Dental Implants
Losing your teeth or even only one tooth can often be a severe psychological blow. For those people who have teeth missing, wear dentures or are about to lose their teeth, dental implants offer a superb permanent alternative and a highly predictable way to restore missing or failing teeth. A dental implant is an artificial ‘root’ made of titanium, which is placed in the jawbone to support a replacement tooth or teeth in the form of a crown (for a single tooth) or bridgework or dentures (for multiple teeth). A single missing or any number of teeth can be restored with dental implants, providing a highly predictable restoration that will actually preserve and strengthen the bone as well as look and feel completely natural.
What’s your reason for choosing Dental Implants?
- No need to feel uncomfortable in public, because your smile looks different, or that your removable dentures will loosen or fall out when you talk, eat or laugh. Dental implants look, feel, fit and function like natural teeth.
- You can bite naturally and eat virtually anything you want without hesitation.
- Adjusting to removable dentures can mean struggling to pronounce everyday words. Not so with dental implants.
- Healthy teeth do not need to be ground down to support the dental implants unlike a traditional bridge.
- Tooth-supported dental bridges last five to ten years. Dental implants, like natural teeth can last a lifetime when properly cared for.
Types of Implants – What can be done?
Replacing a single tooth - A crown mounted on a dental implant is the best choice if you have a tooth missing in the upper or lower jaw. Your implant will look and feel exactly like a normal tooth. No one will ever know.
Replacing several teeth - If you have several missing teeth your jawbone will recede, giving your face a sunken appearance. Dental implants can avoid this. If you have lost multiple teeth, you may be wearing a denture or partial denture. You may be avoiding hard foods. This can be a burden. The denture may not fit well causing embarrassment or discomfort. Did you know you don't have to eat just soft foods or wear dentures? There are two dental implant based solutions: separate crowns on dental implants or a bridge attached to several dental implants.
Replacing all teeth - If all of your teeth are missing in the upper or lower jaw, you can choose a full arch bridge that is attached to dental implants. Another option is a removable denture that is attached to two or more dental implants. The denture remains securely in place in your mouth.
All on 4 – This is a new technique where a whole arch of failing or missing teeth is replaced with dental implants in a single visit. The teeth are removed and implants placed and high-quality fixed temporary teeth are fitted, on the same day. Once the healing period is completed and the implants have integrated with the bone, a high-quality, durable permanent fixed bridge is fitted.
Not enough Bone?
Bone volume and density is an important consideration when planning treatment. Any deficiencies in jaw bone structure can be resolved using a number of techniques. Three such methods are:
Bone Grafts - Those who have worn dentures for years are likely to have suffered some degree of bone loss. Others may have less bone in the first place. If teeth are lost and not replaced with a dental implant, over time the bone behind it will recede and give the face a sunken appearance. Bone grafts provide the best possible foundation for dental implant treatment. We use a mixture of your own bone and a product called Creos xenogain bone substitute by Nobel Biocare. Similar to human bone, it’s a safe, effective graft material and is readily accepted by the body. Creos acts as a framework onto which bone forming cells and blood vessels migrate. As these cells and blood vessels travel along the Creos framework, healthy new bone is formed. Once we insert bone expertly into your jaw, the bone will blend seamlessly into the surrounding tissue. Once healed, the area will be as strong as natural bone and you'll be ready for implants.
Sinus lift - Sinus augmentation is surgery that adds bone to your upper jaw in the area of your molars and premolars. The bone is added between your jaw and the maxillary sinuses, which are on either side of your nose. To make room for the bone, the sinus membrane has to be moved upward, or "lifted." This procedure, due to its complexity is only carried out by the most experienced dental implant surgeons. Sharmilla Radia and Guy McLennan are able to provide Sinus lifts at Berkshire Dental Clinic.
Zygomatic Implants - If you have been told that you have insufficient bone even with bone grafting we might be able to help. Traditional implants are fitted to the jaw bone. Instead of doing this, the Zygomatic implants are much longer than traditional implants. They are anchored in the upper jawbone, closer to the dense zygoma bone. This difference in location means that Zygomatic implants can provide a secure foundation for your dental implants in instances where traditional dental implants may not be possible. This procedure, due to its complexity is only carried out by the most experienced dental implant surgeons. Guy McLellan who is a qualified both as a doctor and a dentist is able to provide Zygomatic dental implants at Berkshire Dental Clinic.
Procedure
Implant treatment takes place over a period of time from three to nine months. Immediate implants and same day implants are possible too. Although there are various implant treatment methods, a typical process includes:
Assessment and treatment planning: Following full discussion of all possible alternatives, your dentist at Berkshire Dental Clinic will assess the suitability of providing dental implants. X-rays will be taken and models of the teeth prepared. Bone regeneration if required will be discussed and can be carried out prior to or at the same time as implant placement. A personalised written treatment plan will then be prepared detailing the treatment and costs.
Implant placement: This is a simple minor surgical procedure under sterile conditions. The treatment is performed under local anaesthesia, occasionally with sedation if required.
Integration period: Implants can take from six weeks to six months to fuse with your own bone. During this integration period, temporary dentures or bridgework can be worn as appropriate. In some cases, temporary teeth can be fixed to the implants while they integrate in a process known as ‘immediate loading’.
The restorative phase: Once integrated, the implants can be loaded with a variety of new teeth options ranging from a single crown, small or large bridge or a removable overdenture. A dental technician who works closely with the dental surgeon constructs these.
Maintenance: Following completion of implant treatment, we advise regular check-up and hygienist visits so that the health of the soft tissue, bone levels and the integrity of the restoration can be reviewed.
Other implant procedures
One-stage implant – The implant is placed into a new, healing or healed extraction site and is visible above the gum immediately after placement. The advantage of this method is that a second surgical stage is not necessary to expose the implant. The implant will not normally be ready to support a tooth for several weeks or months.
Same day implants – Several implants are placed and on the same day a complete arch of temporary teeth can be fixed in place. These temporary teeth will be replaced with a permanent bridge after a suitable healing interval.
Immediate implant – The tooth is removed and an implant placed immediately into the extraction site. A temporary tooth may be fitted on the same day as placement of an implant (immediate loading) or a few weeks later ( early loading) or several months later ( delayed loading).
Three Dimensional Thinking and Computer Aided Design:
Berkshire Dental Clinic use X- Rays taken with an (Orthopantomogram) OPG scanner, and where necessary we check for bone volume and density a with Cone Beam CT scanner.
Following high definition scans of your teeth we use Computer Aided Design (CAD) software called SimPlant to generate 3D digital models of your teeth and Jaw. Computer aided design provides us with axial, cross-sectional and panoramic views of your teeth, gums and jawline. Distances, angles and bone density measurements can be made and a planner provides an interactive 3D image of the bony anatomy with the ability to highlight the ID (inferior dental nerve) canal. This enables us to virtually place real implants from a comprehensive implant library on the software.
This allows us to plan, and rehearse the positioning of the Dental Implant (s) more effectively taking into account bone availability and density as well as aesthetics. Once the best position of the implant or implants is decided we use this data to produce a 3D printed surgical guide which is used in the actual placement surgery.
Thinking three dimensionally has dramatically changed the way we manage complex treatments for our patients. Both complex and simple implant placements are safer, quicker, and more accurate with results that are functionally better and aesthetically more pleasing.
Why Berkshire Dental Clinic
- All of our dental implant team have post graduate implant qualifications and keep up with latest developments
- Latest technology is used to make treatments safer, quicker, more accurate and functionally better and aesthetically more pleasing. Better planning reduces surgery time.
- Whilst not necessary to place dental implants Sedation is available if required.
- Premium materials including Ankylos and Nobel Biocare implants and Zirconia Crowns.
- Saturday and evening appointments.
- Don’t take our word for it – see what our patients say – see below and on our testimonials page.
Reviews
A great many of our dental implant patients come to us following a recommendation from an existing patient. If you don't know any of our patients you may be interested to hear what our patients say about us. Here are some examples of reviews of our dental implants at Berkshire Dental Clinic or our sister practice Croft Dental Centre.
“I was faced with the imminent collapse of three contiguous front teeth and dreaded the prospect of a denture. The underlying cause of my difficulties was a missed-developed underbite and much work had to be done to correct it. The rectification was so beneficial and gave me such confidence in my clinician's expertise that I was inspired to opt for implant replacements.
This trust could not have been more completely vindicated: it was all worth every penny but the sensitivity, diligence and moral support I received during the course of treatments were beyond price.
I live very locally and through multiple changes of ownership I had already been a patient here for over three decades, so was actually inherited by the clinic. For this, I thank my lucky stars. Under this ownership not just are my teeth transformed but even the way I think about them.”
“I am having implants fitted which involves the removal of four teeth, the placement of a temporary denture and associated oral surgery, including bone graft. This was conducted last Friday afternoon in a marathon session. Everything had been planned and explained to me, in writing and verbally. Appropriate medication was provided afterwards with clear
instructions as to use, along with the opportunity to contact the dental surgeon in the ensuing days. This I did, as I was concerned about the degree of swelling and discomfort. The extent of discomfort , rather than pain, must not be underestimated. This leads to an immediate change in diet, to soft, crushed, tepid, foods and non alcoholic drinks. It is vital to retain ones belief that the long term benefits outweigh the short term discomfort. It is also a good idea to think in terms of giving oneself a few days off work whilst the trauma settles down. I had the weekend, but it was not enough. I cannot fault the treatment and levels of patient attention.”
“I had two implants a couple of days ago. Sharmilla performed the procedure and I am glad to say that it all went very smoothly. I would recommend this practice without hesitation in the manner of their service and professionalism displayed. “
For more up to date reviews see our testimonials pages here.
Smile Gallery - Examples of our work:
These are examples of dental implants placed at Berkshire Dental Clinic or our sister practice Croft Dental Center.
Two Ankylos dental implants were placed to replace the missing upper premolar teeth and restored with a porcelain bridge. A new crown was constructed on the upper right molar tooth giving the patient an aesthetic and functional solution.
Patient attended with multiple loose upper teeth and multiple missing lower teeth. The upper arch was restored with a zirconia bridge supported by six Ankylos dental implants. The lower arch was restored with a partial cobalt chromium denture.
Missing upper teeth restored with an upper partial denture retained by four Ankylos dental implants.
This patient's upper right central tooth was restored with a new crown supported on an implant to provide a much improved smile.
Our Dental Implant Dentists Are:
Kripa Sharmilla Radia BDS Lond 1995 DGDP 1998, Dip lmpDent RCS (Eng) 2018
GDC membership number: 71041
Sharmilla qualified from Guy’s Dental School, London University in 1995 with a distinction in Oral Pathology, Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine. She is the practice principal. Sharmilla has a special interest in dental implants and is a member of the Association of Dental Implantologists UK. Sharmilla has passed the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons Diploma in Implantology. See her full profile here.
GDC membership number 6988
His experience in implants dates back to 1994 and includes extra-oral implants to retain facial cosmetics/reconstruction following facial cancer surgery as well as intra-oral cancer rehabilitation and facial deformities such as cleft lip and palate. He continues to work as a member of the Cranio-Facial team at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. In private practice he limits his practice to surgical implantology and augmentation procedures including complex intra-oral and extra-oral grafting. He is a mentor for Nobel Biocare and is actively involved in Implant education. He is a member of the Association of Dental Implantology (ADI), the European Association of Osseointegration and a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He is a mentor for Nobel Biocare and the ADI.
Please call Berkshire Dental Clinic on 01344 777399 for a free personal consultation with Sharmilla who will provide a no obligation quote. We have finance options available and there is a discount for patients who join the patient Care plan.