Dental Implants

Dental implants are widely acknowledged to be an excellent option to replace a lost or missing tooth, and have many advantages over other available alternatives such as dentures or a bridge.

Unlike other options, dental implants are placed into the jawbone, mimicking the root of a natural tooth. This provides a strong foundation upon which a dental crown is then placed to complete the process.

The dental implant process

The actual ‘implant’ is a small screw like object which is made from titanium. This metal is used as it is the only one which will fuse with the bone once placed. It is this fusion of implant and bone which makes a dental implant a very strong option indeed.

Prior to a dental implant being placed, a consultation will be held at our Anglesey dental practice where we will discuss the treatment process with you and assess your suitability. If all looks well and we proceed, x-rays and scans will also be taken to determine the exact position where the implant will be placed.

Once the position has been determined, a local anaesthetic will be given and a small hole made in your jawbone using a precision instrument. Although this may sound like an unpleasant experience, it should be noted that the bone actually contains relatively few nerves and, with the use of a local anaesthetic, should cause no major discomfort. The implant will then be placed into the pre-prepared hole.

Following this, the gum will be then sealed and the implant left for approximately three months, possibly a little longer in some cases. During this time, a process known as osseointegration takes place whereby the bone in the jaw fuses with the titanium implant. This process ensures that the implant is held very firmly in place.

Once the osseointegration process is complete, an abutment, a type of locking device, will be attached to the implant and a dental crown attached to this, leaving the patient with a realistic looking replacement tooth that is also extremely strong and secure.

All on 4 implants for replacing a full arch of teeth

Dental implants can also be used in a process known as ‘all on 4’ or sometimes, ‘teeth in a day’.

This process can be used when a full arch of missing teeth need replacing. By placing four dental implants into the jaw, a fixed bridge can then be attached, creating a more convenient and stable solution than dentures.

Provided that dental implants are given the appropriate aftercare, they can be expected to last for at least twenty years and very often more. We will provide you with all of the information and aftercare you need to help ensure that you get the best from your new implant for many years.

Find out more about dental implants on our dedicated Valley Implant Clinic website (off site link opens in a new window)