our hygienist team members.
Like any other tooth, implants can suffer a form of gum disease causing the implant to fail. Hopefully, when they do start to fail the implants can be removed, left to heal and in 3 to 4 months’ time reassessed for implant treatment again.
Placing and restoring an implant takes many visits. We have listed a rough estimate of stages, however there may be more visits required for a more complex case.
Initial consultation, at this appointment we will take any necessary x-rays and answer any questions you may have in regards to the procedure.
Impressions for transitional denture, this is a short appointment then you will return within a week.
Extraction of the tooth/teeth and fit of transitional denture, this is a short term option to fill the space before we commence the implant procedure in three months’ time. We allow three months healing time between the extraction and implant treatment.
CBCT Scan to show volume of bone, at this point we can establish of any bone grafts are necessary. Bone grafts are necessary in 90% of anterior dental implant cases.
Placement of implant, this appointment will last approximately 1 1/2 hours and there will be swelling/bruising afterwards for up to 3 or 4 days. After this procedure we will leave the implant to heal and you will return in 1 week for suture removal.
After 9 to 12 weeks the implant will be uncovered, this is short surgical procedure that lasts approximately half an hour under local anaesthetic.
