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 process, it is all completed in the chair with local anaesthetic and most people would consider it on par with having a filling. 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 heal completely and be ready to take a crown.
Once the titanium implant is healed, we take impressions (moulds) to begin construction of a porcelain tooth 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.
