Dental Implant Centre

Implants are becoming increasingly popular when it comes to replacing lost teeth. Many people describe them as the next best thing to still having their own teeth.

As well as eliminating gaps and chewing discomfort so that you are able to smile with confidence and eat a complete diet, they also stop bone loss which can make your face lose volume.

A straight-forward, painless procedure

They may be a ‘hi-tech solution’, but fitting one is straightforward and all done under local anaesthetic so you won’t feel a thing. Once the implant is in place, we’ll probably have to wait about twelve weeks for it to settle before a crown’s fitted on top.

Surgical planning

Prior to commencement of surgery, careful and detailed planning is required to identify vital structures such as the inferior alveolar nerve or the sinus, as well as the shape and dimensions of the bone to properly orient the implants for the most predictable outcome. Two-dimensional radiographs are often taken prior to the surgery. Sometimes, a CT scan will also be obtained. Specialized 3D CAD/CAM computer programs may be used to plan the case.

Basic procedure

In its most basic form, the placement of an implant requires a preparation into the bone using precision drills with highly regulated speed to prevent burning or pressure necrosis of the bone. After a variable amount of time to allow the bone to grow on to the surface of the implant, a crown or crowns can be placed on the implant.

A ‘stent’ may sometimes be used to facilitate the placement of implants. A surgical stent is an acrylic wafer that fits over either the teeth, the bone surface or the mucosa (when all the teeth are missing) with pre-drilled holes to show the position and angle of the implants to be placed.

Will I be left with a gap?

If you had a removable denture before treatment, with a minor adjustment you can continue to use this. If you didn’t have a removable denture before treatment, one can be made for you at an extra cost.