What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is made of pure titanium or titanium alloy, and has almost the same size and shape of the root of a tooth.
It is inserted into the bone where a tooth is missing. It is biocompatible with bone and integrates fully within it, creating an extremely strong bond. This is called Osseo integration.
If you are missing one tooth, or many teeth, we can replace your teeth easily.
The whole procedure takes only a few minutes for a single tooth and up to an hour for multiple implants.
Implants have many uses within the dental profession. Treatment can involve anything from placing a single implant to placing a number of implants in order to support a bridge.
It is at the discretion of the individual and how they feel about their teeth that determines the type of treatment they choose, for example, it may be that you have just a small gap in your mouth but one that worries you greatly. A bridge or partial denture may resolve your problem however some people would prefer something more permanent.If this is the case, speak to your dentist about implants.
There are also people who do not want implants for cosmetic reasons but who need implants to help them maintain functionality. People who have not had any teeth for some time often approach their dentist because their dentures no longer fit. In this case, implants can be used to hold a denture in place.
Consultation
To determine whether you are a suitable candidate for dental implants, the surgeon will need to take x-rays. This will help them decide how much room they have to place the implant and they can then start planning your treatment. Depending on how long the site has been without a tooth, the surgeon may find that there isn't enough room to house an implant. This is when something called a 'bone graft' or 'bone augmentation' is necessary. Your dentist/surgeon will explain the procedure & implications to you before commencing any treatment.
Sedation
The whole procedure really isn't that bad, however due to the length of time the procedure can take and because we understand many patients would prefer to not know what is going on we offer sedation. The surgeon will explain the procedure to you at your consultation and you can decide at this point or closer to the time if you wish to be sedated during the process.
On the day of your procedure the surgeon will once again explain the process to make sure you and your companion are happy with what they are going to do. It is required that you bring a companion with you because if you are having sedation it is a legal requirement and even if you are not being sedated you may still feel slightly tired.
After Treatment
Sometimes you will be provided with some anti-biotics beforehand and sometimes you may receive both AB's & Ibuprofen to take over the duration. The use of anti-biotics is self-explanatory - the Ibuprofen is used to help with any swelling that may occur following surgery.
The wound must be kept clean for the next 7-10 days, after which your dentist/surgeon will wish to review you, take an x-ray and remove any sutures.
If at anytime you are concerned following surgery, please feel free to telephone the Practice and request to speak with your implant surgeon.
After approximately 3 months of healing time and several reviews later, impressions are taken and the technician can start making your new 'tooth'. A short visit is then required a couple of weeks later to fit your new crown, andeverything is finished.
Implant Systems
Currently we use Astra Tech and Nobel Biocare. For advanced cases that require in-depth case planning, we use Simplant or NobelGuide. Raj Wadhwani is also experienced in the use of Straumann, Frialit, Hi-Tec, 3i and Lifecore implant systems.
