Rebuilding Smiles: What Are Dental Implants?
At The Bristol Dental Practice, we are leading experts in rebuilding smiles with dental implants. To us, there is nothing more important than providing our patients with beautiful and functional smiles, giving them the stability and confidence to relish in everything that life has to offer – from eating, speaking and smiling.
If you are feeling self-conscious about your smile or experiencing difficulty with basic oral functions due to one or more missing teeth, we strongly advise considering dental implants as a permanent replacement. Today, we’re going to delve into the ins and outs of dental implants and what’s involved in the procedure so that you can decide what’s best for your oral health.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants stand as a groundbreaking advancement in the field of tooth replacements. They consist of a biocompatible titanium screw that imitates a tooth root and is fitted with a porcelain crown that resembles and functions just like a natural tooth.
When you compare dental implants to other options like bridges or dentures, they’re the closest thing to having your original teeth back. They look real and are permanent fixtures that can serve you a lifetime if you take good care of them and attend regular check-up appointments.
What Does the Process Involve?
Dental implants are a long process that requires 4-5 visits to our practice, but the wait is worth it – trust us! The reason we break it down into smaller steps is that the titanium screw needs sufficient time to fuse properly with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. That bonding takes a few months.
Here’s a snapshot of the key stages in your dental implant journey:
1) Consultation:
We start with a thorough consultation right here at The Bristol Dental Practice. Our team will assess your mouth and gum health to determine if dental implants are suitable for you. Additionally, we will inquire about your dental history and lifestyle, including any gum issues or smoking habits, and review any relevant medical information. If you’re a good candidate, we will create a treatment plan tailored just for you. This plan maps out every step of the process.
In the event that our team identifies an issue that may prevent you from receiving treatment, such as a lack of sufficient bone, we can perform a bone graft or sinus lift beforehand to enhance your bone mass. Check out our blog post on ‘The Basics of Bone Grafting’ for more information.
2) Placement Surgery:
During placement surgery, a small incision will be made into your gum to insert the titanium screw into your jawbone. Afterwards, the incision will be carefully stitched back up, and you will need to wait a few months for the screw to fuse with your jawbone.
Following the surgery, we advise that you take it easy for a few days. You should not feel any discomfort during the procedure itself, as we use local anaesthesia. However, you might experience soreness after treatment, which can be effectively soothed with over-the-counter pain medication.
3) Check-In & Healing:
We’ll invite you for a follow-up appointment once osseointegration is completed. Here, our team will attach an ‘abutment’ – a connector for your beautiful crown – to the titanium screw. Occasionally, we may add a temporary cap to the abutment if necessary. During this time, our lab experts will also be working hard to build your permanent fixture.
4) Crown Placement:
The big moment arrives when your permanent fixture is ready. We’ll swap out the temporary cap for the porcelain crown, and just like that, you’ll have a complete smile that you won’t be able to resist showing off.
For those curious about all-on-four implants or implant-secured dentures, the process is the same, with the addition of attaching dentures or bridges to the implant fixtures.
The Benefits of Dental Implants:
- Strong Stability: No more worrying about dentures moving around – dental implants always stay firmly in place.
- Protecting Your Mouth: Dental implants keep your jawbone healthy, stopping it from shrinking after you lose a tooth (jawbone atrophy). That means no sunken appearance and a healthy smile.
- Eating and Talking with Ease: Dental implants ensure you can enjoy your favourite foods and have conversations without any issues.
- Lasting Beauty: With proper care, dental implants can serve you for a lifetime.
- Whole Smile Revival: Dental implants are versatile – they can even replace entire arches of missing teeth by incorporating a bridge.
- Food Freedom: Eat whatever you want – dental implants won’t hold you back.
- Looks That Wow: At The Bristol Dental Practice, we use top-quality materials so that your new smile looks as real as it can get.
- Safe and Sound: Dental implant treatment is incredibly safe and predictable, with a success rate of over 95%.
- Available With Sedation: Dental implant treatment can be performed under sedation for our nervous patients.
Dental Implants at TBDP:
- Leading the way at TBDP is Dr Jonathan Cochrane, the visionary behind our practice. Dr Cochrane is the youngest recipient of a Master’s degree in Dental Implantology from the University of Bristol and the first British dentist to earn a Certificate in Implant Dentistry from the German Board of Oral Implantology.
- Dr Cochrane is a respected figure in the world of implants, collaborating with international implant and bone regeneration firms. Joined by our skilled team, TBDP excels in delivering dental implant treatments across the South West.
- With over 5,000 successful dental implant placements, choosing TBDP means choosing five-star treatment and aftercare for your tooth replacement journey.
Final Word
As you consider your tooth replacement options, remember that dental implants offer more than just lasting stability and function – they also bring improved confidence and radiance that comes with having a gorgeous smile.
At The Bristol Dental Practice, we stand as your partners in rebuilding your smile. Led by Dr Cochrane, an esteemed expert in the field, and supported by a team of skilled dentists, we’ve successfully placed over 5,000 dental implants, each contributing to a gallery of renewed smiles.
Our commitment goes beyond the treatment itself; it extends to providing you with a five-star experience that encompasses personalised care and attention even after your treatment is complete.
To learn more about dental implant treatment in Bristol with The Bristol Dental Practice, contact our friendly reception team today online or by calling us at 0117 910 5929.
We can’t wait to welcome you!