Dental Implants

This is the most recent method of replacing missing teeth and it is the closest thing you can get to ones own natural teeth. Unlike many other dental restorations, an implant is an independent unit and does not depend on any of your other teeth for support. Implants are a very predictable (95-98% success rate) method of replacing missing teeth and they have an excellent long term prognosis. They will improve both function and appearance and restore you confidence for life.

Unfortunately the placement depends on the quality and quantity of the bone in the area of placement. The specialist will take x-rays and examine the area to determine whether it can be done. In certain cases he may need to place new bone in the area (bone augmentation) before the implant can be placed. It is possible in some cases to place the Implant immediately after extracting the defective tooth. In other instances we may need to wait a couple of months before placing the implant thus allowing enough time for the bone to heal.

After the Titanium Implant screw has been inserted into the jaw we will normally wait a few months for Osteointegration to occur. This is the process whereby the bone “fuses” to the implant. Once this has happened we can screw a crown (cap) onto the top of the Implant. The time taken to complete an Implant therefore ranges from a couple of months to as long as six months. Implants allow us to restore your mouth back to its original state thus giving you a second chance. They can be an alone standing unit or as part of an Implant bridge.