Implants

Dental implants offer one of the most effective and long-lasting ways to replace either a single missing tooth, several missing teeth or all of the upper and lower teeth. They can also be used to stabilise a denture. The system we use can be tailored so most patients can have replacement teeth that look and function just like natural teeth.

A dental implant is a durable titanium post that is carefully placed under local anaesthetic and then left to heal. When healed, the implant acts as a substitute tooth root and provides firm support for a crown or bridge.

Benefits

• Unlike ill-fitting dentures, which can have a tendency to move around uncomfortably in your mouth, implants stay firmly in place.
• Implants help protect the jawbone by keeping it stimulated, and prevent existing teeth from moving around.
• Implants eliminate speaking and chewing problems that may be caused by missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures.
• They can provide a significant boost to your confidence by restoring your smile.

Treatment steps

• We carry out a full assessment of your general health, how your teeth fit together, your oral health and the density of your jaw bone. If we discover you have insufficient bone volume, you may need a grafting procedure to allow for the successful placement of implants.
• The titanium posts are placed in the bone under a local anaesthetic using a relatively simple surgical procedure.
• Titanium is very well tolerated by the body so, over a few months, the implants will bond with the bone – a process known as osseointegration.
• Once settled in and fully healed, we can fit replacement teeth to the now firmly positioned implants.

Harj uses the BioHorizons dental implant system as it is consistently reliable and has extensive scientific data. You can learn more about this system from the BioHorizons website – http://biohorizons.com/patients.aspx

Aftercare

You need to maintain meticulous oral hygiene following treatment to ensure your implants remain trouble-free. If well looked after, with a regular brushing and flossing routine, they can last for many years.

You should also attend regular check-ups so your dentist can make sure your implants stay in optimum condition and we recommend you see the hygienist to keep your gums healthy and reduce the risk of developing inflammation and ‘gum disease’ (peri-implantitis) around your implants.