Dental Implants Patient Information
Imagine a world without, smiles yet we all take a healthy smile for granted until it is lost. A happy smile tells the world how we are feeling. It can be a welcoming greeting and expresses affection to those closest to us. This is why when a smile is lost either through trauma or disease it is a really debilitating condition affecting not only the way in which we interact with others but also our diet and general health. A lifetime without being able to smile can be demoralizing affecting the way we interact socially lowering self esteem and confidence. What is a dental Implant? As the name suggests it is implanted into the jaw acting like a root, and the replacement teeth are later fastened to it. Dental Implants feel and function just like natural teeth on biting. The dental implant is a small, slightly tapered screw designed to copy the shape of a natural tooth root. This shape makes the implant easier to insert as it almost matches the size and shape of the original tooth root it is replacing. It is made from Titanium Alloy, a biologically safe material which the body accepts as its own, so there need be no fear of rejection due to an allergic reaction. How can Implants help you? We can use dental implants to replace a single missing tooth, right up to the restoration of a full dental arch. The number and position of implants needed varies and is dependent on a number of factors. We will discuss whether you need help with a denture, or would like a non-removable solution to your dental problem. A careful assessment is made before any treatment begins and we will discuss fully your treatment options before starting treatment. We will also advise of your alternative treatment options to help you make an informed decision. Please note, additional procedures are sometimes needed to allow implant placement and we will discuss these too, if relevant.
What is involved? The first step is an examination and consultation to determine whether you are a candidate for dental implant treatment. This involves examination of x- rays and may include taking impressions for models of your teeth and for fabrication of a surgical guide. If you have lost a significant amount of bone, additional x-rays or a tomogram may also be recommended. During the examination, we will evaluate the areas of your mouth where teeth are missing, including the amount of bone available to support the placement of implants. We will also be evaluating the type of replacement teeth that will best meet your needs. If we feel that insufficient bone is present to place the implants into, we may need to carry out grafting procedures in advance of implant placement. We would explain what this would entail for each case. If bone grafting is necessary, implant placement would be delayed for 6 months. Implant Placement Procedure The implants are placed in the jaw bone during a surgical procedure. You may have additional procedures to increase the bone available to retain the implant at time of placement. Following implant placement the implants may be left undisturbed for a period of 6 to 16 weeks so that the bone can bond with the implants. In the meantime you will have temporary replacement teeth, if you require, provided by your own dentist or by us, so that you do not go without teeth for that period of time. Occasionally in ideal situations the extraction, implant placement, and fabrication of the replacement tooth can be done in one day. Fabrication of Replacement Teeth Commonly we are able to fabricate your replacement tooth (the implant crown) in a single visit. We scan your mouth and mill the custom implant crown in our milling machine. This will be fitted a few hours later. Occasionally additional procedures are required that may need us to involve a conventional dental laboratory.
Is the procedure painful? The first and most frequently asked question. It is surprising how little pain is felt after the procedure. Often only minor discomfort similar to that of a simple dental extraction is experienced. How successful are implants? The success rate of implants has been reported in clinical trials as high as 98.2% and 94.4% if bone regeneration is needed. What reduces implant success? Smoking and drinking excess alcohol adversely affects implant success both in the short and long term. A history of gum disease must be given careful consideration as implants can suffer from a condition similar to gum disease. Can anyone have implants? Yes, believe it or not, anyone regardless of age can benefit. If you are healthy enough for simple extractions then there is a good chance you may be able to have implants. What about implant maintenance? Implants require maintenance in the same way as natural teeth do. It is important you brush and floss just like you do around your natural teeth. Prevention of gum disease around your implants is of vital importance. Seeing your hygienist will help with this. Properly cared for, your implants should last for many years, if not a lifetime. The part that is supported by the implant - the crown, bridge or denture - may well need replacement in the same way as a conventional one. Dentures tend to need more maintenance than single crowns, but this is usually simply achieved. How long does treatment take? This varies from case to case, but the latest implant surfaces are reducing the healing time. It is now possible, with a simple ideal case, for the implant to be placed and restored in one visit. Commonly the extraction to finished tooth is around 3 months. If bone grafting is needed, the treatment will take longer, as will more complex cases. Why are implants so expensive? There is no denying implants are expensive. The cost is high due to the component costs, the training needed and the time involved. You must also balance the cost of alternative treatments.
Bone Grafting Procedures After careful assessment of your bone, using x- rays and possibly CT scans, we may find that there is insufficient bone to place the implants. All is not lost. We have a number of procedures which can increase the bone volume. Guided Bone Regeneration - The simplest method of increasing the bone volume is usually performed at time of implant placement. We use materials derived from animal products. These have been rendered safe by chemical and thermal processes. They are used to locally provide a framework for your own bone to grow into. Nonanimal products are available as an alternative. These materials are used to improve final aesthetics and implant stability if there is a small deficiency in bone at the implant site. Sinus augmentation - In the upper jaw above the back teeth, it is possible to increase the height of bone available by creating new bone in the sinus. This procedure is called a sinus augmentation. It is possible to deliver very predictable results in this location which often has had teeth missing for a long time. Computer Guided Surgery - We are living in exciting times for dentistry. Computer guided surgery allows us to plan your implant on a 3D computer model, print a guided surgical stent that allows accurate positioning of your implant. Commonalty there is no cutting involved at the time of surgery and your implant can be place with minimal trauma resulting in little to no pain postoperatively. Onlay grafting - If there is a severe lack of width or height of bone in a specific site, we may be able to obtain bone from another site in your mouth, most commonly around where your lower wisdom teeth area or below your lower front teeth. We then attach the harvested bone to the deficient site. This bone is then left for 6 months before implants can be placed. You will, unfortunately, have two surgical sites initially. I am nervous, can I be sedated? Although the procedure for implant placement is painless, often patents are nervous of the prospect. Some procedures, such as bone grafting and multiple implant placements, are more timeconsuming and you may wish to be relaxed. We can provide the treatment under conscious sedation. This involves the use of a drug called Midazolam, injected through a small tube into a vein in your hand or arm. You will remain awake throughout the procedure, but will be relaxed. Another action of the drug is that you will probably forget the procedure afterwards. We will monitor you throughout the procedure. You will need someone responsible to come with you, stay at the practice during the procedure and accompany you home afterwards. What next? Please contact the practice to arrange an initial consultation. Your smile is priceless.
Implant Pricing Implant Price-list Planning Phase Initial Consultation and treatment plan 100 Pre-Implant Procedures It can be really confusing to work out what an implant will cost you. Here at the Half Moon Dental Centre, we will help you through the process so that you can choose the right option for you. We have a choice of implant systems and with varying price points. Implant Constituents There are usually three parts to an implant. Tooth removal 110 Implant Procedures Implant Placement Procedure 1250 for the first implant then 1000 per additional implant Optional procedures that may be required Guided bone regeneration 390 Sinus Graft 2500 Soft Tissue graft 320 The implant itself - which is made of titanium. You normally will not see this part. The abutment - which connects the implant to the restoration - crown, bridge or denture. This can be made of titanium, gold or zirconia. These can be custom-made for a specific site. Restoring the implant Crown/bridge unit 950 ( 875 multiple units) supplement for single anterior tooth 250 Denture abutment 500 A written quotation will be provided. The restoration - the part you see. This is usually a crown or bridge or denture. We commonly fuse the abutment and restoration to make a screw retained crown.
Where are we? 1-3 Half Moon Lane Herne Hill London SE24 9JU Further Information: www.halfmoondental.com www.megagen.co.uk www.geistlich.co.uk www.iti.org The Next Step Please arrange a consultation: 020 7733 0011 info@halfmoondental.com