Implant
A missing tooth can impact upon a persons confidence whilst speaking and smiling. It can also have a negative effect on your chewing ability.
A dental implant is a small titanium screw thats acts as an artificial tooth root when placed in the jaw. An abutment is then placed over the implant to create an anchor for either a crown , bridge or denture. Implants also preserve healthy adjacent teeth by eliminating the need to grind them down to support a bridge. Dental implants look, feel and function just like natural teeth and enable you to eat, speak and smile with confidence!
Time-tested results:
For over 40 years, dental implants have been used successfully in millions of people worldwide as a treatment option for one or more missing teeth.
Dental Implant Treatment Procedure
A Thorough Examination
The first step to Dental Implant therapy is a discussion with your Dentist,followed by a thorough dental examination. An x ray is taken to assess the condition of your jaw and to check implant compatibility An impression is then taken and treatment plan provided with your Dentist providing a full easy to digest explanation of treatment, most importantly in a language you understand with no technical jargon!
Inserting the Dental Implant
There are two options for Dental Implant placement, depending on your own clinical situation In a one-step procedure, a Dental Implant is placed and then a temporary abutment is attached. In a two-step procedure , the Dental Implant is placed and then covered by the gum and left to heal. The abutment is attached at a later date( see below) In both cases a temporary crown is put in place, followed by a maximum healing period of three months for the lower jaw , and six months for the upper jaw. NOTE: In some cases the Dental Implant can be loaded immediately! This does depend on you having a favourable bone condition ( This will be confirmed at original assessment ).
Attaching The Abutment
In a one-step treatment, the temporary abutment is replaced by a permanent one after the Dental Implant has bonded with the bone tissue The second part of the two-step procedure involves making a minor incision to open the gum and put the abutment in place followed by a new impression.
Fitting and Re-examination
When your tailor made “life like” crown or denture is ready your dentist simply attaches it to the dental Implant This is really all there is to it!….it is virtually impossible to see the difference between the existing teeth and the new tooth.
