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Dental implants are replacements for worn, decaying, painful and missing teeth. The implant is a titanium screw that is inserted through the gum, anchoring into your jaw bone. An abutment is inserted into the implant. The abutment protrudes out of the gum and provides an attachment point for a wide range of crowns, implant bridges and overdentures. Single implants use individual crowns to replace specific teeth. Dental implant bridges and overdentures do not need an implant for each tooth being replaced. Instead these can be secured on a smaller number of implants meaning less surgery for the same result. For example a full arch of teeth can be secured on just 4 implants. This is commonly called all-on-4 dental implants.

There are many types of dental implants suited for a wide range of circumstances.

• Single tooth implant: Ideal for people who want to replace a single tooth or have a tooth missing.
• Dental implant bridge: Ideal for people who want to replace several adjacent teeth or who have a gap spanning 2 or more teeth.
• Full mouth dental implants: Ideal for people who want to replace a full set of upper and/or lower teeth. This is also called whole mouth dental implants, smile in a day, teeth jn a day, all on 4 dental implants or overdentures.

The main difference between dental implants and dentures is that implants can not be removed and are permanently fixed in your mouth. Implants have many benefits over dentures:

• Implants don’t move: This makes implants more comfortable compared to dentures. It also means you can eat what you like without restriction.
• Implants are easy to maintain: Brush your implants as you would your normal teeth. Follow the extra steps as outlined by your dentist.
• Implants don’t affect your jawline: Having teeth removed without implants can cause changes to your jawline. This can potentially make you look older.

Dental implants offer many advantages compared to dental bridges.

• Dental bridges are not as discreet as implants. As a result, people may be able to see the structure of your bridge when you smile.
• Fitting dental bridges may mean permanently altering nearby teeth. This can cause bridges to be a painful choice.
• Without an implant your gum can lean inwards potentially giving you a puckered face.
• Dental bridges can wear down quickly resulting in more treatments.

Dental implants are a great choice for most people however not everyone is suitable for this treatment. You may not be able to have dental implants if you…

• Radiotherapy in or around your jaw
• Have diabetes
• Smoke, use chewing tobacco or vape
• Drink heavily
• Take recreational drugs
• Have gum disease

Please be honest when visiting your dentist for an assessment to make sure the right treatment is recommended to you.

There are many conditions that could stop you from having dental implants these include:

• Diabetes impacts the body’s ability to heal and could impact your recovery
• Autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can affect your recovery
• Heart conditions can be triggered by anaesthesia or sedation
• Bone disorders including osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta can impact the long term success of your treatment

You need to have sufficient bone in your jaw to allow implants to securely anchor in place. If you’re lacking in bone density a bone graft can help. Bone grafts can take from to 3 – 6 months to heal before implant treatments can begin. This will be discussed at your dental consultation.

A sinus lift or maxillary sinus floor augmentation surgery is a treatment designed to increase bone density around your back teeth in your upper jaw. Prolonged tooth loss in this region can degrade your bone and cause implants to fail. A sinus lift provides a secure anchor point for dental implants.

1. The dental implant procedure starts with the removal of your teeth (if required).
2. An incision is made into your gum and the titanium implant screwed into your jawbone.
3. An abutment is screwed into the implant. This protrudes above your gumline.
4. If you’re having a single implant a crown is secured to the abutment. If you’re having an implant bridge or overdenture multiple implants and abutments will be used.
5. You will then be fitted with a temporary bridge or overdenture while your permanent replacement is made. This entire process takes less than a day.
6. Your gum is left for several months to heal.
7. Your new teeth are fitted and adjustments made.
8. Your final teeth are fitted.

The process of getting dental implants is simple.

1. Consultation: we will discuss your requirements and assess your teeth and jaw to ensure you are suitable for treatment. If gum disease or bone loss has occurred additional treatments may be required before dental implants can be fitted.
2. Surgery: Your implants, abutments and crowns/temporary bridges or overdentures will be fitted.
3. Recovery: Your gums will heal over the next few months.
4. Adjustment: Your final bridge/overdenture will be fitted and adjustments made.
5. Final fitting: Your new permanent bridge/overdenture will be fitted giving you a beautiful straight white smile.

From single tooth implants to implant bridges and full mouth dental implants, surgery takes just 1 day to give you a new set of teeth.

For bridges and overdentures this will mean wearing temporary teeth until your gums have healed. It will take several months for your gums to fully heal.

Bridges and overdentures take additional time to fully adjust and fit your final set of teeth.

It usually takes 2 weeks for patients to fully recover from dental implant surgery. The full healing process takes between 3 and 6 months.

A single tooth implant replaces a single or missing tooth with a new ceramic replacement. The implant is secured through your gum into your jaw bone. An abutment is secured into the implant providing a base for the crown to be attached. Crowns are tailored to match your natural teeth and help strengthen your jaw giving you a natural smile. The entire process takes just a few hours.

Multiple tooth implants replaces a row of teeth with a dental implant bridge. This can mean using fewer implants than the number of teeth being replaced. The implants are secured through your gum into your jaw bone. Abutments are secured into the implant providing anchor points for the bridge to be attached. The dental implant bridge is tailored to match your natural teeth with the implants helping to strengthen your jaw giving you a natural smile. The initial process takes just a few hours to fit your temporary bridge. After your gums have healed your final custom implant bridge will be fitted and adjusted before your final fitting.

Full mouth dental implants replace your entire upper and/or lower set of teeth with an overdenture. This means using fewer implants than the number of teeth being replaced. The implants are secured through your gum into your jaw bone. Abutments are secured into the implant providing anchor points for the overdenture to be attached. The overdenture is tailored to match your natural teeth with the implants helping to strengthen your jaw giving you a natural smile. The initial surgery and fitting of your temporary overdenture is completed in just 1 day. After your gums have healed your final custom overdenture will be fitted and adjusted before your final fitting.

All-on-4 dental implants uses 4 implants to secure a full arch of around 10 teeth to your upper jaw. This is the minimum amount of implants required to make upper jaw teeth replacement a success.

All-on-6 dental implants uses 6 implants to secure a full arch of around 10 teeth to your upper or lower jaw. It is used when more anchor points are required to make dental implant surgery successful.

Smile in a day is the name given to full mouth dental implants surgery. At the end of your procedure, you will have a temporary set of dental implants secured to your jaw. This allows your gums and jaw to fully heal before your final implant arch can be fitted.

Teeth in a Day™ is the name given to whole mouth dental implants surgery. At the end of your procedure, you will have a temporary set of dental implants secured to your jaw. This allows your gums and jaw to fully heal before your final implant arch can be fitted.

Implant supported bridges replaces a row of teeth with a dental implant bridge. This can mean using fewer implants than the number of teeth being replaced. At the end of your procedure, you will have a temporary implant bridge secured to your jaw. This allows your gums and jaw to fully heal before your final implant bridge can be fitted.