Dental Implants

Dental implants cost between £1700-2200 per tooth depending on the number of dental implants and crowns needed. This includes a complimentary consultation, full assessment, 3D CBCT bone imaging and x-rays, 3D modelling and simulation, jaw articulation, placement of one the world’s leading Ankylos implant fixture including abutments and crowns. We provide interest free payment plans for all these options.

Dental implants are suitable for most patients. In some cases, the bone may take more time to heal around the fixture, for example if you are diabetic, weaker bone or smoking. In all situations, it is best to have these all under control before beginning implant treatment.

Apart from implants, dental bridges are also a fixed option used to replace teeth but these do sometimes involve some preparation of adjacent teeth. Dentures can also be used, but are a removable option that taken out at night time.

Dental implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement. After placement, if cared for and maintained well both above and below the gums they can remain over 15 years or more. Many implants have success rates of above 20 years.

Provided the bone is stable and firm when the implant fixture is placed, teeth can be replaced on the same day. Sometimes implant fixture take between 8-10 weeks to fuse firmly enough for a tooth to be placed. This involves 3-4 visits to the dentist in total.

Yes, dental implants can be used with dentures to stop them rocking, wobbling and moving around whilst you eat, smile and talk. There are 3 different denture implant techniques:

• Replace your existing denture completely making it a fixed bridge. You will not be able to take this out, it will be fixed permanently. (Although your dentist can remove it for maintenance).
• Upgrade your existing denture to attach onto implants. This would involve placing dental implants and then modifying your existing denture to fix to them. This is a good option if you like your existing denture.
• Having a new denture made fixed onto implants. This is a good option if you do not like your existing denture and would like to make changes.

If you would like to replace missing teeth here are three different tooth replacement options with their advantages and disadvantages:

• Dental implants – often the most natural looking way to replace missing teeth. Implants also do not involve adjacent teeth meaning you can keep your surrounding dentition healthy. Dental implants can sometimes be a more expensive option.
• Dental bridges – whilst these can look extremely natural they often involve trimming away of some of the adjacent teeth in order to support the tooth replacement. Usually  a medium cost option.
• Dentures – modern cosmetic dentures can be an excellent way to replace missing teeth, however many people dislike the fact that they are removable. Usually the lowest cost option to replace missing teeth.

Dental implants are unfortunately not covered by the NHS so any treatment to replace missing teeth with implant will need to be sought privately. There are a few training facilities around the UK which offer either free or low-cost dental implants, these usually involve being part of dentist training as they learn the implant procedure. However, rest assured all of the dentists are fully qualified dentists and will be doing additional postgraduate training on dental implants.

There has been much research into the survival and prognosis of dental implants. Large-scale studies have shown that implants typically have between 96.7 and 97.5% survival rate over 7 years for a single tooth. This is slightly lower at 93.6% for implant restorations containing multiple teeth. Over a ten-year period a study of 5515 dental implants showed a survival rate of 92%. These statistics show the dental implants are highly likely to last a good number of years, and in many cases could last a lifetime if well looked after.

References:

• Boioli LT, Penaud J, Miller N. (2001). A meta-analytic, quantitative assessment of osseointegration establishment and evolution of submerged and non-submerged endosseous titanium oral implants. Clin Oral Implants Res 12:579-588
• Lindh T, Gunne J, Tillberg A, Molin M. (1998). A meta-analysis of implants in partial edentulism. Clin Oral Implants Res 9:80-90

No. You will always be fully numb before any invasive treatment is undertaken, this means you will be able to feel anything at all. We can even offer a little topical gel which is applied to your gum prior to the anaesthetic injection, this makes the injection comfortable as well. After the dental implant has been placed you may find there is some initial discomfort as the sensitivity comes back, this can extend for a week or so as the surgical site begins to heal. We usually find that any pain can be easily dealt with using over-the-counter painkillers.

A good tip is to stay ahead of the pain with painkillers, rather than try to chase it. If you let pain build up then painkillers find it more difficult to work, it’s far better to keep any discomfort and pain manageable by taking painkillers according to the dentist instructions.