Dental Implants, what are they and can I have them?

If you have a missing tooth, dental implants are the next best thing to having your own teeth back. They can be placed by a dentist with the appropriate training and here at New Street Dental Care we can provide a range of Implant treatments.

X-ray of a dental implant placed

Picture of the same implant as the x-ray

Do they cost an arm and a leg?

As it is a complex procedure to undergo, therefore it is likely to be an expensive treatment that is available. However, not everyone will be suitable; sometimes there may not be enough bone to support an implant. In some cases, placing some artificial or bovine bone to help hold the implant in your jaw can rectify this.

How are they placed?

The implant is placed by putting a screw into the jawbone rather like a tooth would be sat in the jaw. This then needs to heal, and the bone can actually grow around the screw because it is made from titanium. After about 3-6 months on average, a crown is either cemented or screwed onto the top. This looks the most like a real tooth and usually only a dentist can tell it is even there. Implants can also fix a bridge or a denture so that it doesn’t rock around and can secure it. Not all dentists can offer this option, consiquently, your dentist may need to refer you to an Implant surgeon or a local dentist that can do this procedure for you.

X-rays to show the progression of implant placement

How can I tell if I can have them?

Usually if you are a smoker, you may not be suitable. Cigarettes affect the way the body heals, and as a result your body may reject the implant. If you have severe gum disease this will need to be treated first of all as you can still get gum disease around an implant. Likewise with a natural tooth if the gum disease if left untreated the implant may fall out over time. There are other options for filling the gaps of missing teeth if you can’t have an implant.

For more information on implants or if you would like to book a consultation to find out if you are suitable for an implant, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly staff at New Street Dental Care on 01264301301 or email us at info@newstreetdentalcare.co.uk