Dental Implants ...

What are dental implants?
A dental implant is a titanium metal rod, which is placed into the jawbone. It is used to support one or more false teeth.

Are implants safe? How long will they last?
Implants are a well-established, tried-and-tested treatment. Depending on which research papers you read, success rates for modern implants range from 90 to 100 per cent at 10 years. Of course, if the implant(s) are working well at 10 years then they should continue to do so. In fact, in most cases an implant will outlive its patient. Success rates have improved greatly over recent years due to improvements in the design of implant surfaces.

Can implants always be used to replace missing teeth?
It depends on the state of the bone in your jaw. Your dentist will arrange for a number of special tests to assess the amount of bone still there. If there is not enough, or if it isn’t healthy enough, it may not be possible to place implants without grafting bone into the area first.

How long does treatment take?
Your dentist will be able to give you a provisional timetable before the treatment begins.

How soon can I have the new teeth?
In some circumstances temporary teeth can be placed on the implant(s) immediately or within 24 hours. Permanent teeth are usually fitted after about three months. Every case is different however, and patients are given approximate time scales before treatment starts.

Is the treatment expensive?
The initial investment can be high, but whether the treatment is expensive or not depends upon the patient’s priorities. Implant treatments that may last a patient the rest of their life, can cost less than a family holiday abroad. Advanced treatments require a higher investment, but again, when compared with the purchase of a fancy television or new car that may be changed after a few years, the investment could be considered better value for money. It all comes down to priorities. At the end of the day, the patient is investing in their quality of life.

There are advantages to it, too. An implant to replace a single tooth avoids the need to cut down the teeth either side for crowns to support a bridge. Normal dentures often mean you can’t eat or speak well, due to the dentures moving about. But teeth attached to an implant don’t cause this problem.

Courtesy of the British Dental Health Foundation – www.dentalhealth.org