The first phase of your treatment will be implant placement. Our implant surgeon will apply a local anaesthetic and implant a titanium post into the jaw bone in the location of the missing tooth.
This procedure is quick, lasting between one and two hours and relatively painless due to the local anaesthetic. You may experience a small amount of discomfort following the placement of the implant but this will subside and healing will occur relatively quickly.
Integration occurs when the implant has integrated with the bone. This is usually expected to occur within 8-12 weeks. In a very small amount of cases, this integration may take up to a year.
Once the implant has integrated with the bone, it will provide a strong and stable platform for the new crown or bridge.
Once your implant integrates with the bone, we are then able to restore the implant.
After taking molds of the position of the implants, the final ‘teeth’ can be individually designed, made and cemented or screwed into the implant. Once in place, they will look, feel and function as a natural tooth.
A single dental implant is used if you have a single missing tooth. Dental implants have become first choice for many patients who have a missing tooth at the front of their mouth. The dental implant crown should function and feel just like your own tooth.
Multiple implants are used if you have more than one tooth missing. This can lead to a large gap in your mouth resulting in difficulty eating, speaking and affecting the appearance of your smile. Multiple dental implants can be placed to restore the gap. This can be as a combination of single implants and cosmetic crowns or a cosmetic bridge connecting implants together. The number of dental implants required depends on a number of factors and a consultation is advisable in order to determine this.
At Sherwood Dental Practice, we use a range of implant systems, each with a proven track record in the implantology field.
For routine cases, from the time of implant insertion to the time of placing the first tooth, treatment times can vary between 6 weeks and 6 months. Good solid bone will reduce treatment time, whilst more time and care must be taken with poor bone, which can therefore extend treatment times.
If looked after correctly, dental implants will last for many decades.
There isn’t a standard answer to how much implants will cost because the work required is tailored to your needs. Prices vary depending on how many implants you need and whether you need any treatment prior to placement (such as a bone graft).We understand that the price of dental implants can be daunting. For this reason we have a number of payment options available.
For most dental implant-supported teeth you will be able to clean around each supporting dental implant by brushing and flossing in just the same way that you would around your own teeth. In some areas we recommend flossing, inter dental toothbrushes and other cleaning aids to maintain excellent oral hygiene.
For the first few months after the dental implants are placed, your dentist may ask to see you more frequently. However, once your dentist is satisfied your treatment is performing as planned, ongoing care will be similar to patients with natural teeth.
The most important visit is the initial consultation where we will go through a series of questions regarding your previous dental and medical histories. This will help to determine if dental implants are the best option for you.
If you are in good general health, dental implants are likely to be a suitable option for the replacement of your missing teeth. However, habits such as heavy drinking and smoking can compromise the initial healing time and have a detrimental effect on the long-term health of gum and bone surrounding each implant.
Sherwood Dental Practice
633 - 635 Shirley Road
Hall Green
Birmingham
B28 9JU
0121 777 4455