Implants

Implants are titanium screws that are placed into the bone to act as a support for a crown, bridge or overdenture. Implants require adequate bone volume to be successful. Often implants can be placed at the same time as the extraction of the tooth, if there is adequate bone and tissue. This is often the case in the front part of the mouth. In the back part of the mouth implants cannot be placed immediately following extraction because of the lack of bone. Implant placement is often delayed for at least three months in the back part of the mouth to allow the bone to reform following extraction of a tooth.

Grafting is required when there is a lack of bone or tissue to create a favourable situation for implant placement. Grafting is sometimes done at the time of implant placement if the amount of grafting is minimal. If extensive grafting is required then it will require a separate procedure. A comprehensive assessment prior to surgery will be undertaken to determine the need for grafting.

The implant will take 6 to 12 weeks to integrate to the bone. A crown can then be attached. Multiple implants can be used to support bridges to replace several teeth. A complete upper or lower set of teeth can be attached to 4 to 6 implants. Whilst crowns on natural teeth are glued, implant crowns and bridges are in most cases screwed into place and designed to be able to be removed by a dentist or specialist prosthodontist. The ability to retrieve implant crowns and bridges allows for easier future maintenance.