At The Priory Dental, Harborne, we never underestimate the emotional impact of losing teeth. Whether you've lost a single tooth or several, your confidence can take a real knock and the effects can be devastating. Using advanced dental implant technology, we can replace missing teeth, rejuvenate and enhance the aesthetics of your smile, and prevent bone deterioration. Dental implants provide a long-lasting solution to missing teeth and they feel and work just like a real tooth.
A dental implant is a small screw made from surgical grade titanium that replaces the root portion of a missing tooth. It can be placed in either the upper or lower jaw, which in time will fuse to your jawbone. Following this phase, a tooth crown is attached to your implant, depending on your requirements.
For those missing one tooth, a crown will be created to perfectly match your existing teeth, which is then fixed to the dental implant. If you have multiple missing teeth, a dental Bridge can be integrated with two dental implants. Alternatively, if you are missing all your teeth a full denture can be can be designed using four or six dental implants - you don’t need one implant for every missing tooth you have.
Dental implants can be used to support individual teeth (single dental Implant), several teeth in the form of a dental bridge (multiple dental implants), all your teeth, or they can be used to stabilise dentures (denture stabilisation).
The loss of one or more teeth can really affect your confidence as well as your ability to eat comfortably and speak normally.
A missing front tooth has a dramatic effect on your appearance, whilst missing one or two of the back teeth can lead to problems with chewing and normal function. Where missing teeth were traditionally replaced using partial dentures or bridgework, both these methods generally have a negative effect on the adjacent teeth and gums. One of the many advantages of a dental implant is that it does not rely on the adjacent teeth for support, it is an entirely stand-alone option.
Further benefits of one or more dental implants include how they are long-lasting, reliable, and therefore a very cost-effective solution for missing teeth.
At The Priory Dental, Harborne, we pride ourselves in offering a standard of implant care second to none.
The very best materials and latest technologies will always be available to you during your treatment. We will never compromise your care. Rest assured you are in safe hands.
If you are worried you may be about to lose all or some of your teeth, please come in and talk to us as acting quickly can often slow deterioration, and in some cases save teeth. We generally find that things are often not as bad as you think and we are always happy to discuss the range of dental implant solutions so you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
The cost will be dependent on your circumstances. We will provide you with a full and detailed estimate for any proposed treatments. At The Priory Dental, Harborne, there are no hidden costs. Whatever you require for successful surgery will be provided for you. If a bone graft is required we will include it within your treatment estimate.
Dental implant treatment is a two-step process, step one to place the implant and step two to add the replacement tooth that attaches to this. Each step takes a few hours but there is a an interval in between to allow for natural healing.
Once implants have been placed, they can be used as supports for an individual tooth or multiple teeth. They can also be used to fix a denture in place with small stud like fastenings. Their use depends entirely upon your needs. Few problems cannot be fixed, but each case is assessed and carefully planned on its own merits. Our experienced surgeons will help guide you through the process, discussing advantages and disadvantages for every treatment.
Dental implants have very few restrictions and age is no barrier. It is true that it is best not to delay too long after teeth have been removed as there is a natural process of bone shrinkage following tooth removal. This can make it more difficult to place an implant, but that is not a barrier to implant placement. If you have a gap or dentures, an implant or implants could be a very good choice for you.
We will arrange a CT scan for you in the early planning stages which will indicate precisely how much bone is available. If we find you lack bone then we will carry out bone grafting procedures at the same time or before implant placement.
Gums and bone are the foundation for implant treatment. Ensuring these are healthy prior to your implant placement is important for your treatment to be successful. Smokers have a high risk of implants failing and therefore implant treatment is not recommended for those that are actively smoking.
