Implants

Many people have had their lives transformed by having dental implants provided, so avoiding the need to wear a 'plate' to fill unsightly gaps left by missing teeth.

Brent Weller, who is on the Specialist Register for Prosthodontics, does the implant work in our practice, often working with Martin Gough on the surgical phase of the treatment.

Modern Dental Implants have become so successful and reliable that they are being used ever more frequently to replace missing teeth. For people with several teeth (or all teeth) missing, they can be used to provide support either for dentures (making them more stable), for removable bridges or for fixed bridges. The great success of the treatments nowadays means that more and more often an implant may be used to replace even a single missing tooth in preference to either a denture of a conventional type of bridge. The possibilities are numerous.

Is it possible for me to have an implant?

For an implant to be possible, it is necessary to have an adequate amount of good quality bone in a suitable position. If the possibility of implant work is under consideration, the first step is to obtain an initial implant assessment. For this you will be assessed by Brent Weller. If the outcome of the initial assessment is favourable (when broad costings can be discussed), then a more detailed assessment with special X-rays will follow, and only after that will detailed treatment plans and costs be discussed.

It is very important that implants should be placed in a healthy environment. It will therefore by vital to achieve and maintain the highest possible level of health for the gums around your remaining natural teeth. The condition of surviving teeth is also crucial since the loss of a further tooth or teeth could change your implant needs. Sometimes, in order to carry out a lengthy or complicated course of treatment, two or more of the dentists may be involved in looking after different areas of your management. In such a situation, the dentist you normally see in the practice will usually co-ordinate the overall treatment plan.