Dental Implants

Crowns, bridges and dentures, can all be supported and stabilised by dental implants
One implant is normally sufficient to provide a replacement for a single missing tooth
Larger spaces where there are two or more missing teeth will need more implants, but it is not always an implant per missing tooth
In the upper jaw, the bone is softer. If you have no teeth at all, we would normally need 4-6 implants to support a set of teeth
In the lower jaw, the bone density can often be better, and a complete set of teeth might be possible with 4 implants

Loose dentures can be greatly improved
A lower denture can be stabilised by placing two implants at front of the mouth, and placing small attachments on the denture to fix onto the implants
The same type of treatment for the upper jaw may need more implants
These kind of modified dentures, are still removable for cleaning, but when fixed in place, they become very secure, greatly improving chewing and speaking

If you have good general health, then you will be suitable for implants
Smoking in particular carries an increased risk of implant failure
Sometimes, bone loss after the removal or loss of teeth due to chronic gum disease, leaves insufficient bone
In these cases, it may be necessary to increase the bone height and thickness
Sinus Lift – it is possible to increase the height of the bone available by creating new bone in the sinus area – the area above the back teeth
Bone grafting –a piece of bone from somewhere else is taken and secured to the reduced bone area. This provides ‘new’ bone, where the implant(s) can then be placed

Dental implants generally last many years and probably through your lifetime
Home care is very important after implants have been placed
If cleaning is not adequate and regular maintenance and checks are not carried out, there is a risk of gum disease around the implant. This can lead to failure

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