Fixed Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth and restore a natural healthy looking smile. Your new teeth will look, feel and perform just like your natural teeth.
At Watlington Dental Centre, our consultant implantologist (Dr Baha Bagdadi) uses a market leading implant system (Astra Tech).
Advantages of implants are:
1) Convenience – they are fixed unlike dentures which are removable
2) Durable – they can last many years
3) Eating is made easier – they function like your own teeth
4) Improved comfort and speech
5) Oral Health is improved – they can make you feel better by improving your smile
Success rates are above 95%
On your first appointment, our experienced oral surgeon will thoroughly assess your suitability for a dental implant by examining your mouth and soft tissue. He will then talk you through your options and the costs involved. In some instances, you may be referred to a local clinic for a CT scan (special type of X-ray) which will help determine the quality and quantity of bone so he can accurately plan the implant procedure.
The second appointment will involve implant placement. The implant is made of titanium and is specially constructed for dental use. Under local anaesthetic, the surgeon will make a careful incision in to the gum. He will then drill a small hole in the jaw bone so that he can painlessly place an implant into the area of tooth loss. The most important part of the implant is the close adhesion between the implant and the jaw bone.
Our surgeon has performed hundreds of implant placements and will give the implant the best possibility of close integration between the implant and jaw bone. The gum will then be stitched and will need approximately 3-6 months to heal before going on the next stage.
The next stage will involve a small incision into the gum to reveal the implant. Impressions of the area will then be taken for the final tooth to be fitted. Depending upon how many teeth need replacing, the surgeon will either fit a crown or a bridge.
The surgeon will also talk you through and show you how to keep the area clean using a combination of brushes and floss as aftercare of the implant is very important.
Here at Watlington Dental Centre, we appreciate you may be apprehensive about the procedure, however, our friendly team of healthcare professionals will be happy to answer any questions you may have and put you at ease.