Teeth can be lost for a number of reasons including decay, trauma, infection or gum disease, and this loss can result in a whole host of problems. Gaps in our smile can make us feel self-conscious, especially if the missing tooth is one of your front teeth. With dental implants, we can replace missing teeth with the next best thing.
At VS Dental Care Centre, we can place implants to restore single teeth, multiple teeth next to each other and also a full arch for patients needing to replace all their teeth along the top and/or bottom. Have dentures? We can use implants to provide a more secure foundation for your false teeth.
What are implants?
Dental implants offer one of the most effective and long lasting ways to replace one or more missing teeth, providing a fixed alternative to removable dentures. Implants can improve how you eat and speak, prevent shrinkage of the jawbone, and keep existing teeth firmly in place.
Implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed in the jawbone to act just like tooth roots. As titanium is a durable metal that is very well tolerated by the body, these cylindrical posts eventually fuse with the bone, providing a firm foundation for a crown or bridge.
Implants for a single tooth
If you’ve had a tooth extracted or have had a tooth knocked out, we can use a single implant to replace that tooth. The implant goes exactly where the tooth root used to be. We then place a crown on the implant, using impressions of your mouth to create a life-like restoration that fits perfectly in place.
Implants for multiple teeth
If you have more than one missing tooth in a row, we can use implants and bridges to replace them. An implant can support more than one false tooth.
Implant-retained dentures
Implant-retained dentures are a great option which reaps the benefits of both implants and dentures. You will be able to replace more teeth with the security of an implant foundation holding the denture in place where possible.
Implants for a full arch
We are able to restore a full mouth with implants and a full arch restoration. Using impressions of your mouth and further scans, we can have a set of functional teeth created, which can then fit onto implants placed strategically in the jaw.
Why have dental implants?
- Unlike ill-fitting dentures, which can have a tendency to move around uncomfortably in your mouth, implants stay firmly in place.
- Implants help protect the jawbone by keeping it stimulated and they prevent existing teeth from moving around.
- They eliminate the speaking and chewing problems that may be caused by missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures.
- They can provide a significant boost to your confidence by restoring your smile.
What does having an implant fitted involve?
Implant treatment takes place over several appointments with intervals between to help you heal and help the implant properly fuse.
The first appointment involves a consultation where we discuss your wishes and expectations whilst also having a thorough check up and taking x-rays. Following this, we will send you for a Cone Beam CT Scan to get a very clear idea of your facial structure. Once we have assessed your jaw density, we can decide if any bone grafting is necessary. If you have enough bone density, we will arrange a time for the surgery.
The titanium implants are placed in the bone under a local anaesthetic using a relatively simple surgical procedure. Titanium is very well tolerated by the body, so over a few months the implants will bond with the bone – a process known as osseo-integration.
Once settled in and fully healed, we expose the top of the implant and fit an abutment. We then give your gum time to heal before taking impressions. Using these impressions, we create the replacement teeth to the now firmly positioned implants.
Aftercare
You need to maintain good oral hygiene following treatment to ensure your implants remain trouble-free. If well looked after, with a regular brushing and flossing routine, they can last many years. You should also attend regular check-ups so your dentist can make sure your implants stay in great condition.
Restoring the implants
At VS Dental Care Centre, we have a dentist with a special interest in restorative dentistry. The dentist will be able to successfully restore and maintain your implant.