Missing and damaged teeth are a common problem for many people. If you are missing your natural teeth you may find that there are other things you miss too.

Missing and damaged teeth are a common problem for many people. If you are missing your natural teeth you may find that there are other things you miss too. You may miss your natural smile or not being able to eat the food you desire. Some people experience muscle strains and discomfort as the remaining teeth shift. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

A dental implant is a small man-made titanium screw that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. The implant is placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw and allowed to bond with the bone and serve as an anchor for the replacement tooth. Dental implants can be used to replace a single lost tooth or many missing teeth. Implant-supported replacement teeth look, feel and function like natural teeth. Dental implants are a proven restorative option with a long clinical history. Dental implants preserve the integrity of the facial structure and reduce the inconvenience associated with tooth loss.

Anyone who is missing one or more of their teeth due to injury, disease or decay may be a candidate for dental implants. If one, a few or all teeth are missing, dental implants in conjunction with a crown or bridge can replace those teeth. Occasionally, older patients express concern that their age may prevent them from enjoying the benefits that dental implants offer. However, health is more of a determining factor than age. If you're healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you're probably healthy enough to receive dental implants.

Most patients report that there is very little discomfort and that they were much more comfortable following the procedure than they anticipated. Dental Implants are placed in a very gentle fashion and care is taken to the various tissues involved. Anesthesia and patient sedation are used to eliminate any discomfort during the procedure.

The benefits of implant treatment include appearance, the enhanced ability to chew and enjoy your food, and often protection of your remaining teeth and jawbone. Dental implants offer many benefits never before available for the treatment of missing teeth. In short, dental implants will look, feel and function like your real teeth.

Treatment time will vary depending on your particular situation. Nowadays it is often possible to get well-functioning and aesthetic looking teeth within a few days. In some cases it may be necessary to wait longer before finishing the restoration in order to obtain an optimal result.

It is important for you to know that you do not necessarily need an implant for each missing root. Some additional procedures may be required prior to the placement of your dental implants to ensure the long-term health of your dental implants.

Nobel Biocare who produce Dental Implants have been established since the 1960’s with a wealth of research behind them. Dental bridges supported by implants have been shown to last over 15 years in 90% of cases. We have every indication that they will last for much longer. Most patients can expect them to last a lifetime. The first patient received his dental implants more than 40 years ago and they are still functioning today.

Maintaining care of the implants will help to assure the long-term success of your treatment. You will be responsible for daily plaque removal, which can be accomplished through brushing and flossing around your restoration.

Dr Erdal is implantologist at the clinic Clinic, with over 20 years of experience in this highly specialised field and is highly experienced and exacting in placing and restoring dental implants.

Bone may be successfully grown in the sinus space above your upper back teeth allowing implants to be placed. Bone from other areas of the mouth is placed into these empty areas and over a period of time this is replaced by new bone thus providing a bed into which implants can be fixed.

If the amount of bone is adequate, some surgeons prefer to place the implants at the same time as the grafting procedure. Whatever type of bone is added to it must be left to mature before implants are placed or brought into function. If the implants are placed as a secondary procedure (depending on the amount of bone being grown and the nature of the graft material used), they can be inserted after four to nine month, although occasionally it may be necessary to wait longer.

As with other bone grafting procedures the implants are left to become firmly attached to bone. Commonly a slight extended healing period is chosen with an average of 3 to 4 month before a denture or crown and bridgework is fitted. However, all bone grafting is unique to each individual and this information is for guidance only.

Despite the thoroughness of the planning, extra procedures are sometimes required during treatment to produce the best result. It is important that in this event you accept that appropriate alternative treatment performed at the time of treatment although it may be different to that already planned.