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Dental Implant FAQs

Dental implants information | All about dental implants

Here, you can find answers to some of the more common questions about getting dental implants.

Questions about getting dental implants

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small titanium screw that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. Dental implants can be placed in either the upper or lower jaws. Due to the biocompatible properties of Titanium, the individual dental implants fuse with your jaw bone and become a solid anchor for your replacement dentures. Dental implants can be used when replacing single teeth and multiple missing teeth.

Why choose dental implants?

There are a number of reasons why you should consider a dental implant:

Without the root structure of a natural tooth present, the jawbone can shrink. This situation is at its worst when you lose all of your natural teeth. This shrinkage will make your face look older and wearing dentures an uncomfortable and embarrassing task particularly in the lower jaw.
The dental implant is stable, secure and comfortable. No adjustment is needed after placement. Normally, it will last your lifetime.

Benefits of dental implants and denture stabilisation:

Restore proper chewing just like natural teeth allowing a better diet and improved health.
Improve your speech and confidence.
Improve your sense of taste because less denture base is needed.
Improve denture comfort with less irritation of gum tissue.

Are dental implants successful?

Since they were developed in the 1960s, the use of dental implants has been investigated in thousands of scientific studies.

With more than three decades of clinical experience and millions of patients treated worldwide, the long-term studies observing dental implant solutions clearly confirm a high success rate of over 95% for individual dental implants. Just like natural teeth, dental implants also require regular check-ups and conscientious oral hygiene (see Implant Care).

Appropriate care, together with good treatment planning and correct insertion of the implant, is one of the most important requirements for long-term success.

Who will insert my dental implants?

The implant dentists at our denture stabilisation clinics have many years' experience in placing dental implants. Only a specialist dental implantologist can place implants in your jaw. Only dental professionals who are appropriately trained should restore dental implants.

How much do dental implants cost?

The fee for denture replacement with dental implants depends on several factors. The costs consist of:

The number of dental implants to be inserted
The type of dentures placed on the dental implants
Building up of the bone (only needed in special cases)

A specific fee/estimate can only be given after a thorough diagnostic examination of your mouth and the implant dentist has recommended the treatment that is best for you.

What risks are associated with dental implants?

Patients who have medical or other conditions that may interfere with the healing process of either their bones or soft tissues (e.g. connective tissue disorders, steroid therapy, bone infections, cigarette smoking) must carefully evaluate, with a dental implantologist, the potential risks and benefits of using dental implants.

Will dental implants work for me and my dentures?

Anyone who is missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease or tooth decay may be a candidate for dental implants. The determining factor is the amount of available jawbone. A dentist or dental implantologist is the best person to evaluate whether denture implants are a viable solution to stabilise your dentures.

Depending on the situation it may be possible to load the denture implants immediately after placement and attach the final denture. However, since the long-term success of the implants should be the main priority in every implant treatment, this decision can only be made after the implant dentist has carefully considered your individual situation.

If your new denture cannot be attached immediately then the choices are as follows:

Your existing denture can be modified and worn while your dental implants heal.
A temporary denture may be placed until the time is right for the connection of your new dentures to the dental implants.
Your new dentures may be worn and the denture implant components fitted after implant integration.

What if I already have dental implants?

If you already have dental implants and you wish to undergo an oral assessment for further implant placement, it is imperative that a Dentist/Implant surgeon examines your mouth so that a personal treatment plan developed. This ensures only the highest standards of care are provided, that your treatment is planned correctly and that our Clinical Dental Technicians work to a prescription. All Changing Faces Denture Clinics are based in Dental Practices which enables us to easily access the skills of a Dentist and provides a reliable referral path to a Dental Implant Surgeon. Alternatively, you can ask your own Dentist or Dental Implant Surgeon for a referral to our clinic.

Is my age a problem?

Occasionally, older patients express concern that their age may prevent them from enjoying the benefits of dental implants. However, your health is more of a determining factor than your age. Certain diseases and health issues may contraindicate dental implant treatment.

Our partner implants dentist will determine if you are a candidate for dental implants after a careful evaluation of your dental health and medical history.

Questions about your treatment

How long will it take to get my dental implants?

We use techniques that help reduce the healing time and any discomfort normally associated with traditional dental implant surgical techniques.

The conventional process can take from three to six months. First, the dentist places the dental implants, which are left for three to six months to heal and integrate with the jawbone. During the healing period you can use your existing dentures until your replacement dentures are put in place.

Although there are various implant treatment methods a typical treatment plan for implant dentistry would include:

Assessment and planning - At your first appointment your implant dentist will assess the feasibility of implant placement. Preliminary impressions of your mouth may be taken along with X-rays. A detailed written plan will then be prepared showing the sequence of treatment and the costs.
Implant placement - The dental implants are placed under sterile conditions in a dental surgery using local anaesthesia (may be combined with conscious sedation). Discomfort from the procedure is usually minor. Depending on the complexity of the case the minor operation may take from 1 hour for two implants in the lower jaw to several hours for multiple implants in your upper and lower jaws.
Healing and Integration period - A modified diet may be suggested for a while during the healing phase. This will help reduce pressure on the healing gums. A period of 3 months or more may be needed for the dental implants to fully integrate before your replacement denture is attached. Your own denture can be worn during this period.
Denture replacement phase - Once firmly integrated the dental implants are uncovered and small component is attached to the implant body. These component heads sit neatly above your gum line. They vary in shape and may be flat or ball shaped. Attachments placed inside your replacement dentures snap firmly onto the heads of the dental implants, securing your dentures in place.
The procedure chosen depends on several factors, such as your dental health, the amount of jawbone and what type of restoration is to be placed. These factors will also determine the total number of visits you will need to make to our denture stabilisation clinic throughout the treatment period.

Will I benefit from new replacement teeth, straightaway?

Depending on your individual treatment, it may be possible to attach your new dentures to your dental implants immediately after they have been inserted. However, the long-term success of the implants is our main priority for every patient, and we will only make this decision after the implant dentist has carefully considered your case.

If your new denture cannot be attached immediately, the choices are as follows:

Your existing denture can be modified and worn while your dental implants heal
A temporary immediate denture can inserted until the time is right to attach your new dentures to your dental implants
Your new denture may be worn as a removable denture, and attached after your implants have had further time to fuse with your jaw bone.

Is dental implant treatment painful?

With any type of surgery you can expect some discomfort. Placing one dental implant normally causes less discomfort than placing several. Anaesthesia and sedation are commonly used to help reduce any discomfort during the dental implant process. Most of our patients are often surprised at how little discomfort they experience during and after implant treatment. The implant dentist will prescribe medications to ease any discomfort that may occur.

How will I feel after treatment?

It is normal to have some bruising and swelling in the gum and soft tissues of your mouth. Any discomfort can be treated with ordinary painkillers

Questions after treatment

How will dental implants affect my life?

Dental implant supported replacement dentures look, feel and function like natural teeth. This means that you can eat and drink whatever you choose. But most importantly, dental implants often improve quality of life by allowing you to bite, smile and talk with your dentures without worry.

People who have felt embarrassed and worried because of their denture problems are often amazed by what dental implants can do for their self-esteem

Will my new implant retained dentures look natural?

When dental implants are used in combination with our technical know-how in denture fabrication your appearance, comfort and ability to bite and chew are very likely to exceed your expectations. Dentures are often hard to tell apart from your natural teeth.

Will I be able to chew like I did with my natural teeth?

Following a brief adaptation period, chewing capacity is comparable to that of natural teeth. You should be able to eat well with no little or no problems.

How should I care for my dental implants?

Your new denture implants must be cared for and checked regularly, just like your natural teeth. Your dental implants will need to checked by a dentist every six months or more frequently if so advised. See our Implant Care page for more information.

Treated by your own denture expert

If you are experiencing total tooth loss, the good news is you can visit one of the Changing Faces® Denture Clinics directly without having to first see a dentist. Your dentures will be designed and fitted by the clinical dental technician who also provides your treatment.

Call us today for your FREE personal consultation

Looking for more dental implant information? Contact us to book your discreet, complimentary appointment and find out more about dental implants with Changing Faces or head back to the start by clicking dentures to view our video.