A titanium dental implant is a small, screw-like post made of medical-grade titanium that is surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as an artificial tooth root. It serves as a stable foundation to affix a dental crown for tooth replacement.
The reason titanium is the material of choice is due to its exceptional biocompatibility, meaning it's well-tolerated by the human body and doesn't cause adverse reactions. This unique property allows your jaw bone to fuse directly with the implant in a biological process called osseointegration
No. The implant and crown cannot develop decay.
Yes. Dental implants can experience gum disease in a similar way your natural teeth can get gum disease. Around a dental implant this process is called "peri-implantitis". Having active gum disease, or having had gum disease in the past does not mean you cannot have dental implants. However, your individual situation will be assessed and recommendations will be made following your consultation.
No. After provision of the local anaesthetic, you will be very well numbed up throughout the whole procedure . In fact, it is easier to numb up the site for an implant placement than it is to numb up a tooth for a filling! You will experience pressure and vibration sensations as we prepare the site for implant placement, but you will feel no pain or sharpness.
Having a dental implant placed is often more comfortable than having a tooth removed. However, it is a surgical procedure and so you will experience some mild discomfort following the procedure not dislike after a tooth is removed. You can expect to have some low grade tenderness for up to 5-7 days. Most of the time this is easily managed with over the counter pain medications.
Treatment duration differs depending on factors such as the starting situation and the procedure complexity. In most situations, a definitive implant supported crown can be completed in as little as 4 appointments over the course of 4 months. Sometimes we can provide high aesthetic provisional crowns or bridges on the day of implant surgery, meaning you can have fixed teeth sooner.
Nothing lasts forever! You can increase the lifespan of your dental implants through diligent home cleaning regimes, being a non-smoker and generally taking care of your whole mouth. Current evidence has implant 10-year survival rates around 96%. It is important to remember that should the implant crown fatigue over time, replacement is usually a simple unscrewing and replacing with a new crown.
Once fully integrated and restored, dental implants are secured in the jawbone and allow you to eat virtually any food with confidence, unlike some traditional dentures.
Implants are cared for just like natural teeth: daily brushing, flossing, and regular professional dental check-ups and cleanings.
The cost varies widely based on the complexity of the case, the number of implants, the need for additional procedures (like bone grafting), and your location. A detailed consultation is necessary for an accurate estimate. Looking at the costs page will give you a good estimate.