Dental implants to fill a smile
When a tooth has to be completely replaced, or a person who wears false teeth wants “real” teeth again, dental implants are an ideal solution.
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Dental implants can be used to replace removable dentures or bridges or single teeth that need to be taken out. This long, expensive and sophisticated dental implant technique can be used in a large majority of these cases, but you do need to first ensure that the bone tissue onto which the implant will be fixed is of good quality: neither too thin, nor too soft.
The dental implant technique
The dentist opens the gum and places an artificial titanium root directly into the jawbone, which provides a stable base on which to fit the new tooth. This tooth could be as a single crown or what is known as a bridge… a number of teeth bonded together and fitted by implant at each end of the bridge.
Depending on the number of implants you need, you will undergo the initial implant surgery either under local or general anaesthetic.
In most cases, the “delayed implant” method is used and you will have to wait a few months to ensure that the body does not reject the implanted root and that the gums are fully healed. The gum is then reopened to screw a porcelain tooth onto the implant. You can be fitted with a temporary bridge or dentures during this period.
- Disadvantages: This technique cannot be used in all cases, depending on your general health and that of our gums and jawbone. You should absolutely consult a reputed dental implant specialist to ascertain whether you have enough bone to support a dental implant, and thus avoid any nasty surprises...
- The cost: From approximately £1200-£3000 per tooth
Copyright © 2012 Doctissimo
Posted 16.02.2012
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