They say Rome wasn’t built in a day. Well, the same can be said when talking about dental implant-based treatments and the time frame needed to complete each case.
Whilst dental implants might not be an overnight treatment journey, they are considered the best mode of tooth replacement available to patients at present. But how long does it actually take to get an implant, and what steps are involved on the way to replacing missing teeth with implants?
In this blog, we’ll be answering these questions, and outlining why you should choose The Bristol Dental Practice if you’re looking for dental implants in Bristol.
My dental implants journey in Bristol: what’s involved?
There are several stages involved when getting an implant. Let’s run through what these entail.
Preparation
Optimal oral health is required prior to having a dental implant.
If you have failing teeth as a result of extreme decay, infection or gum disease, you will not yet be a suitable candidate for implants. This is because it’s likely your dental implants would fail if they were to be placed whilst your mouth is not at optimum health.
Any underlying issues with your oral health will need to be addressed before dental implants can become a possibility.
If you’re living with teeth that have become loose as a result of problems like periodontal disease, we will need to remove these teeth and wait until the condition is stabilised before we can place your implants.
However, if we find your gums are healthy and that there is enough healthy jawbone to place your implants from the beginning, or once failing teeth have been removed, we can do what is known as immediate implantation. This is when we are able to place your implants right away.
Whether we are able to immediately place your implants, or your jaw needs to recover post tooth removal before they can be placed, we will provide you with a temporary set of teeth to wear during the healing time. You won’t have to go without teeth during any stage of your treatment.
In some cases, patients also do not have sufficient healthy bone to support a dental implant. If this applies to you, don’t worry as it’s not the end of the road for your smile. With a procedure called a bone graft we can restore bone to deficient areas in your jaw. Another procedure called a sinus graft makes it possible to add bone to the upper jaw area where the molars and premolars sit.
Your surgical sites generally take 2 weeks to heal. After around 3 months, your jaw should be ready for the placement of dental implants.
Implant placement
Implant placement is carried out under local anaesthetic. The titanium implant is placed directly into the jawbone, forging a connection that promotes an unmatchable level of stability, compared with removable tooth replacement treatments such as dentures and bridges.
This connection also protects the jawbone from shrinking away even further and compromising your facial structures and your skin’s elasticity. When the jawbone recedes, it’s not uncommon for skin to begin sagging and for fine lines and wrinkles to appear as a result.
Once the implant is placed, a healing period of around 3-6 month commences.
Last but not least: adding the restoration
Once your jawbone has healed, it’s time for the most exciting bit; you’re now ready for your new teeth to be fitted!
If you’re having a single tooth replaced with an implant, your bespoke crown will be fitted over the top and screwed into a connecting element called an abutment. If you are having multiple teeth replaced, your custom fitting bridge or dentures will replace the temporary teeth we fitted you with previously.
Both temporary and permanent bridges and dentures are made with care and craftsmanship here at The Bristol Dental Practice. Your new set of teeth will have been designed to be durable, easy to care for and be beautifully in keeping with your facial features.
Are dental implants worth it?
Absolutely. Whilst it’s true that the implants process can take many months, there are no other tooth replacement treatments that will yield a better outcome.
Dental implants are supreme in their ability to restore your everyday oral functions, and the aesthetic of your smile. If you’ve been struggling with missing teeth for a while, or you would like to swap your old and poorly-fitting dentures for an implant supported set of teeth, as a Bristol dentist, we can do this for you.
I’m a nervous patient: do you offer sedation?
If you’re feeling apprehensive at the thought of having a surgical procedure performed, or you suffer from extreme dental anxiety, we can offer dental sedation to help you feel relaxed.
Dental sedation isn’t something that’s available at all dental practices. Here at The Bristol Dental Practice, we’re proud to have highly experienced sedation dentists as part of our team. Principal dentist Dr Jonathan Cochrane undertook a year of sedation training at Eastman Dental Hospital (UCL), whilst Dr Rob Endicott has performed sedation thousands of times during his career.
Why are dental implants the best way to replace missing teeth?
- They prevent your jawbone from receding. This also prevents facial collapse, characterised by changes that occur as a result of lost bone. These include loss of volume in the cheek area, an elongated chin, and fine lines where volume has been lost.
- Implants give you the freedom to eat tougher foods, which you may have previously avoided doing if you’re a long-term denture wearer, or someone who has been living with missing teeth for a number of years.
- They can be looked after as if they were a real tooth.
- They feel and function like a real tooth.
Contact a Bristol dentist for your dental implants treatment
If you would like to contact us, simply click here to fill out our contact form, or give us a call on:
New patients: 0117 405 8110
Existing patients: 01179105929
We look forward to booking you in for your dental implants consultation in Bristol.