Am I A Candidate For Dental Implants?

You may be asking yourself… Am I A Candidate For Dental Implants? Dental Implants have revolutionised the dental world because we can now replace missing teeth without modifying other natural healthy teeth. Dental Implants are metal posts, usually made from titanium which are surgically placed into the jawbone and when stabilised are strong enough to support a dental appliance such as a crown, bridge, or denture.

What is the procedure?

Surgery takes about an hour in straightforward cases and involves a small incision being made in the gum and a tiny hole being drilled into the area of the jawbone where the tooth is missing, so that the implant post can be screwed into place. The gum is then stitched together again while it heals, which can take up to 6 months, sometimes longer. Once the bone and soft tissue have fused with the dental implant in a process known as osseointegration, the dental appliance can be fitted.

As well as replacing missing teeth, a dental implant can also be used to replace a natural tooth that has been damaged beyond repair. Say, for example a person has fallen off their bike and fractured their tooth beneath the gum line so that it can’t be fixed in the usual way. In this instance we can remove the remaining root and replace it with a dental implant, whereas previously the adjacent teeth would have had to be prepared and a dental bridge fitted.

Do they work?

Dental implants in the UK have risen in popularity over the past 10 years as there has been more information available to people online and they’ve become more affordable. The success rate is over 90% and even in cases where they have failed, they can often be done again. Generally speaking, it’s the lack of sufficient bone in which to place the implants, that limits their use.

Am I a suitable candidate?

There are only a few medical conditions which limit the use of dental implants and as a matter of fact, dental implants strengthen the bone and maintain it in areas of the mouth where bone has been lost. Thinning bone or osteoporosis which is common in older patients doesn’t prevent the placing of implants nor is age a factor as we’ve placed implants in the mouth of a 19 year old as well as a patient in her 90’s.

What if I don’t have any teeth?

If all your teeth are missing then it’s even more reason to consider dental implants since they don’t move around like conventional dentures. In addition implants will maintain the bone around them and stop the ridge from flattening as it will normally do with time.

As few as 2 dental implants can be used to improve the functionality of a lower denture. These are placed beneath the denture offering support and retention and is commonly referred to as an overdenture.

If you’d like to find out more about dental implants and what they can do for you then why not book a implant consultation with Together Dental by calling us today on 0333 032 9339.