Dental Implants
Dental implants can be used to replace missing teeth. A titanium metal rod is placed into the jawbone and used to support one or more implant crowns. In practice both the implant crowns and their supporting rods are known as ‘implants’. It can be possible to have any number of teeth replaced with implants – from one single tooth to a complete set.
What are the advantages of implants over other treatments?
Once it has settled, an implant will not feel any different to a normal tooth whereas some people find dentures move about and may affect their speech. An implant to replace a single tooth avoids the need to cut down the teeth either side for bridge supports.
Are implants safe? How long will they last?
Implants are a well-established, tried-and-tested treatment. Ninety per cent of modern implants last for at least 15 years.
Can implants always be used to replace missing teeth?
Not necessarily - it depends on the health and thickness of the bone in your jaw. Your dentist or specialist will arrange for any necessary tests and x-rays to assess the amount of bone still there. If there is not enough, or if it isn’t healthy enough, it may be necessary first to graft bone into the area before placing implants.
Do implants hurt?
Placing an implant requires a small operation. This can be carried out under local anaesthetic and can often be done under conscious sedation. You will not feel any pain at the time but you may feel some discomfort during the week following the surgery. This is usually due to having stitches in place and to the normal healing process.
Do I need to have an implant for each missing tooth?
Not necessarily! Using “multiple dental implants” we can, for example, replace 3 or more teeth with only 2 implants. If you are replacing all the teeth in one jaw, normally only 5 or 6 implants are used as each implant can usually support 2 teeth.
Can I have the new teeth straight away?
No, because the implants need to bond (integrate) with the bone after they have been placed. This will usually take 3-6 months. If you are having 1, 2 or 3 teeth replaced, you will probably have a temporary restoration in the meantime. If you have complete dentures, then you can wear them throughout the healing period once they have been adjusted after the surgery.
How long does treatment take?
A lot depends on how complicated your treatment is. It takes about 12 months from the initial assessment to the time when the implant crowns or dentures are finally attached to the implants. Your dentist or specialist will be able to give you a timetable once the surgery has been done.
Do the implants show?
Your dentist will make sure that the implants won’t show during all normal movements of the mouth and lips. You will need to be able to see them so that you can clean them properly.
Are the teeth difficult to clean?
Cleaning around the teeth attached to the implants is no more difficult than cleaning natural teeth.
Can I take the teeth out if they are fixed to implants?
Most implant crowns can only be placed and removed by the dentist. However, if you have complete dentures fixed to the implants by bars, then you’ll be able to take them out for cleaning.
What happens if the implant does not bond (integrate) with the bone?
This happens sometimes. If the implant becomes loose during the healing period or just after, then it is easily removed and healing takes place in the normal way. Once the jaw has healed another implant can be placed there. Or the dentist can make a bridge, using the implanted false teeth that have ‘taken’.
Is the treatment very expensive?
In many situations the cost of the treatment is only a little more than the cost of conventional treatment with crowns and bridges.
Where do I get this treatment?
We are able to offer you this treatment at the Charlbury Dental Practice.
