Dental implants are a permanent, fixed solution for replacing missing teeth. But what does a dental implant procedure involve, and what are the benefits? Find out everything you need to know about dental implants in this blog and video tutorial below.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are essentially lifelike replacements for missing teeth. They are composed of a titanium element, which gets placed in the patient’s mouth, and then we make a crown that sits over the top. In addition, dental implants can sometimes be linked to make bridges, which means they can replace anything from one tooth to a complete set of teeth.
What Are Dental Implants For?
Dental implants are for anyone over the age of 21 and missing a tooth. For instance, they are the perfect solution if you have had a football injury involving an elbow to the mouth that has knocked a tooth out. Dental implants are also helpful if you have lost several teeth over a period of time. They can be an excellent solution for anybody struggling with a broken crown or teeth and broken confidence as a result.
For patients who have dentures and would like something that is fixed and solid, dental implants give you back that sense of being able to use your teeth the way you used to. For example, we have patients who have been rugby players who have lost teeth over a period of time. We have also had patients who are quite elderly who lost their teeth a long time ago and are having to deal with rocky dentures. Either way, dental implants are an ideal solution.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants are placed using a surgical process. They are made up of a small titanium screw that is placed in the jawbone and then left to heal and fuse to the bone over several months. Once everything has healed, we come back two to three months later, and a porcelain crown is fabricated that sits on top of the implant. One implant can be placed for a single missing tooth, or several implants can be linked together to make a bridge.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
A dental implant should last a significant amount of time – typically 15 to 20 years – as long as you visit the dentist and hygienist regularly and keep it well-maintained. Factors that negatively impact a dental implant’s longevity are overall health, smoking, and how regularly you visit your dentist and hygienist. However, if you look after your teeth and are generally in good health, there is no reason why your dental implant shouldn’t last a long time.
What Is The Dental Implant Procedure?
Here is our step-by-step guide to the entire dental implant procedure here at Ollie & Darsh:
- Consultation and examination – After your free initial consultation, we will examine your teeth and gums, including taking scans, before sharing our findings and developing a suitable individual treatment plan.
- Placing your dental implant(s) – After administering a local anaesthetic to numb your mouth, we will place the implant(s) into your jawbone. This surgical procedure is typically straightforward and pain-free.
- The wait to integrate – Dental implants need a robust and secure bond to form between the titanium screw and jawbone. This usually takes around 2-3 months and is potentially the most crucial part of the process.
- Building your new ‘tooth’ – We then begin building your new ‘tooth’. A connecting abutment is screwed into the implant, and a colour-matched porcelain crown is attached to create a lifelike new tooth.
- Aftercare and support – Much like the integration process, post-surgical healing is also important. So our clinicians will continue to monitor the health of your implant and gums following your treatment.
How Long Is The Dental Implant Procedure?
It takes approximately 1-2 hours to install each dental implant. That means if you need multiple implants, you might need several visits to the clinic. However, dental implants usually take several months to fuse to the surrounding jawbone before reaching that stage. So, in its entirety, you can expect the dental implant process to take roughly 3-9 months to complete. But, as we always say, the best things in life are worth waiting for!
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
Our dental implant procedures at Ollie & Darsh usually start from £2,400 per implant. This treatment isn’t generally available on the NHS as a cosmetic procedure. However, we offer a range of interest-free dental plans to help spread the cost of dental implants. That means you can spread the cost with manageable monthly payments over the course of 10, 12 or 24 months, making private dental implants an affordable option.
What Are The Benefits Of Dental Implants?
The most significant advantage of having a dental implant is that it provides a permanent solution for a missing tooth. Instead of a removable denture, a dental implant is fixed, secure and designed to last. Having teeth fixed in place, whether one tooth or a full set, can give you the confidence to visit a restaurant and eat whatever you like from the menu once more. That gives you priceless peace of mind and one less thing to worry about.
Rebuild Your Smile And Confidence At Ollie & Darsh
With a highly experienced clinical and support team, Ollie & Darsh is the dental implant specialist you can trust to deliver your dream smile. With individually tailored treatment programmes delivered by experienced clinicians, your dental implant process is in safe hands. With 0% finance available on all our dental implant treatments, you can afford to rebuild your smile – and confidence – with the support of Ollie & Darsh’s dental implant specialists.
Don’t let missing teeth dent your confidence. The Ollie & Darsh team is here to help you smile more with affordable dental implants you’ll want to show off at every opportunity. If you would like more information about dental implants or to book a free, no-obligation phone consultation with one of the team, please contact us on 0151 236 6578.