Dental implant procedures performed by experienced and specialist implantologists have a 98% success rate.
Dental implant procedures are performed through the insertion of an artificial tooth root, which will act as an anchor for your implant.
The highest-rated solution to replacing one or more missing permanent teeth, implants are specifically designed to look, feel and function just like normal teeth.
So, what’s involved in the procedure? Expert implant dentist; Dr Ali Rifai advises…
Whilst it takes just two appointments to place and finish your implant surgery, there will be several appointments involved in making sure your implants work.
Your very first appointment will be a consultation with our specialist dentist to see if you qualify for the treatment.
Therefore, we will carry out a comprehensive examination to determine your oral condition and if your mouth is a good environment for the implant to succeed.
It’s during this stage that any underlying threats, conditions or infections are identified. Any decay, gum disease or bone loss will need to be fixed prior.
During the examination, the doctor will assess 56 areas of the mouth which will help to decide the most suitable form of implant dentistry for you.
During the second stage, we will take diagnostic records.
This involves taking moulds or a scan of your mouth.
In addition, a cone-beam CT scan will be completed which is a 3D X-ray that will allow us to assess the height and width of the bone, and identify any important anatomical features such as nerves.
This ensures that we place the correct type, shape and size of the implant.
In addition, we are able to use CAD-CAM technology and advanced computer software to virtually place the implant.
This helps us to plan and accurately visualise how it will look in the mouth.
This reduces the risk of problems or complications occurring after surgery begins.
The next stage is surgery.
Surgery is carried out under local anaesthetic.
Here, the implant or implants will be placed into the bone and covered up by the gum.
On the day of the surgery, we recommend that you take it easy without taking any exercise or other strenuous activity.
On the following day, we will call to check with you and answer any questions you may have.
However, you can call or message us anytime if you have questions or concerns.
We will review the progress and healing process one week later to remove the sutures and ensure that all is going well.
After you have had a few months recovering at home, it will be time to come in for your second phase of treatment.
By this point, enough time would have passed for the bone to grow around the implant and fuse with it. This makes the implant incredibly strong, meaning that will be stable enough to stay in place.
Osseointegration describes the period in which the titanium fuses and combines with the jawbone.
It’s important to bear in mind that each patient heals differently, it can take three months for some and up to six months for others.
In some cases, patients can have their replacement teeth placed in just one appointment.
Once your gums have completely healed, the dentist will begin to take impressions of your teeth in order to create a custom replacement tooth. We call these crowns, which will then be attached to the abutment.
In the final stage, we will fit your new tooth or teeth.
This is the big day where we can fix your new tooth to the implant.
Some people may want a small amount of local anaesthetic for this procedure but many are happy to go ahead without, this will be up to you on the day
We will review you 4 weeks after fitting to ensure your new customised teeth have settled in well.
For aftercare and maintenance advice read: How to look after dental implants.
Call us on 020 8224 7562 for further advice and information, or to enquire about our availability.
BACK to treatments“It feels like an absolute blessing to be able to chew food again ‘properly’. I am so thankful…
