Dental Implants

Have you lost all or some of your natural teeth? Bridges, dentures and flexible dentures are not the only solution, thanks to advances in modern dentistry. Have you heard of dental implants? Implant dentistry offers a clinically proven and safe solution to getting a great smile back and being able to bite and chew with confidence. This is how they work:

1. Dental implants are small metal screws that are placed in the jaw in place of a missing tooth.
2. Once established, crowns, bridges and dentures can be fixed onto the implants, creating a natural-looking and stable restoration.

If you are thinking about getting dental implants, it is essential that you come in for a consultation where your suitability for this particular treatment can be thoroughly assessed.

Here is what you can expect at a typical consultation:

1. Part of the consultation will involve answering questions about your medical history, your lifestyle and habits, as well as how you would like your smile to look after treatment. Factors like your oral health and jawbone density will also be taken into account.
2. X-rays and photographs will be taken of your teeth and mouth and you will also have a detailed dental examination. This will give the team a good idea of your current oral health and what treatment will give you the best results.
3. This initial consultation is a good opportunity for you to ask any questions that you might have about the treatment and to discuss your preference for sedation. Based on the current state of your teeth you may need to receive a few treatments with the hygienist in preparation for the implants.

The journey

1. Depending on your dentition, you may require a bone graft to prepare the implant site a few months before they can be placed.
2. The surgery itself is usually done in the dental chair and you will be given the option of having sedation if you feel particularly anxious. Although you will feel some pressure on your gums during the procedure, you will not feel any pain due to local anaesthesia. Our skilled team will make every effort to make you feel comfortable and relaxed throughout.
3. Once placed, you will need to take extra care of your teeth and gums to ensure they remain healthy and free of dental decay or gum diseases. It is important to understand that your implant will have to be looked after as if it was a natural tooth and that infections can arise if the proper regular hygiene is not carried out. With the help of our team you will be guided on how to best look after your implant so you can enjoy your new smile for years to come.

Replacing a single tooth

Here’s how it works:

1. The screw will be surgically placed directly into your jaw by your dentist. Its shape and material are optimal for close contact and ultimately fusion with bone, providing maximum stability later on.
2. Depending on the condition of your mouth and jawbone, the implant ‘abutment’ (the crown or bridge that fits onto the screw) may be added immediately after the screw is inserted, or sometimes it may be added at a later date. It will blend in perfectly with your natural teeth in colour and shape.
3. Either way, there will be some healing time. The screw will slowly mesh with the bone, becoming a natural component of your jaw.

Your implant will look and feel exactly like a normal tooth: no one will ever know, and even you might forget! You will still be able to bite and chew normally, and the bone in your jaw will remain intact over time.

Replacing Multiple Teeth

If you have lost multiple teeth, you may be wearing a denture or partial denture. This can be a real burden, causing embarrassment, discomfort and generally having a real negative impact on your quality of life. Did you know you don’t have to eat soft foods or wear dentures for the rest of your life? Implants are a viable and clinically proven alternative to missing teeth.

1. Multiple teeth can be replaced with just a single implant. The implant screw can support a bridge of up to four teeth in a row, each stable and sturdy and guaranteed for life with good hygiene and maintenance.
2. Depending on the volume of jawbone, a dental implant and abutments can be placed on the same day or over a period of months. The implants will look and feel exactly like your natural teeth.
3. After a period of healing, your implants will be fully integrated and will look, feel and function just like natural teeth!

Life Benefits

• A beautiful, natural smile that is all your own.
• The reassuring knowledge that your implants will last you a lifetime if properly cared for.
• Full function restored, which means freedom for you.
• Bone density will be maintained and so will the integral structure of your face.

Having dental implant treatment can be a life-changing experience. Our patients often comment about how different they feel when they look at their smiles in the mirror and many are surprised by how easy it is to bite and chew foods that they had previously avoided.

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