Dental implants are prosthetic roots to replace damaged tooth structures. Fixing dental implants involves a surgical procedure to place metal fillings, tiny screws, and artificial teeth into the cavity.
The implants are placed directly into the jawbone and hold the artificial tooth in place. The procedure is done in multiple sittings and typically consists of removing the damaged or broken tooth, placing the implant, regrowing the bone, and fixing the crowns.
The entire process takes 4-5 months and depends on the patient’s bone characteristics.
Dental implants help avoid slippage and maintenance problems of dentures and bridgework. Since the metal of the implants fuses into the jawbone, the abutments and crowns have a firm base. They will not slip while eating or talking or cause any stress on the jawbone and surrounding gums.
You have damaged teeth that cannot be fixed with fillings or caps.
Your teeth are weak and cannot hold mechanical tools like alignment supports.
You do not want to wear dentures.
You want to improve your cheek structure and speech caused by loose dentures or bridges.
Because the surgery is a delicate procedure and relies on the jawbone’s healing strength for success, there are some bone-related prerequisites.
Your jawbone should have reached its full growth. Hence, it might be a viable option for young children.
Your jawbone is stable enough to receive the implant.
Alternately, if there is extensive damage to the bone, some patients could require a grafting procedure.
You have healthy oral tissue that can self-heal within a few months.
You don’t chew or smoke tobacco which can seriously damage the integrity of the gums and bone.
The benefits of tooth implants are recognized by the millions of patients who undergo the procedure each year. The procedure is permanent and ideal for those uncomfortable with removable dentures. It prevents further damage or decay to the jawbone due to the constant movement of removable crowns.
The structural strength from the implants to the jawbone can drastically improve the appearance of sunken cheeks and lessen eating restrictions. It is an ideal long-term solution for securing artificial teeth and preventing any complications.
The number of sittings and the length of the total treatment is subjective. Each patient responds differently to the implants. Your dental technician and implant specialist may want to perform some additional pre-surgery procedures to prime the bone for implantation.
Broadly, you would have to take a full oral examination and consultation with your dentist. This includes 3D imaging, bite tests, and bone integrity tests.
You would also have to disclose any conditions or habits that could derail your progress. These could be heart or lung-related diseases, family history of diabetes, bone and immunity defects, etc.
You will receive a treatment plan based on all these factors. Your doctors will present a timeline that minimizes the risk to your health and maximizes the longevity of the implants.
Typically, the multiple stages involved are as follows:
Because of the length and complexity of the entire process, you should expect to pay a hefty sum for it. Unless your dentist recommends placing dental implants for a life-saving procedure, it is not usually covered by the NHS.
However, the most important factor in favor of dental implants is that they are meant to be permanent. Once the implant has been fixed, you need not go in for recurring check-ups.
On average, a single implant in the UK could cost up to 2500 pounds. However, your dentist will give you an overview of the costs in your initial consultation based on the following variables:
Number of implants needed
Type of materials used for the implant – platinum is the most commonly used metal.
Additional surgeries required like bone grafting or rot-removal.
Type of crown used – each crown needs to be hand-crafted to fit the shape and size of your jaw.
Post-treatment complications, if any.
Important tips to remember
Tooth implant surgery has a very high success rate. We see a success rate higher than 95% in our patients. However, the patient has to take utmost care during the few months of the procedure. Follow the eating and dietary restrictions prescribed by the doctor to the T. Any undue stress on the sensitive area during the healing stage can reduce the efficacy of the implants.
In most cases, the surgery is done under local anesthesia. However, if there are multiple complications and potential risks, your doctor might opt to put the patient under general anesthesia.
If the dentist chooses to perform a bone grafting operation before the surgery, the timeline of the procedure can increase by 4-6 months.
Stay in touch with your dental experts throughout the procedure to ensure the best outcomes of the implantation.
You can book a free consultation with your dental implant experts to get a detailed analysis of your oral health. At Natural Smiles, we exclusively use Ankylos dental implants. This technology has been perfected for over 20 years to provide the most comfortable, stable, and long-term dental solutions for our patients.
We also offer a wide selection of bridges and artificial crowns to choose from. You can rest assured that your oral health and cosmetic requirements are best served by our experienced professionals.
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