WHY CHOOSING DENTAL IMPLANTS COULD BE THE BEST DECISION OF YOUR LIFE
Dental implants represent truly modern, forward-thinking dentistry. Whilst our natural teeth are meant to last us a lifetime, at the The Bristol Dental Practice we understand that sometimes patients can lose their natural teeth long before their time. Gum disease and tooth decay, accidents and injuries can all lead to tooth loss. With implants, your dentist has a permanent method of replacing them.
How dental implants work
Whilst standard dentures or bridges replace the crowns of any missing teeth, they don’t replace the roots. Dental implants are bionic tooth roots, made from titanium and placed straight into your jaw bone in a minor operation, which is carried out under local anaesthetic or sedation here at our modern, fully-equipped Bristol dental practice.
Once in place, dental implants form a strong bond with the jaw bone, meaning they create an anchor for replacement teeth that is equivalent to that of natural tooth roots. Titanium is used because of its high degree of compatibility with the human body, and the fact it is osteoconductive – supportive of bone growth.
A loss of bone density is very common in patients with several or all missing teeth, because the jaw bone will resorb without the tooth roots in place. Implants help to prevent this.
Dental implants in Bristol
You are invited to join us at the The Bristol Dental Practice for a consultation with our implant dentist Dr Jonathan Cochrane. He will assess your suitability for treatment, and ascertain your bone density to check if you need additional procedures to rebuild your jaw bone prior to implant placement.
Placement of your implants is carefully planned, and is carried out by a skilled implant surgeon. Some people can have their permanent new teeth fitted straight away, whilst in other cases a healing period of a few months is necessary.
WHY DENTAL IMPLANTS MAY BE THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR YOUR MISSING TEETH
Dental implants offer people with missing teeth a second chance not just to smile, but also to enjoy the full functionality of a complete jaw of teeth. At the The Bristol Dental Practice , we can treat anything from a simple single implant placement with crown to replace one missing tooth to a complex full-mouth restoration, including additional procedures to rebuild the density of your jaw bone.
How treatment with dental implants works
All teeth are made of two parts – roots and crowns. Standard dentures and bridges replace the crowns but do nothing to replace the roots. Dental implants are different.
Bionic tooth roots that are placed directly in your jaw bone in a minor oral surgical procedure, carried out here at our fully-equipped and modern Bristol dental practice, dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement solution. They mesh with the jaw bone and help to prevent the problem of bone loss that commonly occurs when several or all your natural teeth are missing, and with proper aftercare can last you a lifetime.
We find most patients at our Bristol practice only require local anaesthetic for the placement of dental implants, although we also offer treatment under conscious sedation when necessary with our dual qualified implant and sedation trained dentist, Dr Jonathan Cochrane.
Sometimes your new teeth can be attached on the same day as your implants are fitted, whilst in other cases it is best to allow your implants to heal and mesh with your bone for a few months before permanent new teeth are attached. In the second scenario, your dentist may fit temporary teeth during the healing period, so you needn’t worry about being left toothless.
Once full restoration has taken place, your dental implants and the new teeth attached to them will look and act just like natural teeth, meaning you can smile, laugh, eat and speak with confidence.
HOW DENTAL IMPLANTS CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH A SECOND CHANCE TO SMILE
Using dental implants, a dentist can give you a second chance to smile if you have lost one, some, or even all your natural teeth. At the The Bristol Dental Practice , all our implant work is carried out by experienced implant surgeon Dr Jonathan Cochrane. He can treat anything from simple to complex cases, and welcomes new patients of all ages for implant consultations.
Dental implants in Bristol: your options for treatment
Dental implants replace the root portion of one or more missing teeth. Made from titanium, which is very strong and very compatible with the human body, implants are put straight in your jaw bone in a minor operation, and can them support anything from one crown to a full set of new teeth.
The number of dental implants you will require will depend upon your clinical need and your personal preference. Usually, if you have one missing tooth a single implant will be used with a crown, whilst for multiple missing teeth, a series of implants and either a denture or bridge will be used.
Most of the implant work carried out by Dr Jonathan Cochrane at our Bristol clinic requires only a local anaesthetic. However, if you are nervous or phobic of dental treatment, we can offer conscious sedation, which means that while you will be able to cooperate with your dentist’s instructions, you won’t remember much about treatment afterwards, will feel highly relaxed, and most importantly will feel no pain.
Sometimes, we can attach your permanent new teeth at the same time as your dental implants. In other cases, it is best to leave your implants to heal for a few months. The best option for you will be discussed by your dentist at the outset of treatment, and included in your treatment plan.
DENTAL IMPLANTS: YOUR SECOND CHANCE TO SMILE
Dental implants are a thoroughly modern way for a dentist to replace missing teeth, giving those unfortunate enough to have suffered tooth loss a second chance to smile and eat with confidence. At the The Bristol Dental Practice in Bristol we can treat even the most complex implant cases, where bone grafts or sinus lifts are required to rebuild your jaw bone density prior to implant surgery.
The benefits of dental implants
At the The Bristol Dental Practice , we are keen to stress that missing teeth should always be replaced, to avoid further complications with your dental and general health. We believe that dental implants are often the best way to do this.
Dental implants are the only permanent tooth replacement option, and the only one that enables a dentist to replace the roots of the teeth as well as the crowns. This helps to prevent bone loss, as when the roots are missing the jaw bone tends to shrink back or resorb.
Because your new teeth will be firmly anchored in your jaw, you need never worry that they will become loose and uncomfortable, nor that they will fall out at an unfortunate moment. Dental implants provide a stable and reliable base on to which your new teeth can be attached, restoring full functionality to your jaw as well as giving you a smile that you will want to show off to everyone.
Dental implants in Bristol
All our implant surgery is carried out by experienced implant dentist Dr Jonathan Cochrane. At your first appointment, he will assess your bone density and will then create you a bespoke treatment plan, including bone graft options if required.
Dental surgery may seem scary, but implant placement is intricately planned and is a relatively simple procedure, carried out either under local anaesthetic or sedation, depending on what your preference is.
ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS RIGHT FOR ME?
Have you lost one or more of your teeth? You may be looking for tooth replacement solutions and wondering which is best for you. Bridges, dentures, dental implants… We are always happy to discuss all the options with you, and if you are considering dental implant treatment we will make sure you are given an honest assessment and all the facts at your initial implant consultation, so that you can make an informed choice.
Dental implants are the only permanent solution to missing teeth. Unlike unsecured dentures or bridges, they integrate with the jawbone and are osteoconductive, meaning they support bone growth. There they act just like a tooth root, providing firm anchorage for replacement teeth such as crowns or implant-secured dentures and bridges.
Dr Jonathan Cochrane is a highly-experienced implant dentist, with an MSc in Dental Implantology from the respected University of Bristol. He can treat complex implant cases, including those requiring bone grafts and sinus lifts.
Most people are suitable for dental implant treatment, and your suitability will be confirmed at your initial assessment. However, there are a few lifestyle factors to take into consideration…
Dental health
Dental implants require good oral health. If you have conditions such as gum disease or decay in other teeth, these must be successfully treated before you can be considered for implant treatment.
Smoking
Smoking cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco dramatically increases the chances of dental implants failing, because the habit affects your gums and blood cells. We offer a smoking cessation service, which can help you to quit for good – beneficial not just to your implants, but to your general health too.
Bone grafts and sinus lifts
You may have been told you do not have enough bone to support implants, which is common in patients who have worn dentures for years. In most cases, it is possible to perform a bone graft, using synthetic material to help your bone regenerate before implant treatment. For the upper jaw, you may require a sinus lift, which is not suitable for all patients, so we will perform a series of tests first.
Dental hygiene
Good dental hygiene is just as important for implants and their restorations as it is for natural teeth. If you have successfully had implants placed after tooth loss, the last thing you want to happen is to lose your teeth again. Visit us regularly and follow your hygienist’s advice on homecare.
If you require cosmetic dental implants in Bristol or reparative dental implants in Bristol then be sure to visit The Bristol Dental Practice today or call us to arrange an initial consultation.