Why dental implants?
If you are missing a tooth or several teeth, then you probably already know that a gap in your smile can affect your confidence as well as your ability to enjoy food.
It’s also important to be aware that losing teeth can also have an impact on your remaining teeth, causing them to shift and move. Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements that can be used to replace single or multiple missing teeth. They can even be used to replace a full jaw of teeth. Dental implants are often considered the “gold standard” for replacing missing teeth, as they do not involve any preparation of your remaining natural teeth.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a metal post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone and becomes the foundation for an artificial tooth. Once in place, a replacement tooth is fixed onto the implant, usually by way of a small screw. Dental implants are very versatile and can be used to replace single teeth, multiple teeth, and even a full set of teeth. They can also be used to secure loose-fitting dentures using special attachments that act a bit like “press-studs”. We call these snap-on dentures.
The procedure
We work meticulously to plan your dental implant procedure. This begins with a detailed examination of your mouth and normally includes a CT scan of your jaws. It is important that your mouth and gums are healthy before embarking on any treatment.
The CT scan provides a detailed 3D picture of your jaw and allows us to carefully assess the areas where your implants are planned. Sometimes there is not enough bone to allow an implant to be placed and we may need to add more bone. This can either be done at the time your implant is placed or beforehand. This procedure is called a bone graft and is very routinely carried out in conjunction with dental implants. Various materials and techniques can be used to build up missing bone and we will discuss this in more detail if it is required.
Most implant procedures are carried out under local anaesthetic, however, some patients choose to have sedation to feel more relaxed. We may also recommend sedation if the procedure is going to take longer than normal to ensure you’re totally comfortable.
The number of implants needed will depend on your case and how many teeth are being replaced. Once implants have been placed they need to be left for a period of time while they knit to the surrounding bone, A process known as ‘osseointegration’. This normally takes around 3 months but may be longer if bone grafting is necessary. Temporary teeth can be worn during this time.
Once your implants have fully knitted to the bone your custom-made tooth or teeth can be attached.
To find out more about dental implants, speak to Cape Road today. Call 01926 491029 or fill out the form below. You can also book a consultation.
