Traditionally a dental implant placed into your jawbone supports a single crown and this is known as a single tooth implant. However if you have several missing teeth you do not necessarily need an implant for every missing tooth, one implant can support several teeth via a bridge, partial dentures, or if necessary, a complete set of dentures.
Before any dental implants are placed it is important for your dentist to assess the health of your teeth and gums, if there are any signs of gum disease or decay this must be treated first.
Following this your treatment will be planned, with several x-rays to assess bone quality and check for nearby anatomical structures to avoid before any drilling.
Your dentist will make an incision in the gum where the implant is to be placed and lifted and will drill a small hole in the jawbone. He will fit a titanium implant tightly into this socket and stitch the gum back over the implant. If there is insufficient bone material to accommodate the dental implant the dentist may use smaller sized mini implants or a bone graft. The procedure is usually carried out under local anaesthestic."
The dental implant is then left to heal and fuse with the jawbone for approximately 6 weeks. The bone tissue will grow and anchor itself into the surface of the dental implant. During the healing period patients are given temporary teeth (bridges) or continue to wear dentures. It's important that any temporary teeth do not exert any force on the healing implant as this may cause permanent damage. After the healing period, an incision is made into the gum and a post is attached to the implant complete with a temporary crown. Four to six weeks later (when the surrounding gum tissue has healed) the final, permanent, porcelain crown can be fitted to the implant.
For more information about the advantages of denture implants - click below:
Advantages of denture implants
The Smile Centre UK can fit fixed overdentures on to existing denture implants. Please note that the surgical fitting of dental implants or indeed any surgical procedure cannot be carried out by The Smile Centre. If implants have not been surgically placed this can be done by a qualified dental surgeon.
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