Dental implants
Dental implant treatment can change your life. Whether you’re replacing a single tooth, or a complete smile, dental implants offer secure teeth that feel just like your own, restoring both your smile and your quality of life.
Not only can implants recreate natural-looking teeth, but they also safeguard your overall dental health. Replacing missing teeth is extremely important, as missing teeth cause bone loss which will age your face and could potentially cause adjacent teeth to become loose too.
At Blossomfield Dental Care we can assist with all implant cases, from the simplest to the most complex. Our patients have the peace of mind that they can access progressive technology and benefit from a wealth of experience from our implant dentist, Marek Skalka.https://www.blossomfielddental.co.uk/about-us/our-team/marek-skalka-clinical-director
What is a dental implant?
Putting it simply, a dental implant is an artificial root made from titanium which is used to take the place of the original root, securely bonding with the jawbone over time. Once the new root has fully healed, which usually takes between 3 to 6 months, this is used to attach replacement teeth in place using crowns, a bridge or a denture. These replacement teeth are carefully crafted to ensure they match your natural teeth, leaving you with a beautiful, natural looking smile.
Types of implants
· Single implant – implants can be used to replaces a single tooth, restoring your smile with a single implant and crown.
· Multiple implants – if you have a gap from a few missing teeth, dental implants can be placed to securely fix a dental bridge in place.
· Full smile restorations – If you are missing a full arch of teeth, 4 to 8 implants can be placed to securely attach a denture. Anchoring dentures on dental implants ensure that they do not slip and are comfortable.
Why choose dental implants?
Crowns, bridges and dentures address the short-term cosmetic problem of missing teeth but do nothing to stop bone loss. Crown and bridge dentistry also requires grinding down healthy teeth leaving them at much greater risk for cavities and tooth failure. Dentures become uncomfortable and unstable over time as the jawbone shrinks causing eating and speech problems.
With dental implants, replacement teeth are securely anchored without compromising any neighbouring healthy teeth. Dental implants, like natural teeth, stimulate the jaw and stop bone loss.
The benefits of implants
· Implants look and feel just like natural teeth – you shouldn’t notice any difference.
· Implants provide permanent stability and comfort without affecting healthy teeth.
· Implants won’t come loose or fall out.
· Implants can last for many years if you maintain good oral hygiene.
· Implants prevent ageing bone loss, by stimulating your bone structure and stabilising the surrounding teeth.
Are you suitable for treatment?
Patients must have healthy gums and enough jawbone to support dental implants. At your initial consultation Marek Skalka https://www.blossomfielddental.co.uk/about-us/our-team/marek-skalka-clinical-directorwill use x-rays and scans to establish if pre-treatment is required and will explain this further. Some patients may need to see a hygienist for a course of treatment to ensure their gums are strong and healthy before the dental implant process can begin. Marek will also check that there is sufficient bone for an implant to be placed successfully at this initial consultation. If there is insufficient bone you may need to need pre-treatment before your dental implants can be placed. This may include oral surgery procedures such as bone grafting, bone expansion or sinus lifts.
Dental implant smile journey
The key to successful dental implant treatment is in the planning stages. At your initial appointment our implant dentist, Marek Skalka,https://www.blossomfielddental.co.uk/about-us/our-team/marek-skalka-clinical-director will assess your oral health, discuss your case and consider all of the implant treatment options available to you before issuing a treatment plan. Dental implant treatment will typically take between 3 to 6 months to complete and include the following steps at Blossomfield Dental Care:
1. Consultation – Marek will start by listening to your requirements and address your questions as well as recommending which options will best suit you. During this appointment Marek will also conduct an assessment of your mouth, gums and bone structure using xrays and scans. This will assess the bone support for a dental implant as sometimes it is necessary to carry out a bone graft or sinus lift to ensure we have the appropriate foundation into which we can securely place the implants.
2. Pre-treatment – Patients must have healthy gums and enough jawbone to support dental implants. At your initial consultation Marek will use x-rays and scans to establish if pre-treatment is required and will explain this further. Some patients may need to see a hygienist for a course of treatment to ensure their gums are strong and healthy before the dental implant process can begin.
Marek will also check that there is sufficient bone for an implant to be placed successfully at this initial consultation. If there is insufficient bone you may need to need pre-treatment before your dental implants can be placed. This may include oral surgery procedures such as bone grafting, bone expansion or sinus lifts. You may have to wait several months for this to heal prior to starting your dental implant journey.
3. Implant placement – Once you are dentally fit and have healthy bone structure, you are ready for your implant placement. The process and length of appointment will vary depending on your individual requirements and complexity. Marek will advise in advance what to expect throughout this appointment. You will be given a local anaesthetic to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the process.
4. Healing and integration – The titanium post (dental implant) needs to be left for a short time for the bone and gum to heal around it before it can be used to support a new tooth. Once that happens, the titanium becomes one with the bone around it… a key stage is known as biological integration.
This stage can take between 3 and 6 months. Once the implant has integrated with the bone, it provides a strong and stable platform for the new crown, bridge or denture.
5. Restoring – Once your implant integrates with the bone, we are then able to restore the implant with replacement teeth. This stage is carried out over 2 appointments. At the first appointment we will take scans/impressions of the position of the implants in relation to your other teeth and structures, so that the crown/bridge/denture can be carefully crafted to best blend with your natural smile.
At the second appointment Marek will then securely fix your crown, bridge or denture to the dental implant. Most teeth attached to implants are fixed permanently and can only be removed by your dentist. However, if you have removable dentures attached to the implants, then you’ll be able to take them out for cleaning. In all cases, your dentist will ensure that your replacement teeth fit properly, match your other teeth and feel comfortable. Once in place, they will look, feel and function as a natural tooth.
6. Aftercare – Implants are an excellent option and investment in your health. With the right aftercare, they can last for a lifetime.
For such a long-term success, taking care of your implant is important. As with natural teeth, implants require the same regular check-ups and conscientious oral hygiene. Once you follow these guidelines, your implants can be maintained for decades.
Book a FREE 30 minute consultation with Marek today to find out more about how dental implants could change your life!
Our aim as a dental team is to provide all of our patients with excellent dental care in a relaxing environment. Clinical excellence is a priority for each of our dentists. We offer a high standard of patient support from our friendly and professional staff. We want all of our patients to have a memorable visit for all the right reasons.
