What is a dental implant? 
Dental implants can replace a single tooth or many teeth, and provide a permanent solution that will let you smile, laugh and enjoy your favourite foods with confidence. Dental implants are specially-made titanium screws placed in the jawbone to serve as a firm foundation for a new tooth or denture that looks and feels completely natural.
Is an implant right for you?
Implants can provide a permanent alternative to bridgework or dentures. It is virtually impossible to distinguish an implant-supported tooth from a natural tooth.
Dental implants:
- Look and feel like natural teeth.
- Allow you to speak, smile and eat with confidence – unlike many bridges and dentures that often loosen and cause embarrassment.
- Require no special care, just brushing and flossing like your natural teeth.
What are the steps to getting an implant?
If you recently lost a tooth or have full or partial dentures, you might want to consider a dental implant. Getting an implant is basically a three part process:
- An anchor – a titanium screw – is embedded in the jaw bone.
- A post is inserted into the anchor to hold an artificial tooth.
- The artificial tooth is attached to the post.
At Greville Dental, we use the latest technology available in dentistry, in planning our implant placements.
What is Guided Surgery?
Guided surgery is a procedure which initially involves a Diagnostic CBCT Scan to accurately evaluate the oral condition of the patient, it is then used to produce a Radiological Template. A further scan will then be taken with the Template in place in the patients’ mouth. The digital information provided by the scan will then be sent to a specialist laboratory where a Surgical Drilling Guide will be manufactured.
This Guide will be placed in the patients’ mouth during surgery and will provide an in incredibly high level of accuracy when placing the dental implants; especially in the case of multiple implants and implants for retained dentures or multiple bridgework.
This highly accurate method of implant placement eliminates virtually all possible risk by predetermining the optimum position and exact depth and angle of the implant.
CT scans are used because they can accurately indicate bone loss and proximity to low sinus cavities and nerve canals; panoramic x-rays can also be used for this purpose but the level of detail displayed is limited as compared with CT scans.
Without the use of a CT scan it is not possible to accurately make an assessment.
How Does Guided Surgery Assist In Implant Placement?
- Planning dental implant at the most accurate location
Seeing details of the bones and shape of the teeth tremendously help the dentist to better evaluate the treatment plan, and explain all processes to the patient more accurately.
- Reduce errors in implant placement
As the position of implant has already been planned digitally and aligned with the treatment plan, this leaves almost no room for slightest mistake.
- Reduce duration of implant surgery
Implant position has accurately been planned ahead of time. Therefore, the surgery time will be much quicker and more accurate than traditional implant surgery.
- Smaller wound and less pain
After implant surgery, the patient only left with small wound, therefore, fast recovery.
- Naturally looking tooth
Tooth shape and size has been digitally calculated for the appropriate proportion depending on condition of gums and bone volume before dental implant placement.
- Relax every step of treatment
The patient understands the treatment thoroughly and sees clearly from the dentist treatment plan since the beginning of treatment.
Computer Guided Implant Surgery greatly elevates implant surgery to be more efficient and truly maximize patient benefits in dental implant.
How permanent are Dental Implants?
When permanent teeth are lost, irrespective of the cause or number of teeth, dental implants give you “new lease on life.” They are superior to other choices because they are solid, secure, and aesthetic. After nearly 35 years of use, they have a 95-98% proven success rate in appropriately chosen cases.
What Dental Implants can do for you:
- Accelerate and activate your life
- Provide a foundation for teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth
- Conserve your existing natural teeth
- Support a bridge – eliminating the need for a removable partial denture.
- Provide support for a removable denture, making it more secure and comfortable.
- Improve appearance and self-confidence
- Eliminate pain when chewing food with removable teeth
- Help maintain bone structure and facial features
- Maintain a more youthful and healthy appearance.
- Allow you to eat your favourite foods again
- Provide comfort and convenience
Implant retained Dentures
A new way of life can be created for you and your dentures. You will talk without denture clatter and smile without wavering. Now is the chance to feel good about yourself; be healthier, happier and look younger. Due to Colin’s post graduate training in the UK, dental implants can be provided from start to finish at Greville Dental, and does not involve any cross referral.
