East Midlands Implant Centre Nottingham

Tel / Fax: 0115 9825758


home

your implantologist common treatments price guide | more information | find / contact us
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

frequently asked questions

Below are some typical questions that you may have ...

   

- What is a dental implant?

- How are implants used?

- What else can be done with dental implants?

- I have teeth missing, am I suitable for dental implants?

- Do I need to have a healthy mouth?

- I lost my teeth many years ago, can I still have implants?

- Can dental implants preserve bone?

- I grind/clench my teeth is that a problem?

- What can you do if an implant does not work?

- How long does treatment take?

- Are the new teeth joined together?

- How do I look after the implants?

- How long will the implants last?

- What should I know before I start treatment?

- Do I have enough bone for dental implants?

- What are barrier membranes?

- Can dental implants be placed next to natural teeth?

- Is it uncomfortable when the implants are uncovered?

- Is it uncomfortable when the implants are placed?

- Can I have treatment under sedation?

- Is it uncomfortable when the implants are restored?

- What is sinus augmentation?

- If I do not have enough bone what can be done?

- What is particulate bone graft (autograft)?

- What is onlay grafting (autograft)?

- What are same day implants?

- What is augmentation (allograft)?

- One stage or two stage implants?

- What is osteogenesis distraction?

- What are mini implants?

- What is an immediate implant?

 

- Can the implants be placed at the same time as bone      grafting/augmentation/sinus augmentation?

- Will I have the appearance of teeth during the course of implant treatment?

- Does bone grafting/augmentation affect the length of treatment?

- What anatomical structures must be avoided during the placement of dental implants?

 

What is a dental implant?

During the last forty years the use of dental implants has changed dentistry beyond recognition.  Implants are no longer considered experimental but are now used routinely the World over to replace a missing tooth or teeth.  In fact, in the United Kingdom we have been slow to use these newer treatments and trail behind most of Europe in their use. They are, of course widely used in the USA.

 

In many situations dental implants are the first choice for treatment as they offer the best answer when all the advantages and disadvantages of different treatments options are considered.  It is rare to come across situations where they cannot be used at all.  John Grummitt has been placing dental implants since 1991 at Compton Acres Dental Practice, West Bridgford, Nottingham.

 

The dental implants John uses today are made from titanium, a material that has been shown for over forty years to be well tolerated by bone.  “Osseointegrated” implants are dental implants that have “joined up” with bone in order to support replacement teeth.  John does not recommend other types of implants as they do not have the same predictable and proven success rate over such a long period of time.

 

A dental implant is essentially a substitute for a natural root.  The implants John uses are a cylinder shape with a screw thread. Each implant is placed into a socket carefully drilled at the precise location of the intended tooth. The main aim during installation of any implant is to achieve immediate close contact with the surrounding bone. This creates an initial stability, which over time is steadily enhanced by further growth of bone onto the microscopic roughness on the implant surface, when it fuses with the implant surface – ‘Osseointegration’.

 

In order to support replacement teeth, the dental implants we use have an internal screw thread  that allows a variety of components to be fitted. Once fitted, these components provide the foundation for long-term support of crowns, bridges or dentures. < back

 

How are implants used?

Implants are used to replace missing teeth.  All the common forms of tooth replacement, such as bridges or dentures can be replaced by dental implants.

If you are missing just one natural tooth, then one implant is normally all that will be needed to provide a replacement. Larger spaces created by two, three or more missing teeth do not necessarily need one implant per tooth; however the exact number of implants will depend upon the quality and volume of bone at each potential implant site.

It is also often possible to join natural teeth to implants with a conventional bridge.

In the upper jaw, bone density is generally poorer than in the lower and if you have no teeth at all, John will want to place a minimum of 5 - 6 implants to support a complete arch of 10 or more replacement teeth.

In the lower jaw, the bone towards the front of the mouth is often very strong and as a direct result, fewer implants may be needed than are required to treat a whole upper jaw. A simple treatment plan to provide 10 or more teeth in the lower jaw might be possible with as few as 4 implants, although it is still more common to use 5 or 6.  < back

 

What else can be done with dental implants?

If you have no teeth in the lower jaw, a conventional lower denture can be considerably improved with two implants placed beneath the front section - this is called an ‘overdenture’. The same overdenture concept when used to treat the upper jaw will usually require more implants as the bone is generally softer. Implant-supported overdentures, just like conventional dentures are still removed for daily cleaning, however, once back in the mouth, the implants make them much more stable as they “lock” into place.

Dental implants have to obey simple engineering principles, in that they must be placed in strong foundations with enough of them to prevent overloading. In addition each implant must be accessible for daily cleaning so that the biology of the mouth can be used to maintain healthy surrounding bone and gum.

In certain specific situations it is sometimes possible to use ‘same day’ implants but these can only be used in a limited number of situations.  John can discuss this individually with you.  < back

 

I have teeth missing, am I suitable for dental implants?

Whatever your age, if you have good general health, then dental implants will almost certainly work for you. However, habits such as smoking can increase the number of problems associated with initial healing and thereafter may negatively influence the long-term health of gum and bone surrounding each implant.

Uncontrolled diabetes can also reduce implant success rate.

John Grummitt has successfully placed implants in patients in their eighties, in smokers and well controlled diabetics.  < back

 

Do I need to have a healthy mouth? 

When you first enquire about dental implants it is often in response to an awareness of ongoing dental problems or the recent loss of teeth. Each of these problems will need to be diagnosed and treated in a logical manner, often prior to placing the dental implants.

Although it is tempting to focus on the more glamorous aspects of teeth supported by implants, basic dental health, which includes the treatment of gum disease, repair of decay and the elimination of abscesses will be just as important for the long-term success of your treatment.

If you are aware of bad breath, loose teeth, or have noticed excessive bleeding, particularly when your teeth are cleaned professionally, you may have gum problems. Periodontal (gum) disease is a major cause of bone loss and with reduced bone; dental implant treatment can be more complicated.  John Grummitt has considerable experience in treating gum disease, having a Masters degree in periodontology and restorative dentistry.  < back

 

I lost my teeth many years ago, can I still have implants?

Whenever a tooth is lost or extracted a considerable amount of the bone that once surrounded the remaining root portion may disappear. This loss can be particularly rapid during the first few months and is described as ‘bone resorption’. Although the rate and amount of bone resorption is highly variable between individuals, it will always occur to some extent.

Many patients who have had dentures for years will report that after a while their dentures become progressively looser and do not fit as well as they once did. Initially the increased rate of bone loss following extractions is responsible for the observed deterioration of denture fit. Over the long-term it is the direct effect of chewing forces that causes slow resorption of supporting bone. Most people who have had dentures for many years will have needed a reline procedure to compensate for this bone loss. Therefore the longer dentures are worn, the more the amount of bone available for dental implants may be reduced.

Fortunately, if there is currently insufficient bone for an implant or implants to be placed there are many techniques to generate new bone or augment the existing bone so that implants can still be placed. These can be discussed in detail with you at your consultation and initial assessment stage of your treatment.

John Grummitt has helped many patients who have been missing teeth for many years by providing them with implants. In some cases they have lost their teeth over twenty years before but still been able to have implant based treatments to restore their teeth.  < back

 

Can dental implants preserve bone?

This is one of the most important features of dental implants. Once in place and supporting teeth, everyday functional forces stimulate the surrounding bone which responds by becoming stronger and denser and helps maintain the bone.  Sometimes, the simplest measure to minimise bone loss after an extraction is to place the implant immediately or within the first few weeks.

John Grummitt therefore likes to place implants at the same time as the teeth are extracted or in some situations (for example when there is an infection present) a few weeks later.  This helps preserve the bone and produces the best ends result.  < back

 

I grind/clench  my teeth is that a problem?

Bruxism - Patients who have a habit of clenching or grinding (bruxing) their teeth may be at risk of overloading their implants. For most people bruxism occurs during sleep, which is why they are generally not aware of it. Heavily worn or flattened teeth, chipped enamel edges and/or regularly breaking pieces of heavily filled teeth are the most common clinical signs of bruxism. The effects of bruxism need to be considered during treatment planning and can be compensated for by placing additional implants, selecting appropriate restorative materials and providing a night time bite guard to protect the new teeth.  < back

 

What can you do if an implant does not work?

If an implant does not achieve or cannot maintain ‘Osseointegration’ with the surrounding bone it will eventually become loose and no longer be able to support replacement teeth and may have to be removed.

The 3i Osseotite implant currently used by John Grummitt is one of the most successful and widely used implants in use in the World today.  Their published success rates are 97.2% at five years from placement of the implant and 99.4% success at five years from when the implants are brought into function in normal bone quality. However implants can fail to osseointegrate or be lost in the future. 

If you embark upon this type of treatment you have to be prepared to deal with the possibility of failure of an implant. A failure rate of less than 3% is to be expected, and it should not be forgotten that this means that 1 in 30 of the implants placed might not survive in long-term function. It is important to discuss how your treatment plan might be affected by the loss of an implant.

Commonly the failing implant can be removed and if there are enough remaining, it may not be necessary to replace it at all.  Often another implant can be placed and this one will be successful.  Occasionally alternative treatments may need to be considered.  < back

 

How long does treatment take?