Dental Implants

A dental implant is a small titanium screw, placed into the jawbone to create a permanent new root. A natural tooth coloured crown is then placed over the dental implant .

Dental implants are an ideal solution for replacing missing teeth, bridges or dentures and are the next best thing to natural teeth. They are a safe alternative treatment to the existing bridge or denture.

A natural tooth consists of a root (which is embedded in the jawbone), and a crown or superstructure above the gums.

A dental implant is a titanium insert that is readily accepted by bone including the jawbones and therefore can replace the root of a natural tooth.

Human bony tissue grows into and around the implant firmly locking it into place. Implants can then be used to support crowns , bridges or unstable dentures.

Implants can be used to replace one, several or all the missing teeth.

What are the advantages of Dental Implants?

When a tooth is lost they can replace that missing tooth and support a crown without the need to damage or compromise adjacent teeth. Furthermore where a number of teeth have been lost they can act as bridge retainers and support several teeth thereby removing the need to wear removable dentures.

Loose dentures can be firmly fixed in place using implants as anchors and allow you to once again go about your daily life with confidence. Furthermore dental implants help maintain the bone volume which in turn helps to support the facial profile and reduce unwanted changes in facial appearance.

What are the disadvantages of Dental Implants?

The disadvantages of using dental implants are that the treatment may be more expensive in the shorter term than alternative more conventional treatment options and the treatment may take longer to complete.

Are Dental Implants successful and how long do they last?

Long term clinical trials have proven that modern dental implants have very high success rates which in many instances far out strip the prognosis of more conventional treatments on compromised natural teeth.

How can I find out if I am suitable to have Dental Implants?

Dr Richard Hale or his associates will carry out a full and detailed assessment including taking any necessary x-rays of your whole mouth including the proposed dental implant site. They will discuss all dental implant options with you including all alternatives using conventional treatments. This is to ensure that you are in position to make an informed choice about the treatment plan which is most appropriate for you. In general there are no age restrictions on patients who can have implants. The only exception is that it is best to wait until facial growth is completed at about 18 years of age. The only restriction is that there needs to be an adequate amount of bone at the proposed implant site and enough space between the existing teeth with which to place the implant retained crowns. In many cases an inadequate amount of bone can be overcome by bone grafting. Mr Mark Glynn BDS,DGDP,RCS,DPDS surgically places the dental implants at The Cottage Dental Practice, he has 30 years experience in implantology.

Is Dental Implant treatment painful?

The vast majority of dental implant treatment is carried out under simple local anaesthesia. In some cases where it is felt appropriate following discussion with you the patient, local anaesthesia can be supplemented with either oral sedation or intravenous conscious sedation. The dental implant placement procedures are painless although in certain cases you may have some discomfort in the first few days following surgery. We will always follow a standard protocol of instructions and medication post surgery in order to ensure that the healing is as symptom free as possible for you.

How much does a Dental Implant cost?

Dental implant treatment is not available under the NHS except in very exceptional circumstances where certain development or medical conditions are present. Our fee for a complete single tooth implant placement including crown replacement is from £2000. If we are placing more than one dental implant in the same proximity then the cost per implant and crown could be reduced. This may vary if bone grafting is required. On completion of a detailed dental implant assessment we will be in a position to give you a report setting out all the treatment options and accurate costs.

Further Information:

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