When it comes to dental implants in Richmond, London, Dr Harmit Kalsi and the team here at Sheen Dental, have been successfully performing the treatment for many years. During this time we’ve found that many of the same questions are always being asked prior to treatment. With this in mind, we have put together an article based on all the important ‘stuff’ you really want to know about dental implants and the procedure. So without further ado, here are some of the top questions.
What exactly are dental implants?
Dental implants are a permanent replacement for broken or missing teeth and are an alternative to dentures. They come in three parts and are made up of the implant itself (the titanium screw-like rod which attaches to the jaw bone) the abutment, and finally the prosthetic crown. Titanium is used because it is one of the few materials which fuse with bone tissue making for a strong and sturdy platform upon which to sit the porcelain crown.
How long does the procedure take?
Whether you undertake a dental implant in Richmond, London, or indeed anywhere else in the country, it isn’t a procedure that can be completed in one sitting. Even though the surgical part (the fixing of the titanium rods) may only take a couple of hours, patients then have to wait for osseointegration (bone tissue fusion) to take place, before the dentist can move onto the next phase which is attaching the abutment. Again a further wait is needed before finally attaching the prosthetic crown. In essence this whole process can take somewhere between 3-9 months to complete, depending upon the patient’s rate of bone growth and it’s ability to regenerate and fuse with the implant itself.
What’s the age limit for a dental implant?
Almost any person is a candidate for a dental implant and it isn’t determined by age. The presence of certain chronic diseases may be a deterrent, but with the advent of bone grafting technology, it isn’t impossible. Uncontrollable diabetes, heavy smoking, and drinking could cause problems with bone growth. However provided that these issues were strictly managed, then there is no reason why people in these groups should be prevented from having dental implant surgery.
How much do they cost?
Dental implant treatments don’t come cheap. In fact as a ball park figure you’ll be looking at a fee of somewhere between £800 and £2000 per tooth depending upon what needs to be done. However as already explained the procedure is a long and complex one involving many stages and several visits. For this reason, there’s the clinician’s time to be taken into consideration as well as the expensive materials that make up the implant such as the semi-precious metals, titanium and porcelain. Having said all of this what you may want to consider is that they are an investment, a permanent solution if you like to your broken or missing teeth. Once fitted they have the ability to increase quality of life and boost self confidence levels.
So there you have it, some of the answers to the top questions about dental implants you really need to know. For further information about dental implants in Richmond, and how they can change your life then speak to Sheen Dental on 020 8876 5277 or visit the website at www.sheendental.co.uk