Dental TreatmentImplants

Dental Implants

People lose teeth through many different reasons, i.e., trauma (when teeth are knocked out) or due to decay, gum disease, or old age. Whatever the reason for losing your teeth, they ideally need to be replaced, both for aesthetic and functional reasons. At Conway House Dental Practice, our friendly dentists will help you in finding the best solution for your teeth. One option is a dental implant. Other options include dentures or bridges. Dental implants are becoming a more popular choice as they provide a long- term solution, slow down bone loss, and preserve nearby healthy gum tissue.

A dental implant is an artificial substitute/replacement for the root portion of your natural tooth made of a titanium screw, anchored into a socket drilled in your jaw bone. Once the bone has healed, it can support single or multiple crowns. The benefit of an implant is, like a bridge, it is fixed in the mouth. Our fantastic Implant Specialists offer consultations to discuss this treatment further.

During the placement of a dental implant, the goal is to achieve a close contact between the outer surface of the implant and the surrounding bone tissue so they can “fuse” together (osseointegration), creating a stable support for your new tooth/teeth.
If a tooth has been lost for a long time or if the tooth to be removed has an infection on it, sometimes more bone is required to place the implant. A bone graft can be undertaken, either at a separate appointment from the implant placement or during implant placement, if less bone is needed. The graft can come from your own bone or animal origin.

Types Of Dental Implants

Here at Conway House Dental Practice, we can offer three main types of dental implants to give you a secure set of new teeth that you can eat, smile and talk confidently, all in one day. Replacing a full set of missing teeth is what we do best, and the treatments that we provide are always life-changing.

SynCone: These are implant-retained dentures using a newer technique called “SynCone.” Between 4 (lower jaw) to 6 (upper jaw), the dental implants are placed in the jawbone, which has tapered posts fitted to them. These tapered posts that are attached to the implants lock tightly into place with a coping (cap) that is fabricated into the base of the denture. This tight connection between the post and the cap helps to support and secure the denture for use on the same day.

All-on-4: The second technique is the All-on-4 implant system, where a fixed bridge or denture components are fitted on 4 dental implants. This is sometimes referred to as “fixed teeth in a day.”

Fixed implant-supported porcelain bridges: These are custom made dental bridges that can adapt to almost every situation. Usually, 6-8 implants will be needed in both the upper and lower jaw to support this bridge. They represent the gold standard in tooth replacement and offer the patient the most natural life-like feel to their replacement teeth.

Our dentist will discuss your treatment options’ pros and cons so that you can make an informed choice of the best treatment for your situation.

Commonly Asked Questions

How long do they last?

If you are fit and healthy, do not smoke, have regular check-ups and hygienist visits, the implant should last for a long time. In other words, the longevity depends on how well it is looked after. Like normal teeth, dental implants can get gum disease and lose their supporting bone and fall out. If a patient has gum disease, we must work together to resolve it prior to dental implants. The false tooth crown on top of the screw can suffer from wear and tear. It may require replacement every 10 years or so. The cost of the replacement would be much less than the initial cost of the implant.

Does it hurt?

Dental implant treatment is usually carried out under local anaesthesia, but we also offer IV sedation for nervous patients, making the experience much more relaxing. It is normal to have some discomfort after the treatment, managed with over-the-counter painkillers. If you require a bone graft or multiple implants, there may be a little more swelling and discomfort. If you have any concerns, you can call us at Conway House Dental Practice at any time for some advice or to make a review appointment.

Why should I come to Conway House Dental for my implants?

Implants can be placed by any dentist, even after a short weekend course. We have two Specialist Dentists at Conway house, who can place your implants armed with vast experience and expert knowledge to ensure you are getting the care you deserve. Besides, they use world-renowned implant systems to ensure that the screws are safe, work well, and be accessed if needed by a dentist anywhere in the world if maintenance work is required.

How do I know if I am eligible for dental implants?

Dental implants can be placed in patients of any age (with fully developed jawbones), provided that they have a sufficient quantity and quality of bone tissue. Most healthy individuals that maintain a good oral hygiene program are suitable candidates for dental implants. Circumstances, where implants may not be appropriate, include heavy smokers, excessive alcohol intake, periodontal gum disease, and immuno-compromised individuals (steroids, auto-immune disease, patients undergoing radiation treatment), and teeth grinders (bruxism).

Can you tell me more about how the treatment is undertaken?

Implant treatment varies from person to person, but below is a basic timeline of 5 phases:

Phase 1: Assessment
This is where the treatment is discussed, x-rays, and photos are taken. We may need to take 3D imaging too

Phase 2: Extraction
Usually, the tooth is removed first prior to implant placement, as this is the most predictable way of doing the treatment. However, in certain circumstances, the extraction and implant screw can be placed on the same appointment.

Phase 3: Implant screw placement
3 or more months after the graft is placed. 1-2 weeks after implant placement, the stitches are removed, and we check everything is going to plan.

Phase 4: Implant crown placement
3 or more month’s after implant placement, we can attach the false tooth/teeth to the screw(s)

Phase 5: Maintenance
We need to see you for regular check-ups to ensure your implant is healthy, and no maintenance work is required.

Missing teeth will no longer hinder your smile because Conway House in High Wycombe provides you with an amazing dental implant service. These dental implants are of high quality, and our experts have well-developed skills for placing these implants in your mouth.

So, if you have a missing tooth and need to get it fixed, visit Conway House Dental Practice, or call at our reception to book an appointment today.