February 2020

February 2020

February 2020

Treatment in Focus

Implants - your questions answered

By Chris Young, Principal Dentist at EPD

What is an Implant?

An implant is a titanium screw that is placed directly within your jawbone to act as an artificial root. A new tooth replacement, such as a crown or denture, is then placed on top giving you a natural looking smile.

Why is an Implant a good option?

Stability – dental implants are a long-term fixture which will not move around in your mouth like dentures can. Aesthetics – a missing tooth at the front of your mouth can be unsightly. An implant is a great way of replacing this, preserving the looks of your smile, and preventing the unwanted movement of neighbouring teeth. Function – chewing with a dental implant is easier than with alternatives like a denture, and they build confidence for you to choose different types of foods to eat especially when dining out. Studies have shown people report a significantly improved quality of life after having a dental implant as opposed to their previous conventional denture.

Who can have an Implant?

Almost anyone can have a dental implant. A good candidate would have healthy gums and be a non-smoker. Acknowledged, stable health issues need to be discussed on an individual basis but tend not to prevent the treatment. People who may not be a good candidate for implants would be heavy smokers, have poorly controlled diabetes, active gum disease, severe immune deficiencies, or currently undergoing any treatment within a hospital.

Which teeth can be replaced with Implants?

Dental implants can be used to replace almost any missing tooth. A scan will be done to assess the area and see exactly how much bone is available in which to place the implant. It may be necessary to place some extra bone in the area if there is not quite enough, and this will help give the implant longer stability.

When can I have an Implant?

A dental implant can replace a missing tooth at almost any point, despite when the tooth was lost. However, there are benefits to replacing it sooner rather than later as bone loss does occur after time. Some implants can be placed immediately and sometimes it is better to wait around 3 months after the tooth is removed, but this is discussed on a case by case basis. An implant can still be placed many years after the tooth was lost, however this is when bone loss can occur and you may have an increased chance of needing extra bone to support the implant.

News

Events

We are having an Implant Open Evening on Thursday 19th March 5.30pm-7.30pm. If you’ve ever considered getting an implant or would like to know more about them, then this is the event for you. Just call our reception team to reserve your space today

Welcome…

We are excited to welcome to our team Viren Vithlani. Viren is a specialist Periodontist which means he spends his days looking after gums and has a wealth of experience and knowledge in dealing with advanced gum problems. This latest service means we no longer need to refer you elsewhere for this treatment - you can be seen within the comfy surroundings of EPD!