When teeth are missing, dental implants do the work of a tooth root in the jaw bone, supporting a permanent crown, bridge or denture that looks, feels and functions just like healthy, natural teeth. Implants are made from titanium, which is super-strong and well tolerated by the body. After an implant is surgically placed, the jaw bone grows back around it, creating a strong foundation for your new teeth.
Implants are…
Reliable. Once placed, the success rate of dental implants can be 98%, and is backed by decades of scientific research.
Aesthetic. Dental implants integrate with the bone and are covered by the gum. Your smile looks healthy and natural once the crown/bridgework or denture is fitted.
Conservative. Dental implants fill the gaps in your smile without the need for destruction of adjacent healthy teeth.
Life-changing. Dental implants allow you to smile, speak and eat in total confidence, without the discomfort of a denture, or the black stained margins of older crowns and bridgework. And because implants support your jawbone, you won’t experience the ageing facial sagging missing teeth can cause. Implants can transform your quality of life.
Your experienced implant dentist in Pickering
We have been offering dental implants at Birdgate Dental for more than a decade, giving our patients access to the very best solution for missing teeth. Our practice principal Dr Sarah Herbert is a highly experienced implant dentist who has carried out research on the subject for the Center for Biomaterials in Toronto, Canada, and has studied the Diploma in Implant Dentistry from the Royal College of Surgeons in London.
She also has a Master’s Degree in Restorative Dentistry from Leeds University, meaning you can access both your implant surgery and your final new teeth all under one roof, with sedation available for complex cases and nervous patients.
Dr Sarah Herbert accepts referrals for treatment of all aspects of dental implantology and restorative dentistry, including bone augmentation procedures. This includes referrals from both dentists and patients.
Your dental implant options in Pickering
Single tooth replacement – when just one tooth is missing, we’ll use a single implant to support a custom-made crown.
Multiple tooth replacement – if two or more adjacent teeth are missing, we can use as few as two implants to support a permanent bridge. You don’t need an implant for every tooth that’s missing.
Full arch replacement – we offer a range of options to replace all your upper and lower teeth, from implant retained dentures to ‘same day teeth’ systems.
Preparation procedures – if you don’t have enough healthy bone to support implants, we can carry out proven procedures, including bone grafting and sinus lifts, to create the right conditions to replace your missing teeth with implants.
Dental Implant FAQs
How does the dental implant procedure work?
Dental implant surgery is high-tech and minimally invasive. With the help of 3D scanning and a computer-guided dental laser, an implant can be placed so accurately that it involves the least possible trauma and therefore a swift recovery time. At Birdgate Dental, we also offer dental sedation for patients who are nervous or require a lengthy procedure. Once the implant has been placed, you will need to wait a few weeks for the integration process to take place – this is where your natural bone tissue grows around the implant, securing it in place for life. Once integration has successfully completed, you’ll be able to return to Birdgate Dental for the final fitting of your new tooth.
What are the advantages of dental implants?
Dental implants provide the same function, feel and look as natural teeth – so you’ll never need to compromise when it comes to eating, drinking and smiling with complete confidence. In addition, dental implants play an important role in maintaining the structure of your face: their firm position within the jawbone prevents teeth from shifting around and the jaw from shrinking – both of which cause ageing facial sagging. In short: with dental implants, you’ll stay looking youthful for longer.
Does implant surgery hurt?
No – implant surgery is usually a completely pain-free procedure and can be carried out under local anaesthetic or dental sedation – which combines sedative, analgesic and local anaesthetic. As well as making you feel sleepy, dental sedation induces feelings of contentment and relaxation, so you won’t feel anxiety. Your dentist will be able to rouse you to ask questions – but the amnesiac effect of the drugs means that most patients have little or no memory of their treatment.
How long does the implant process take?
It depends on how complex your case is, but on average, dental implants take around nine months altogether, from the initial assessment to the fitting of the final crown.
How quickly can I go back to work after implants?
Most patients can return to work within one or two days of surgery.
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