Dental Implants - UK Dental Tooth Implants - Dental Patient Education Resources

Dental Implants - UK Dental Tooth Implants
What are Dental Tooth Implants?
Dental Tooth Implants are basically a titanium root that replaces the root of a natural tooth or teeth.
Implants are useful in replacing single teeth, where you don't want to drill other teeth, as well as just acting as strong anchorage to stabilise a moving Denture, for example. Dental Implants can also replace all your missing teeth, if there is enough bone to support Implant placement.
However, the most critical thing you need is enough height and width of natural bone to support any proposed Implant. Without enough bone, the Implant doesn't have strong foundations and will fail. Some recent advances in narrow Implants though have now made this option a financial and less Surgical mode of treatment that improves function and self-confidence, as well as avoiding further Surgery for additional bone grafting.
Same day mini implants can be placed with minimum Surgery and provide same day teeth too!
These "new" mini dental implants from the USA will, I believe, revolutionise the availability and ease with which most people can access the benefits of implant retained teeth. These mini implants can be as small as only 1.8mm in diameter, rarely require the major Surgery of some Standard implant systems and can be placed in areas with less bone too, often avoiding bone grafts. The cost is also about half that of standard implant work and the patient usually gets to leave with teeth attached to these mini implants, that they can eat on the same day too!
If this type of implant work interests you, then you will need an Implant Assessment appointment with us (01535-644005) first, so that we can assess which particular type of Implants, mini Implants or other treatments, may best meet your particular needs.
Dr.Kilcoyne will be running the first courses on these mini implants for Dentists in the UK, so that they may offer these exciting new options to their patients too. The series of pictures below shows how you can get more transitional implants into where the bone is, even to support bridgework if the case is suitable. With larger, standard Implants, this may not be possible, but bone grafts may help (see next paragraph).
On average, though, success rates are higher in the Mandible (lower jaw) as the bone quality is higher (>95% success in favourable cases). In the Maxilla (upper jaw) the success rate is lower (>85% in favourable cases). These rates decrease the more complex a case is, if you need bone grafts etc.
Although these success rates are gradually improving as new developments improve the features of Implants further, they still tend to "fail" because they don't "bond" to the bone, or they are "overloaded" too early or patients don't follow-up for regular cleanings and maintenance as advised.
Although the "odds" are in your favour, there is a risk of failure despite everyone's best efforts. Are you willing to accept that risk?
Implants have relatively high costs and treatment time implications, with re-treatment a real possibility.
But, when your body accepts Implants and they bond to bone, they are very solid and give excellent clinical performance for eating, talking and smiling confidently, for the vast majority of people.
Only you can decide if the risk to cost to benefit ratio is worth it for Dental Implant Treatments!
Contra-indications to implants:
Smokers have a higher failure rate with Implants because their tissues are relatively unhealthy and don't heal as well to the Implants. Many Surgeons will not treat smokers with Implants because they spoil their patient success rates. However, even newer techniques are improving this situation and success rates for smokers, so ask your Dentist or Specialist for the latest information.
General Medical health can complicate/fail Implant treatment such as Immuno-compromised, Steroid treatment and various Allergies etc.
Previous Dental diseases such as a pre-disposition to gum diseases and bone quality problems (eg: osteoporosis) or severe bone loss.
Clearly, Dental Tooth Implants offer exciting alternatives for Patients. However, this is a Complex area of Dentistry that should be discussed personally with your Dentist or Specialist at a specific Consultation and Assessment for your personal needs and options. Where ever you are from, in the UK or Abroad, why not visit us for a Specialist* Opinion about Dental Implants, MTI Mini Implants, Smaller root shaped Implants, Cosmetic Dentistry, tooth bleaching or other "same-day" treatments that we can offer you on a very pleasant visit to Bronte Country and the Yorkshire Countryside.