‘Life Changing!’
The benefits of dental implants from the Dental Rooms can be life changing, providing an answer to embarrassment, discomfort or inconvenience of missing teeth and loose dentures.

Dental implants are our treatment of choice for missing teeth because they look and feel like a natural tooth whilst restoring normal function and appearance.

What are dental implants?
Beginning in the 1960s researchers observed that the metal titanium, formed a very strong bond to surrounding bone, a process termed “osseointegration."

After years of careful research and study, dental implants (titanium cylinders placed into the jawbone to support replacement teeth) were refined with high success rates. There are now patients who have had implant supported teeth for more than twenty-five years.

A dental implant is a titanium screw that is carefully placed into the jawbone to act as an anchor to support one or more teeth. They can also be anchors to improve the stability and retention of loose dentures.

Why should you consider dental implants?
If you, like lots of people, have lost one or more teeth, you may be all too familiar with the unpleasant consequences. For many, missing teeth lead to an unattractive smile, embarrassment from loose dentures, and pain or difficulty with eating.

Traditional dentistry can provide replacements for missing teeth using bridges, removable partials and dentures; however, each of these has its problems. Bridgework usually involves altering natural teeth to provide a stable foundation for support of replacement teeth. Partials and dentures can, at times, be very unstable leading to denture sores or speech difficulties.

Another little known problem associated with tooth loss is a process known as "atrophy," a shrinking of the jawbone that can progress relentlessly over the years. Bone atrophy not only affects jaw function, but can cause adverse facial cosmetic changes. As a result, there may not be enough bone volume for dental implants, in which case additional treatment may be required..

Because of the remarkable advances in dentistry in recent years, dental implants offer an effective solution to many of these problems.

What does the treatment involve?
Dental implants are usually completed in two phases.

Phase 1:
This is the actual implant placement, a process generally performed in the dental practice with local anesthesia or light sedation to help make the patient more comfortable. Using precise, gentle surgical techniques, the implants are placed into the jawbone for 3 to 6 months while osseointegration (bonding to bone) takes place. This helps ensure a strong, solid foundation for replacement teeth. During this time, temporary bridges or dentures may be used to minimize any cosmetic or chewing inconvenience.

Phase 2:
This involves creating and attaching the new tooth or teeth to the anchored implant(s) in your jaw. Dental implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth or complete dentures. Your dentist can recommend the best choice for you.

What are some of the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants are an effective, safe and predictable solution to the problems resulting from missing teeth. Many patients report exciting benefits from dental implants, such as:

• Replacement teeth look, feel and function like natural teeth
• Improved taste and appetite
• Improved cosmetic appearance
• The ability to chew without pain or gum irritation
• Improved quality of life

One additional and very important benefit can be the reduction or elimination of bone atrophy or shrinkage, commonly associated with loss of teeth.

Dental implants are truly a revolution, solving an age old problem safely and predictably. Implant dentistry can change the smiles and lives of millions for years to come. Visit the Nobel biocare website for patient information.

How successful is the treatment?
Implantology is a tried and tested treatment and 90% of modern implants last for at least 10 years. They are firmly secured to bone, and as with natural teeth require thorough cleaning. If this is not carried out then you may experience problems similar to that of gum disease with infection around the implant resulting in bone loss, loosening and failure. Cleaning around implants is no more difficult than cleaning your natural teeth and we will strongly advise all patients to see the hygienist on a regular basis to maintain the healthy status of the implant and the rest of the teeth and gums.

On the rare occasion that integration does not occur and the implant is loosening, then it can be easily removed and the site allowed to heal, with placement of another implant at a later stage.