Dental Implants.

The beauty of natural teeth

Your teeth make a statement about you. A beautiful smile enhances your overall appearance and charisma, giving you added self confidence and presence. The condition of you teeth can impact your overall health, because your ability to chew helps to determine your food choices. Your speech is also affected by the condition of your teeth. Healthy, attractive teeth contribute to a better quality of life.

Another important function of your teeth is to maintain the integrity of your facial structures. The tooth roots stimulate continuous regeneration of the bone that surrounds them (your upper and lower jaws). Therefore, the appearance of the lower one-third of your face is affected by the presence of strong, healthy teeth.

The consequences of tooth loss

When a tooth is lost the bone that previously surrounded the tooth root deteriorates, or melts away. Missing teeth then compromise your eating habits, speech and appearance.

Dental implants – a “natural” replacement

Today, the preferred method of tooth replacement is dental implant treatment. Dental implants replace missing tooth roots, and form a stable foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like your natural teeth. Dental implants also preserve the remaining bone by providing the stimulation previously provided by the natural tooth roots.

How does a dental implant work?

The first step in the treatment sequence is placing the titanium implant in the jaw using a gentle surgical procedure.  The bone forms a strong bond to the implant after just 6-12 weeks, providing a solid foundation for attaching a replacement tooth (crown). Unlike other dental implants, our favoured system ITI Straumann implants are not usually covered by gum tissue, so a second surgical procedure is not required to attach the crowns.  Both the gum tissue and the bone remodel around the implant at the same time.

Following this brief period of time during which the bone is remodelling around the implant, fabrication of the replacement tooth can begin. 

Who is a candidate for dental implants?

Modern techniques have made it possible for most adults who are missing teeth to qualify as a candidate for implants.

The determining factors are a sufficient amount of quality bone, good oral hygiene and generally good health.  Prior to implant placement, the remaining teeth and gums need to be healthy. 

A full initial assessment of all  factors is critical to the success of the implant, along with conscientious oral hygiene and regular check –ups with your dentist.

What is the cost of implant treatment?

Since the individual needs of each patient are different, it is necessary to formulate a treatment plan before the actual cost of treatment can be determined.  Many factors are involved in this process, including the number of implants needed, the type of replacement teeth desired and possible procedures necessary to enhance the final aesthetic and functional results. Once a treatment plan has been  agreed, a fee estimate is determined taking these factors into consideration.

As a guide, a single straight forward implant is in the range of £1750 - £2000 for the complete treatment.

How much experience does the implant surgeon have?

Our implant surgeon is John Moorhouse BDS, DDH, MFGDP, DPDS, Dip. Implant.Dent RCS.UK.