What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is the latest technology in dentistry and the the best way to replace a missing tooth! It is a combination of a titanium implant which is inserted into the bone where the tooth used to be and a crown which is made from porcelain to closely match the surrounding teeth.

Implants have revolutionised modern dentistry by giving us an option to replace lost teeth, in a way that very closely replicates a natural tooth. Implants are a two step process , initially we should assess a space where a tooth is missing to make sure there is enough bone and for various other factors. Then we team up with leading oral surgeons and periodontists who place a titanium implant into the bone in that area, this is left to heal and at this point does not rise above the gum height. 

The placement of the implant although it may sound daunting is quite a controlled and comfortable procedure, it is all completed in the chair with local anaesthetic.

Once the implant is placed you may have some tenderness in the area for a few days while the implant heals. It takes 6-8 weeks usually for an implant to fully integrate with the bone.

During the healing process we can construct a temporary tooth to be put in the space in a number of ways. This is especially helpful if the missing tooth is in a highly aesthetic area.

Once the healing process is complete the surgeon will test the titanium implant to confirm it is healed and fully integrated with the bone. Then we take impressions (moulds) to begin construction of a porcelain tooth (crown) to sit upon the titanium implant in the bone. Once constructed we connect the two together in your mouth, restoring your smile with a tooth that is virtually indistinguishable from a natural tooth and also restoring your bite.

Implants have a very high success rate in patients who don’t smoke and who don’t suffer from diabetes. They are essentially a one to one replacement for your lost tooth.

Implants are preferable to replacing a lost tooth with a bridge, as they do not rely on the adjacent teeth to support them, they are free standing and very much like a natural tooth. Also a bridge would require the reduction of otherwise healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth, which is best avoided if possible.

Implants are also preferable to replacing a lost tooth with a denture, as they do not have any of the bulkiness or speech impacts that come along with wearing a denture.