Dental implants are considered by many to be the most innovative and effective way to replace missing teeth. They can help you achieve a functional and aesthetically pleasing smile once again, leaving behind the issues and embarrassment that can be associated with missing teeth. For many people, implants have been truly life-changing.
A dental implant is a titanium screw placed within the jaw bones, onto which an abutment is then attached to replace single teeth, multiple teeth or entire arches of teeth. They can also be used to enhance the fit of existing dentures or in conjunction with new dentures.
They were first placed in a live patient by Dr. Branemark in 1965 and are widely regarded as the gold standard treatment modality in replacing missing teeth or enhancement of retention of removable dentures
Not only do they provide a more sophisticated, better tolerated alternative to dentures but they restore up to 90% of the original function of your teeth and negate the need for preparation of your own teeth to support bridges.
Preparation of healthy teeth to support bridges in the replacement of missing teeth not only results in the loss of healthy tooth structure, but it also risks the need for future root canal treatment of your prepared teeth (c.20% risk). Utilising natural teeth to retain bridges to replace missing teeth also increases the load on these teeth and can make it more difficult to clean around the margins, with a risk of decay and gum disease as a result.
Considering the fact that implants usually last longer than conventional bridges, they often represent a better financial investment over your lifetime as will hopefully require replacement less frequently.
Functionally, implants also feel much like natural teeth. There is no looseness when you talk or eat, as can be the case with dentures, and you have fewer dietary restrictions - crunchy salads, chewy treats and food you bite into, like apples, are back on the menu again!
We are absolutely delighted to offer our patients referral to highly skilled, peripatetic Implant Surgeon, Dr. Vishal Patel, who expertly places implants from our Woodbridge site, where we also have access to a CBCT scanner to provide highly accurate volumetric analysis of the bone levels present at potential implant sites.
The implant assessment will be undertaken by Dr. Muneezeh Shahid, after which the findings of your CBCT scan and this assessment will be passed onto Dr. Patel, who will review suitability for treatment and contact you in person to discuss treatment options, treatment cost and organise treatment, should you elect to proceed.
Based upon glowing reviews from his patients and the fact that he has placed over 4,000 implants since 2017, with a 98% success rate from the 659 he placed last year alone, we have unwavering confidence in the ability of Dr. Patel to provide outstanding care for our patients. Not only can he provide single implants for implant retained crowns or multiple implants for implant retained bridge or linked crowns, but also more complex cases, such as full-arch restoration (all-on-four, all-on-six or "teeth-in-a-day"). This procedure entails replacement of a full arch of failing or missing teeth with titanium implants in a single appointment. These are then immediately restored with an aesthetically pleasing fixed bridge, negating the need to wait months for healing and providing you with an immediate, natural-looking smile at the same appointment.
Conventionally, once the implant(s) has/have been placed, there is a process of healing, where the bone and the implant integrate, lasting twelve weeks. Once the implant(s) has/have healed, imaging in the form of an intraoral scan or a conventional dental impression will be taken and is sent to a dental laboratory. A top-grade Zirconia prosthesis is then constructed and which is duly attached to your implant(s), offering exceptional tooth replacement that is aesthetically pleasing, fully restored and made to last. The restoration phase of implant treatment can be undertaken at the Leiston practice, to avoid the need for further travel to Woodbridge if this is your preference, otherwise it will be undertaken by Dr. Muneezeh Shahid at the Woodbridge practice.
Moving forwards, our team will support you to help maintain excellent oral health, ensuring your implants are in good order and lasting for as long as possible. If there are any issues with the implant itself, we can ensure you are referred back to Dr. Vishal Patel or we can provide treatment recommended by him, depending on the problem. Such problems are fortunately seldom encountered, but it’s important to know that expertise is on-hand in the event of anything unforeseen.
If you are suffering with lost teeth, a failing dentition or perhaps you are fed up with uncomfortable dentures, please call our team today on 01728 561873 to arrange your consultation. Your short journey to a new smile and a fully functional mouth is just a few steps away!
