Dental implants are the solution to replacing missing teeth, that most closely resembles your natural teeth. They look and feel natural, and best of all, they function like your own teeth.
Dental implants enable you to eat and speak without pain and discomfort because they improve your chewing and speaking proficiency.
Why else should I replace a missing tooth, I have no problems chewing?
- The presence of natural teeth preserves the jaw bone. When a tooth is missing, the bone beneath it will begin to shrink (atrophy). Since your facial bone supports the skin and muscle on top of it, losing teeth and supporting bone volume can cause your face to look prematurely aged, making you look older than you really are. This is especially so in front teeth. Dental implants prevent bone loss.
What exactly is a dental implant?
- A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that replaces your missing tooth. Implants are made of titanium which are very safe to be placed in the jawbone. It is possible to replace a single tooth, several teeth to a full row of missing teeth with implants.
Am I a suitable candidate for a dental implant?
- Dental implants are an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to dental extraction, gum disease, an injury, or for any other reason. It is essential that you have healthy supporting bone and gums around the implant in order for long term stability and natural appearance of the implant.
What can I expect after receiving a dental implant?
- Dental implants are restorations that look and function like your own teeth. They also need to be taken care of like the real thing. In order to keep your implant clean, brushing and flossing routines should be carried out as usual.
Will I expect to experience pain from the procedure?
- Believe it or not, this is one of the most common questions we receive, and also the biggest barrier to people wanting to receive treatment. The answer is no, with the correct surgical and anaesthesia technique, most of our patients hardly feel a thing during and after the procedure! In fact, the whole process of placing an implant can be completed in a shorter time than certain other dental procedures.
How long can an implant last me for?
- Dental implants have one of the highest success rates of any implanted surgical device. Modern dental implants are made of titanium which have been extensively used since the 1970s. Titanium alloy offers the benefit of being lightweight and strong, and is easily accepted by the body (bio-friendly). It is the quality of your home care and regular maintenance visits to the dentist that will have most influence on how long your dental implant will last. It could probably be said that implants as much like teeth will last for as long as you can keep them clean. Well maintained implants placed into adequate bone can be expected to last for many years and probably your lifetime.