Implants
Missing teeth can lower your inner confidence, make you less willing to smile and also have an impact on your speech and ability to eat. Furthermore, your other teeth can over time move slightly to fill the gap, leaving you with crooked teeth, and plaque can build up in the gaps where your toothbrush cannot reach leading to decay. Therefore it is very important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible!
At Dentist@W2 we will always try to preserve your teeth and, where necessary, repair or restore them using white fillings, root fillings, crowns or veneers. However, if teeth are lost through severe decay or an accident, we are highly experienced in fitting dental implants to provide you with a secure, permanent solution to missing teeth. Modern implants can replace your own teeth visually and functionally.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are posts made from titanium that are placed into your jawbone. To these metal posts, a crown is fitted that is perfectly color matched to your surrounding teeth so that it will appear as though it is a natural tooth. It will fit securely and comfortably and it will be easy for you to forget that it is not your own tooth.
How do dental implants work?
Under local anesthetic, your implantologist (a dentist who is specifically qualified and trained to perform this procedure) will install the dental implant by securing it to your jawbone through your gum. The local anesthetic will ensure that you do not feel any discomfort, and any mild pain you may feel afterwards can be easily remedied with over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen.
Your gum will need time to heal before a bespoke crown can be fitted, though it may be possible to fit a temporary crown over the implant whilst you heal and your implant becomes firmly embedded.
As soon as you are ready for your permanent crown, your dentist will take an impression of your mouth so that a custom-made crown can be created.
Will dental implants work for me?
Dental implants can be used to replace single teeth or several teeth. Your dentist will need to examine your mouth and bone structure to decide whether or not dental implants will be suitable for you. They will discuss all available options with you so that you can make an informed decision about the best treatment to choose.
How long do dental implants take?
You may need several appointments during the course of your treatment. At the first, you will be assessed to see whether dental implants will be a viable option, and if so you may be fitted with the dental implant. It can then take several weeks for you to heal and for the dental implants to become firmly embedded in your jaw. After this, you will need a further appointment to take an impression of your mouth so that a crown can be made for you. At your final appointment, your crown will be fitted and you will have a secure, natural-looking new tooth.
Contact us to discuss dental implants
If you are missing teeth, or need teeth to be extracted and are interested in learning more about dental implants, please call us or use our contact form for a free initial consultation. We are currently welcoming new patients.