Dental Implants
Dental Implants are artificial replacements for your tooth’s root that are placed within the bone of your jaw to help support dentures, crowns (caps) or bridges. Implants should provide you with a long-lasting tooth replacement if they are cared for in the same way that teeth should be cared for.
Why it is important to replace missing teeth:
What options do I have to replace missing teeth?
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the benefits – why should I have dental implants?
Dental implants can be very useful where we would otherwise have to further damage healthy teeth in order to provide a fixed, non-removable option such as a bridge, or when a removable option such as a denture does not sufficiently satisfy the chewing and comfort functions of an individual.
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What happens during the placement of a dental implant?
Treatment is normally divided into two stages (surgery & restorative), each of which may involve several visits over a rough time period of 4-6 months from the first stage.
During the Surgery stage, the dental implant is placed into the jaw bone and left to integrate with the bone for a period of 3-6 months.
During the Restorative stage, scans or impressions of the mouth are taken to construct a new restoration which will seat onto the implant. This may be a denture, crown or bridge.
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How can I help reduce my risk of implant failure?
Even in healthy individuals it has been shown that alcohol and tobacco consumption can reduce the rate of success.
Regular maintenance is essential in preventing deterioration of bone around the implant. Regular appointments with your dentist and dental hygiene therapist are important.
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What are the Alternatives to Dental Implants?
Dental implants are an elective treatment, and it is important to consider alternative options as well. These include:
Accepting the missing tooth/ teeth.
Dentures
Bridges