Dental Implants
Choose an implantologist you can trust.
What is an implant?
A dental implant is an artificial replacement for a tooth root, made from titanium, which is accepted by body tissues. It is inserted in the jawbone to allow osseointegration (integration of bone to the implant). After this, implants can be used to support single teeth, multiple teeth (i.e. implant-supported bridges) or dentures.
Benefits of implants
Dental implants have a number of advantages over alternative treatments. Implants are beneficial because they:
Are a long lasting solution
Look natural
Replace one or more teeth without affecting neighbouring teeth
Aren’t destructive because unlike bridges, no filing of neighbouring teeth is required
Help to prevent gum and bone recession
Increase your ability to eat any type of food
Improve your speech
Improve your smile
Restore your confidence and overall self-image
Referrals
As well as treating our own patients, our centre provides specialised treatment in oral surgery (surgical dentistry and implants) for patients referred from other dental practices.
FAQs
Why would I need a dental implant?
If you’re missing one or more teeth and would like to restore your ability to smile, speak and eat with comfort and confidence, then dental implants can help you. Maybe your dentures don’t fit securely or comfortably, or perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth.
How long does the operation take?
The operation takes anything between a few minutes and an hour depending on various factors. These include:
The size and quality of the jawbone at the implant site
Access to the implant site
Whether it is a front or back tooth implant
Whether single or multiple implants are needed
Whether bone expansion is needed
How long does the whole procedure take?
Ideally two to three months, depending on the quantity and quality of the jawbone which can vary from very hard to very soft. In soft type bone we allow more time for the integration of the bone with the implant. Nowadays, when the bone of the jaw is very good in both quantity and quality, the whole procedure can be completed in one visit (immediate loading).
What are immediate implants?
Immediate implants involve fitting the implant immediately after taking the tooth or teeth out, i.e. two operations in one. This procedure is routinely performed at our centre.
Is there any pain involved?
During the operation there’s no pain as the area is anaesthetised by a local anaesthetic injection and becomes completely numb. After the anaesthesia wears off, most patients report no pain at all. Very few report slight discomfort, which can be easily controlled by a mild painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Patients are often surprised at how little discomfort they experience during and after the operation.
What’s involved in the implant process?
Assessment and treatment planning: An initial consultation, followed by a full discussion of all possible alternatives, when the dentist will assess the feasibility of providing implant treatment. X-rays will be taken and models of teeth prepared. A treatment plan will then be formulated, detailing the sequence of treatment and associated costs. A CT scan is sometimes needed in complicated cases.
What about the actual surgical operation?
This is a relatively simple minor surgical procedure that is performed under local anaesthesia in sterile conditions. If, during assessment, the underlying bone is deemed deficient, a number of options are available for bone grafting or manipulation which can be carried out prior to or during implant placement.
Implants can take from six weeks to four months to integrate with the patient’s bone. During this integration period, temporary dentures or bridgework can be worn as appropriate. In some cases, temporary teeth can be fixed to the implants while they integrate in a process known as immediate loading.
What about age?
The implant procedure can be done at any age. There is no upper age limit although it isn’t recommended for boys under the age of 18 and girls under the age of 16, as the jaw is not fully grown at this stage.
How long does the implant last?
Present day implants, based on scientific evidence, have shown a very high success rate. Like natural teeth, how long they last depends on how well they are looked after.
How much does it cost?
The consultation including a digital jaw x-ray is £60.
Then the surgeon will explain the procedure and all the options and discuss the price based on the requirements of your case. Usually there is a discount package price for multiple implant placements.
Choosing the right Implant Surgeon
Make sure you ask:
1) Are they a registered specialist Oral Surgeon listed by the General Dental Council? The Oral Surgery speciality concerns any surgical procedure inside and around the mouth, including the upper and lower jaw.
2) Do they have a higher qualification in Oral Surgery or Dental Implantology?
3) How many years’ experience do they have in the field?
4) Do they perform complicated procedures such as bone grafts, sinus grafts and bone expansions?
5) Are they a member of one or more of: British Association of Oral Surgeons, British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Association of Implantology? This is important so as to keep up to date with the science of Implantology.
6) Do they use a multi-implant system? This means having the flexibility of using the appropriate type of implant for variable situations, as opposed to using one single implant system.
7) Do they perform the entire procedure? This begins with the consultation and assessment, then the surgical procedure, followed by the final restorative procedures (crowns, bridges, dentures). This is advantageous as it means continuity in treatment as one surgeon plans, performs, and is responsible for all stages of the procedure.
Choosing the right Implant Centre
Make sure you ask whether they:
1) Have a digital jaw x-ray and a CT scanner?
2) Have a separate sterilisation room with a vacuum autoclave?
3) Have free parking on the premises?
4) Have wheelchair access?
5) Offer a package price, particularly when more than one implant is required?
6) Provide free follow-up treatment no matter how many visits?
7) Provide a guarantee on the work done and for how long?
At Windsor Dental Surgery, we’re proud to meet all of the above criteria and are dedicated in providing our patients with the highest quality of treatment and service.
We offer a wide range of advanced implant treatments.
Single implants
Multiple implants
Bone grafting
Jaw bone widening
Sinus grafting
Soft tissue (gum) manipulation and grafting