A Guide to Dental Implants at Tracey Bell
More and more people are replacing lost teeth with dental implants to avoid unsightly gaps in their smiles. In our latest blog, we look at how dental implants work and who they’re suitable for.
Put simply, a dental implant is a titanium rod or screw that replaces the root of a tooth. A dental implant can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. They can be used to stabilise ill-fitting and loose dentures, too.
At Tracey Bell, we have provided dental implants for over 14 years and have placed in excess of 1,000 dental implants in that time.
Dental implants do vary and it is important that the following facts are considered when choosing the option that’s right for you.
Who can have dental implants?
In general, anyone can have dental implants, but your medical history and risk factors such as smoking, early loss of teeth and systemic diseases all need to be considered in assessing and planning dental implants – your clinician should always explain to you the risks and benefits of dental implants during your consultation.
How many implants do I need?
It is not always necessary to have a dental implant for every tooth you’ve lost. For example, for the upper jaw, a procedure using just four implants may be suitable. The number of implants used will depend on:
1. The clinical situation
2. Cost
3. The patient’s wishes
4. Number of teeth to be replaced
Terms often used to describe bone replacement are: bone augmentation, sinus lift or membrane placement.
At Tracey Bell we have a number of dental implant surgeons who can assess and perform the surgical procedure prior to any dental implant treatment.
Bone grafting, sinus lift and soft tissue regeneration are all common dental implant procedures that may be required in order to make your dental implant look and function at its best.
Full clinical assessment, consent and a written dental implant treatment plan should always be provided to all patients prior to treatment or placement.
How long do implants last?
At present, based on clinical research, a dental implant can be said to last for 9.4 years. Dental implants are known to suffer from periimplantitis (like teeth) and hence maintenance and review of your dental implants are essential post treatment. At the Tracey Bell Clinics, we see dental implants that have been placed many years ago that still present well and are very well maintained.
Dental implants should be maintained and looked after well. Smoking and system is disease are, of course, risk factors which can lessen the success of your dental implant in the long term.
How much do dental implants cost?
The cost of dental implants varies depending on the type of implant placed and the number of implants required.
Starumann, Frialt and Nobel Biocare Dental Implants are the most expensive but have excellent clinical data and longevity supported by research.
Other dental implant systems are newer and tend to be cheaper such as Bicon, Osstem and 3i. The choice of dental implant will determine the cost. A dental implant on average will cost between £1,000-£3,500 depending on the type of implant used and on whether tissue and bone grafting is needed. The pros and cons of dental implants should always be discussed with the patient in detail. Dental implants involve assessment, consent and, of course, time to place and construct. We’d always encourage patients to take time to plan implants, but once you’ve made the decision, they can provide the perfect way to replace a lost tooth for many years to come.
Would you like to know more about Dental Implants? We made 2 brilliant FREE GUIDE for you!
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