Dental Implant Treatments

There are numerous factors that can result in you losing your teeth ranging from lack of dental hygiene through to accidental damage and hereditary causes. Whilst patients are usually concerned by the visible impact missing teeth cause, there are additional complications that can lead to requiring a solution through dental implants.

• Difficulty Eating
• Speech impairment
• Gum and mouth irritation as a result of ill-fitting dentures
• Infection due to periodontal disease, injury or other causes
• Receding or damaged jaw-bone
• Sunken facial features

Your general dentist will ascertain the need for a dental implant and discuss the options with you prior to referring you to a Dental Implant Surgeon.

Dental implantology is an extremely complex procedure which requires special training and a skillset that is not possessed by a general dentist. While your regular dentist will be able to ascertain the need for a dental implant they will work closely with a specialist implant dentist with whom they will refer you for the creation of the treatment plan and the undertaking of the treatment itself. Once the treatment has been completed you will then return to your general dentist for ongoing care.

Dr Shahrzad Jeffery possesses a high level qualification in implant dentistry. As an extremely qualified implantologist she is highly adept in this area of expertise and as a result is the preferred referral for many practices in the area.

The time it takes to complete an implant treatment will depend upon the complexity of your individual case and will be discussed with you as part of the consultation process. It is worth noting that the procedure consists of several phases which will take place over a number of weeks.

Consultation

An initial consultation with Dr Shahrzad Jeffery will allow her to assess your case and make recommendations in relation to a treatment plan. The procedure will be discussed in detail to allow you to make an informed decision.

Surgery
There are two stages in the surgery phase of the plan. If the tooth that is being replaced by the implant is broken or damaged and still in situ it will need removing, it may be that this is completed by your general dentist or it may be carried out as part of the implant treatment programme by Dr Shahrzad Jeffery, this varies on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes an implant can be placed at the same time as the tooth is removed. If the jawbone is deficient then prior to the implant being fitted a bone graft may be required.

An implant is placed either at the same time as the tooth is removed or after a period of healing. A small hole will then be created within the bone and the titanium root of the implant will be placed within the bone. The abutment (internal screw with the crown will fit to) is then fitted to the titanium root. Once everything is in place your gum will then be stitched and allowed to heal. You will be allowed to return home to begin the healing process.

Healing
The healing phase of the treatment plan is crucial to ensuring the longevity of the implant placement. An implant placement utilising the implant system that is favoured by Dr Shahrzad Jeffery has a minimum 6 - 8 week healing time.  During this period the titanium root will fuse to the jawbone and become stronger and more stable. By the end of the healing period it will be strong enough to be loaded with the crown.

During the healing process it is crucial that you practice good oral hygiene and take care of the area to avoid introducing infection that could impede the healing process and also the progress of your treatment plan.

Crown Fitting
Once your gum has completely healed and the titanium root is structurally secure it will be time to be fitted for your new tooth. An artificial tooth will be created that is a perfect match to the colour, proportions and shape of your other teeth to give the most natural effect. This phase is done in conjunction with our lab partners utilising the latest technology to ensure the most natural and realistic result.

Generally patients are awake for the procedure however you will be administered local anaesthetic to ensure that the area is completely numb so the procedure is not painful.

In certain more complex cases, or for exceptionally nervous patients, it may be in the best interests of the patient to be sedated whilst the treatment is carried out. Dr Shahrzad Jeffery is fully qualified and experienced in sedation and this can be administered in clinic as part of the procedure – for further details please visit our sedation page.

Pain relief will be administered during the procedure to ensure that you are kept comfortable. People are often surprised how little discomfort is felt during the treatment. Post treatment pain management will be discussed as part of your treatment plan however after treatment is to be expected and will subside over the course of a few days following surgery.

If you look after your dental implants and practice a routine of good oral hygiene with regular dental check-ups, they should last many years. However, sometimes they do not last that long. They are not a ‘fit and forget’ solution and require regular professional inspection and maintenance, as well as careful daily cleaning at home.

Dr Shahrzad Jeffery will assess your needs at an individual consultation appointment, once you have been assessed she will see you for an in-depth treatment planning appointment in which your final treatment plan will be discussed and arranged.

This will include a customised treatment estimate with all costs.

It is very important that the implant and surrounding area is kept clean. For two weeks after having the implant fitted you will be advised on how to maintain and help the area heal. Antibiotics will be provided to prevent infection and we will advise you on an analgesic regimen to prevent pain and swelling.

Teeth whitening only works on the natural tooth structure, not the implant crown. The crown will be created specially for you and made to match the colour of your existing teeth, to achieve the most natural result. If you are considering whitening your teeth it is advised that you do this prior to the crown being created so that it can be matched to your new whiter smile. It is worth considering that in order to keep the colour match even you will need to maintain tooth whitening in the future or the crown will look brighter than the rest of your teeth.