Dental Implants
If you have lost a tooth, a dental implant can be the most natural looking and long-lasting treatment solution. Dr Hernan Morillo has been placing implants at Sycamore House Dental Practice, since 2004.
Dental implants that look and feel like a natural tooth
Implants are anchored in the jaw and do not rely on adjacent teeth for support. This means that unlike a dental bridge, implants do not place additional stress on your teeth.
Improved Function and Appearance
Dental implants help support your bite and spread the chewing forces. This means an implant can help protect your remaining teeth from excessive wear. Implants look and function like natural teeth, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
The dental implants journey
A dental implant is a surgical solution used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. The procedure involves placing a small titanium screw into the jawbone to act as an artificial “tooth root” which provides a stable foundation for a replacement tooth.
Implant consultation
Your dentist will carefully assess your bone, gums and other factors such as how your teeth meet. During this planning visit, your dentist will usually take a digital 2D or a 3D CBCT scan of your jaw. This allows for precise planning of the implant position within the jaw. Your dentist will explain the risks, benefits and alternative treatments and will also provide a treatment plan showing the cost of your implant treatment.
Implant Placement
Your dentist will numb up the area and carefully lift the gum. This allows a small void to be created in your bone to accommodate the titanium screw. The gum is then replaced over the implant and carefully stitched. Over time, the bone grows around the implant in a process called osseointegration, which helps anchor the implant securely in place.
Healing Period
After the implant is placed, there is a healing period that typically lasts 3 months, allowing the bone to fully fuse with the implant.
Abutment Placement
Once the implant is integrated with the bone, an abutment (a connector piece) is placed on top of the implant. This abutment will support the final replacement “tooth”.
Crown Attachment
Finally, a custom-made crown (artificial tooth) is attached to the abutment. This crown is designed to closely match the colour, shape, and size of your natural teeth.
Dental implants can replace single or multiple missing teeth.
Dental implants can be used to stabilise a denture by anchoring it to the jaw. If your denture is loose or unretentive, placing 2 to 4 implants will provide a stable and functional solution. The denture can be inserted and removed for cleaning or may be designed to be permanently fixed in place.
Schedule Your Implant Consultation
Restore your smile with dental implants in Bury St Edmunds.
Book your consultation today.
Dental implant FAQs
With proper care, dental implants can last a very long time even a lifetime. However, the crown attached to the implant may need replacement every 10-15 years due to normal wear.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia just like any other dental procedure. Post-surgery discomfort is typically minimal and manageable with over-the-counter pain medication. Your dentist at Sycamore House Dental will give you detailed aftercare advice and an out of hours mobile contact in case you experience any issues following your implant placement.
Healing time can range from a few days to 3 weeks for the initial recovery, but full integration of the implant with the jawbone usually takes 3-4 months.
It is advisable to avoid heavy exercise, smoking or excessive drinking immediately post -surgery to help promote optimal healing.
In most cases, there is little to no disruption to daily life & work.
Dental implants have a very high success rate, generally ranging between 95% to 98% [1]. This makes them one of the most reliable options for tooth replacement.
https://bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12903-021-01651-8
Several factors contribute to this success rate, including:
Overall health and oral hygiene: Patients who maintain good oral health and practice proper care of their implants experience higher success rates.
Surgeon skill: The experience and expertise of the dental surgeon placing the implant play a significant role in ensuring successful outcomes; careful planning is a vital initial stage.
Implant material: Titanium implants, which are the most commonly used, are biocompatible and integrate well with the bone, promoting long-term stability.
While implant failure is rare, factors like smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, or poor oral hygiene can increase the risk of complications, including infection or loss of bone around the implant.
Dental check-ups are usually painless. The examination involves visual inspection and gentle Dental implants need to be kept clean just like natural teeth. You will need to brush and floss effectively. We advise that you schedule regular visits with the hygienist to help you achieve a healthy and long-lasting outcome.probing, which should not cause discomfort. If you experience any discomfort at any point, always let your dentist know.
