Dental Implants

What’s a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a treatment option for people who have lost or fractured a tooth or multiple teeth. It involves placing a sterile titanium screw/implant into the bone at the site of the missing tooth/teeth. Once the implant has become integrated into the bone we can then place a crown on top. The final crown is often indistinguishable from the surrounding teeth.

It is the ideal replacement option for missing teeth as it looks & feels just like any other tooth in your mouth.

What are the Benefits of a Dental Implant?

– When used in the correct situations they have a high success rate & longevity

– If a tooth or teeth are lost, bone loss will occur in that space, often causing a defect in the bone. A dental implant can help to prevent this bone loss from happening, and helps to prevent the adjacent teeth from drifting or tilting into the space.

– There is no damage to the surrounding teeth.

– Dental implants are an aesthetically pleasing option, with a natural feel and look.

Dental Implant Procedure

The majority of dental implants are placed with only local anaesthetic in a simple surgical procedure. The titanium screws are placed in the bone in a very controlled & careful manner.

Following placement of the implant we usually wait until the implant has fully integrated into the bone. (That is, until new bone forms around the implant to hold it firmly in place). This process usually takes approximately 3 months. If the implant is being placed in an aesthetic area (eg a front tooth) we will arrange for a temporary removable appliance to be worn to replace this tooth until we are able to place the final implant crown. (So you don’t have to worry about having a space there in the mean time). Once the implant has integrated we can take an impression which is similar to that taken to make a traditional crown. The final crown is then either screwed or cemented onto the implant. This final restoration can be very natural looking & most people are unable to tell the difference between the implant & a natural tooth!

Although an excellent treatment option for many, implants are not appropriate for every situation & the friendly team at Lyons Dental will happily advise if implants are the best treatment option for you. Just give the surgery a call to make an appointment