Dental Implants

A dental implant is a metal post or screw (usually made of titanium) that is surgically placed into your jawbone underneath your gums. In this way, the implant acts as a replacement for a natural tooth root. The implant will have an internal screw called an abutment that holds a false tooth or teeth in place. Once the implant is in place, we can use it to support crowns, bridges or dentures in a similar way as we would with the roots that support natural teeth.

A single dental implant can support one, or several, replacement teeth – so you don’t need to have one implant for each replacement tooth. We can also use implants to support a full or partial set of dentures. We will carefully assess how many implants are needed in your particular case.

The main aim when placing the implant is to get close contact with the surrounding bone. When the implant is placed into the jawbone, the surrounding bone will grow around and fuse onto it in a process called osseo-integration. This produces a strong foundation and allows us to fix the artificial tooth or teeth in a very stable way. Implant retained dentures are extremely stable and this secure fit makes them feel more natural than conventional dentures.

If there isn’t sufficient bone available, we may still be able to place implants with the help of bone augmentation – an established treatment used to help build up bone. In some cases, we may recommend a bone grafting procedure if you don’t have enough bone to support a dental implant.

The cost of dental implant treatment will vary depending on the treatment plan that has been developed for you. Your treatment plan will be discussed fully and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions before commencing any treatment.

For an indication of the cost of some routinely carried out implant treatments please see our fee guide.

The process of having dental implants varies from person to person, so you will need to discuss with us what will happen in your case. As a guide, it can take between three and nine months to complete the whole process.

Dental implants are fitted using the same anesthetics as you would receive for routine dentistry.

Depending on how complex your particular treatment plan is, the surgery can take anywhere between 30 minutes for a single implant to two hours for multiple implants.

As your surgery will normally involve exposing bone in the area where the implant will be placed, you can expect some minor swelling and possibly bruising after your treatment. For the vast majority of patients, the over-the-counter painkillers that you would get from a pharmacist for a headache will be adequate to relieve any discomfort. However, if you experience discomfort that is not alleviated with over-the-counter painkillers, we are able to prescribe alternative medication.

Implant treatment normally involves several stages over a period of three to nine months. Although each case is different, our typical process includes:

Assessment and treatment planning:

An initial consultation where we assess your suitability for implants as well as discussing any alternative treatment options. We will usually take X-rays to assess the available bone as well as the condition of your remaining teeth. We will then provide you with a written treatment plan which outlines the steps we will follow and the associated costs.

Investigatory scans:

If you decide to go ahead with the proposed treatment we will carry out a specialised dental CT scan known as a Cone Beam CT (CBCT). This will give us a clear indication of the volume of bone available for implant placement as well as showing surrounding structures such as nerve canals, adjacent teeth and the maxillary sinuses. We will also take an optical scan of your teeth and gums. These scans will then be used to plan the implant treatment and produce a surgical guide or template. This ‘Digital Workflow’ allows for very precise implant placement and reduces the risk of complications.

Implant placement:

A relatively minor surgical procedure which we carry out in the dental surgery. We perform the surgery under local anaesthetic and we may use sedation if required. At this stage, we will also complete any bone grafts or regeneration that is required if your underlying bone is insufficient. We will usually arrange to see you a week or two later to review the implant and remove any remaining stitches.

Impressions/Scans:

Aftercare:

Once healed, the implant is part of your body, and just like a natural tooth, it requires regular check-ups and conscientious oral hygiene. With normal, but appropriate care, the long-term function of your implant can be maintained for decades. We will meet to review the situation regularly to ensure the treatment has been successful.

At Cambria, we only use Straumann implants. Straumann is a leading dental implant company that has been researching, developing and manufacturing implants since 1974.

The Straumann® Dental Implant System is a high-quality solution for tooth replacement, offering a range of implants designed to address various dental needs. Known for its precision engineering and advanced materials, the system utilizes titanium and zirconia implants for biocompatibility, durability, and excellent osseointegration.
Straumann implants are available in different sizes and configurations, catering to single-tooth, multiple-tooth, or full-arch restorations.