Dental implants are simple, secure and permanent solutions to replace missing teeth. They are substitutes for the lost teeth by replacing the natural roots. Indistinguishable from natural teeth, they provide reliable and comfortable alternatives to uncomfortable dentures or bridgework, or a single implant can simply replace a single missing tooth.
The implant treatments must be done correctly and with extreme care. At Royston Dental care, the implant treatments are undertaken by our highly qualified specialists, using the latest materials and equipment and supported by our committed and experienced staff. We incorporate advanced 3D imaging and computer guided planning and implant surgery.
Mr B presented at the age of 80 with loose and ill fitting dentures. The clinical concerns included denture bite, position of the teeth, smile line and poor fit. A new upper denture was constructed. Case completed by Kushal Gadhia
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that integrates perfectly into your gum tissue, just where the root of your tooth would sit. Here’s how it works:
Immediate placement is when the dental implant is placed at the same time that the tooth or teeth are removed. The advantages of this approach are a reduction in treatment time and bone preservation. Whether or not this is possible will depend on the condition of your bone at the time of extraction. If infection is present it may be necessary to defer implant placement for two to three months while new healthy bone reforms in the area.
Early placement is where the implant is placed 6-8 weeks after the tooth extraction. This is a preferred option in cases where there was infection present at the time of tooth extraction or a lack of bone, as determined from examination of the extraction socket or cone beam CT scans.
Delayed dental implant placement is insertion of the implant into a region of the mouth where the tooth or teeth have previously been removed or have been missing for some time. This process may require additional bone grafting either before or during the implant surgery.
Option 1 and 2 are preferred routes in cases where a tooth extraction is planned and helps maintain as much bone as possible.
Implant treatment may entail a combination of the above insertion types and the time required to place them will depend on the number of implants being inserted and their position in the mouth. Every effort will be made to keep the time to a minimum whilst not jeopardising the final result.
If you have lost multiple teeth, you may be wearing a denture or partial denture. This can be a real burden, causing embarrassment, discomfort and generally having a real negative impact on your quality of life. Did you know you don’t have to eat soft foods or wear dentures for the rest of your life? Implants are a viable and clinically proven alternative to missing teeth.
Full arch dental implants are indicated in patients with the following situations:
The dental implants can be used to support either a full arch fixed bridge or removable dentures. For removable dentures supported on implants, visit our page on denture stabilisation
For denture wearers, chewing and biting food will not be an easy or comfortable experience. Many also suffer the embarrassment of having their dentures fall or slip out when laughing or speaking, having a negative effect on their confidence. Did you know that you don’t have to eat soft foods or wear removable dentures for the rest of your life?
Implant dentistry offers a long-term solution to patients with multiple missing teeth that will allow them to smile, speak and eat with confidence again. Implants are small screw-shaped rods that are inserted into the jaw with a full arch denture fixed permanently on top.
When you lose your natural teeth, the jawbone and surrounding tissues start to retreat or disappear over time, altering the structure of your face and giving your mouth a sunken appearance. When implants are placed in the jaw it stimulates the remaining bone, causing it to grow and mesh around the titanium, along with the tiny blood vessels. Ultimately, this will prevent bone loss from taking place and give you a more youthful appearance in addition to a bright smile.
Contact us today at Royston Dental Care if you have any questions about replacing missing teeth.
If you have loose or ill-fitting dentures, your ability to eat and speak may become affected. Due to advances in dentistry, there is now a procedure whereby your denture can be fixed to your jaw with dental implants. This treatment, known as implant overdentures or denture stabilisation, offers patients with dentures a more permanent solution and can improve quality of life significantly. You will be able to enjoy your favourite foods again and feel comfortable smiling, safe in the knowledge that your dentures are staying put. Here is how it works:
Dental implant have success rates of 90-95% at 15 years.
However, this also means that 5-10% of implants can have problems over time.
This is associated in patients with high risk of the following conditions
Peri-implantitis is an issue which is becoming more common, simply because we see more and more patients who have been treated with dental implants over the years. vIn many respects there are similarities with periodontal (gum) disease around teeth.
The first sign of a problem may be soreness or bleeding from the gum – ‘mucositis’. Treatment at this stage may prevent progression to peri-implantitis, when progressive bone loss starts to become an issue, and can ultimately lead to catastrophic loss of the supporting bone as well as the implant or implants.
In our practice we only use the highest quality of implants and titanium or zirconium abutment connectors to connect the implant tooth to the implant ‘screw’. These are exceptionally biocompatible materials, which tend to maximise gum health. Unfortunately we see many patients every year who have been provided with low-cost treatments that have used low-cost implant components and laboratory work.
Peri-implantitis can take years to develop, progresses slowly and the fact that inappropriate materials or techniques have been used may only become evident later on. When there is substantial bone loss, this will usually lead to complete failure of the implants and restoration, making re-treatment more complicated.
We treat many patients every year who have been referred to us, with bone loss caused by implant treatments who have not been able to find treatment elsewhere.
Treating peri-implantitis can be extremely challenging. We know that meticulous hygiene will improve comfort and slow down the progression of the condition.
Treatment consists of cleaning under the gum of the implant meticulously using ultrasonics and jet-polishing and grafting with bone scaffold materials in order to replace the missing bone tissue or thicken the surrounding gum. This sort of treatment can make the area more comfortable and the peri-implant condition more quiescent, allowing for survival of the implant crown or bridgework.
Where the problem is persistent or there has been advanced bone loss, there is sometimes little alternative but to remove and replace an ailing implant, which may also mean loss of the implant restoration.
Kelly presented to us with concerns about her smile. Her failing dentition meant a failing confidence towards her friends socially. Dental implants were used to reconstruct her upper jaw with a full arch bridge. An effective dental treatment option for managing failing teeth. Now, Kelly smiles with confidence!
