A dental implant is a small cylindrical screw-shaped replacement for a natural tooth root - usually made from titanium.

This is a fixed permanent replacement for a natural tooth.

Implants are the closest possible replacement for your teeth. They look natural, are fixed and permanent, and allow you to chew in the same way as you used to with your real teeth.

At the initial consultation all possible options will be discussed for the treatment of your missing tooth or teeth, such as bridge work (an artificial tooth or teeth that are attached to adjacent sound teeth) or a partial removable plate or denture. Or finally you may wish to have an implant.

If the decision has been made that an implant is sought, then an assessment will be carried out to see whether an implant is possible in your case.

There is a sequence of steps which are required:-

1. Assessment and planning. The dental surgeon will assess the feasibility of providing implant treatment for the area which concerns you. X-rays will be taken and if necessary CT scans to assess the quality and amount of your bone. Arrangements may be necessary to increase or augment your bone if it is deficient.
   
   Preliminary moulds will be taken to illustrate the forces on your teeth in use. Your gums and soft tissue will be examined and assessed for the proposed treatment. The sequence of procedures you require will be outlined together with the associated costs.
   
   If you wish you may want to speak to previous patients that have already had implant work and we would be delighted to put you in touch with them.
   
   
2. Implant placement. This is a carefully planned surgical procedure carried out under sterile conditions. This operation has an extremely high success rate in skilled and experienced hands.
   
   
3. Healing. Although some implants can be put into immediate use soon after surgery it is usually advisable to allow a period of time to insure that surrounding bone has completely healed around the implant.
   
   We will, of course, ensure that your appearance is maintained whilst this is occurring.
   
   
4. Restoration. Once your implant has healed within the bone a new tooth can be fixed to it.
   
   The replacement teeth are constructed by a specialist dental laboratory working closely with the dental surgeon.
   
   
5. Maintenance. Following completion of the implant treatment patients should clean regularly and thoroughly around the gum margins of all their teeth and implants and should attend their dentist regularly so that the health of the gum and bone and the integrity of the restorations can be checked and monitored.

Does it hurt?
No, we always make every effort to insure complete analgesia both during and after surgery.

We will give you comprehensive pre and postoperative instructions to minimise any side effects. For example most patients report that they would have been happy to return to work 48 hours after surgery.

Are there any medical contra-indications?
A careful note will be taken of all your medical history at the initial assessment appointment. In fact there are very few conditions which prevent implant surgery.

However, smokers will be required to give up smoking for a time before and after surgery.

Is there an age limit?
No - as long as you are fit and well.

How long does it take?
We normally advise that treatment will take six months from start to finish. However, in complex cases we may choose to complete the work in stages.

How long to they last?
For ever.

We would welcome further questions which occur to you and might help other patients.