Dental Implants Birmingham

Dental implants are the best way to replace most missing teeth. For dental implants in Birmingham, our team of highly skilled dentists will help you to smile confidently, bite into an apple, taste your food and can even prevent bone shrinkage in your jaw therefore delaying one of the signs of ageing.

Dental implants replace the missing tooth root and form a stable foundation for the replacement teeth that look, feel and function like your natural teeth. Implants can be used to replace single teeth, several teeth or even a complete jaw, they can also be used to stabilise dentures from moving. The benefits of dental implants over conventional methods of tooth replacement include the preservation of the gum and the supporting bone. They will help distribute force over your remaining teeth and therefore may lengthen the life span of your remaining teeth. Alternatives like bridgework involve cutting down neighbouring teeth and dentures are often uncomfortable to wear.

At Scott Arms Dental Practice Dr Philip Tangri is one of the leading dentists in the country with over 20 years experience in dental implants and has placed many thousands of implants over this period of time. He has received his diploma in dental implants from the Royal College of Surgeons and he uses the latest technology. Dental implants give you the ability to smile, laugh, speak and eat with confidence.

Dental Implants

Frequently asked questions about dental implants

Q. What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium screw which is placed in the upper or lower jawbone. The implant acts as a root to support crowns, bridges or dentures which are intended to replace one or more missing teeth.

Q. How long do implants last?
With routine check ups and the following of home care instructions as advised by your dentist, implants should last many, many years.

Q. What is the success rate of implants?
The success rate is 96% in a healthy person. Should an implant fail to integrate, we will replace it at no extra cost should this be necessary.

Q. How much do dental implants cost?
The cost of a single implant is usually between £1,700 and £2,000. This is split between implant placement and the final restoration. After careful treatment planning we will be able to advise on how many implants you may need and estimate the cost involved. Be driven by the benefits not by the cost!

Q. How can I tell if I am healthy enough to have dental implants?
Generally speaking, if a person had good health and is able to undergo surgery for routine bridgework or routine tooth extractions, the same person can receive dental implants. If the patient is taking any form of medication they should alert us in the medical questionnaire that we use. There are very few medical conditions that would prevent you from having an implant.

Q. Is the placement of implants painful?
No. Implant placement is a very gentle procedure, normally carried out under local anaesthetic and, in some cases, a mild sedative.

Q. How long will the procedure take?
Approximately 20 minutes for each implant placed.

Q. Will I experience pain after the procedure?
There may be some slight discomfort and perhaps swelling for a short period which can be relieved with painkillers. Most of our patients report little or no discomfort.

Q. How will we know if the implant has worked?
In the rare case of an implant not integrating with the bone, the implant will have slight movement which the dentist will be able to detect.

Q. What will happen if the implant fails?
In most cases the implant would be replaced. We would advise you based on the clinical factors involved.

Q. Will I have to pay for the implant again?
We would only ask you to contribute to the cost if you have manifestly ignored our instructions in caring for the implant, or have not allowed us to provide remedial treatment. We offer a maintenance programme covering check ups, routine care and cover for implants starting from £8.49 per month.

Q. How long does the whole implant procedure take?
3-9 months as a general guideline. We will provide a full treatment plan and a more accurate time scale.

Q. How soon can I return to work after implant placement?
Normally after 24 hours. We will advise you- this really depends on each individual case.

Q. Do implants require special care?
Like natural teeth and gums, implants need a good oral hygiene programme and regular checks by your dentist. We will provide full written instructions on how to care for the final restoration.

Q. What area does your dental implant service cover?
we are one of the largest practices for Dental Implants Birmingham and the West Midlands area, but we do treat patients from all over England.

Q. How soon can I floss?
You can floss as soon as your teeth are fitted, it is important to maintain a very high standard of oral hygiene to ensure long term implant success.

Follow up care: Implant oral hygiene instructions
You will need to see the hygienist at regular intervals, as advised by your dentist, following completion of the implant. It's important to maintain good oral hygiene around dental implants to ensure their long term viability. The margins should be cleaned twice daily with a medium to soft toothbrush and tepe brushes used to remove debris that forms between the teeth. As part of your ongoing oral hygiene regime, you should regularly visit the dental hygienist who will help you to maintain care of your implant work.

Your genetics may predispose you to certain uncontrolled medical conditions including gum recession. It is therefore important that you maintain an excellent standard of oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene is the key to the long term success of your dental implants.

Q. What benefits are there to having dental implants?

The most natural way to replace missing teeth.
It’s your third set of teeth.
No dentures to remove at night.
Removes the need to damage adjacent teeth as in bridge preparation.
Freedom to choose from a restaurant menu.
Implants can look and feel like natural teeth.
Improves chewing ability.
Greater confidence to socialise.
Implants prevent bone loss and maintain facial structure.
Implants are more permanent than conventional crowns and bridges.

For patients who have no remaining teeth the alternatives are:

Removable upper and lower dentures.
Implants which secure their dentures in place.
Implants which support crowns or bridges.
No teeth at all.

For patients who have some of their own teeth the alternatives are:

Crowns and bridges supported by implants and/or teeth.
Partial dentures secured by implants and/or teeth.
Bridges supported by teeth.
Crowns supported by posts.

Dental Implants West Midlands

Q. What is the dental implant procedure for implant placement?

Step 1:

Examination and diagnosis including full mouth x-rays and study models.

Step 2:

Stage 1- Implants are placed in bone.
There maybe some swelling which usually disappears within 4 to 7 days.
Sutures are placed and generally removed a week later.
A soft diet is recommended initially. This is particularly important if a denture is being worn.
Implants will integrate within 2 to 6 months.
Dentures may need to be modified during this time.

Step 3:

Stage 2- Implants are uncovered. Implants are checked to make sure they are osseointegrated (that the
bone has grown around them to keep them firmly in place).
A small cap (healing abutment) is placed on top of the implant to allow the gum to heal around it.
Check x-rays are taken.
Impressions are taken for the final prosthesis (crowns, bridges or dentures).

Step 4:

Final crowns, bridges or dentures are completed and placed onto implants.

Contra-indications to treatment.

Time

Patients are encouraged to continue their normal activities, even if this involves travelling out of the country during the implant treatment. Usually the longest period of time you will need to stay close to the surgery is the time immediately after the implant placement, usually 2 to 3 days after surgery. It is important that neither the patient nor the dentist attempt to rush implant treatment. If a patient hasn’t got the time available, then it may be more sensible to consider implant treatment when the patient has more time.

Discomfort

The after effects of having implants placed are usually very mild. They may include slight bruising, dull ache, and swelling, the extent of which will vary depending upon the number of implants placed. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories may be prescribed for the patients comfort. These symptoms should disappear within a few days.

Implant care for patients

The success of your implants depends on your personal oral hygiene and regular visits to your hygienist and dentist. Professional cleaning should be carried out every three months.

It is extremely important for you to follow a daily programme of oral hygiene at home. While cleaning should be done as often as possible, the most important times are after breakfast in the morning and after your last meal in the evening.

The following recommendations for cleaning around your implant abutments should be followed twice daily:

Use a soft nylon bristle toothbrush, such as Oral B, Butler, Reach or Colgate Plus. Before using the brush, rinse the bristles with hot water to soften them.
Brush gently with anti-plaque white toothpaste.
Floss around each implant twice daily with regular dental floss or super floss, or use an interproximal cleaning device such as a tepe brush.
Rinse for at least 15 seconds with an anti-plaque mouthwash.
If you have an irrigation system, use an anti-plaque mouthwash and irrigate around each implant abutment at low speed. This type of irrigation system is highly recommended to remove plaque under your gums, which harbour toxic bacteria. Rinsing out the toxins will lessen the chances of inflammation around the implant abutment.
If you have an electric toothbrush, use it to clean the implant abutments.
It is advisable to check the inserts occasionally for a bacterial film by using a plaque-disclosing tablet. Chewing one tablet will turn your saliva red, which you should then wash around your mouth. After about a minute, discharge the saliva and rinse your mouth out with water, the bacterial film will have absorbed the colour making it easier to find and remove.
Monitor yourself at home in order to detect early signs of inflammation and contact us if you have any problems.

Smoking will significantly detract from the long term success of implant treatment, and will void any guarantees the Practice will give.

New Dental Implants

Pre-operative notes for implant patients

Please ensure that your appointment for implant placement is made on a day convenient to you. With some of the more complicated cases, you may experience some discomfort and swelling which could last for over seven days.
If you wear a denture you will need to consider your social and professional commitments if you have been told that you will not be able to wear it during the first one or two weeks after the surgery.
If you are having intravenous sedation, please follow the instructions provided.
Please ensure that you fully understand the procedure to be carried out and you have read the signed consent form.
Please take any prescribed medicine as usual.
Do not starve yourself before the procedure.

Post operative care for implant patients

For the first few days after surgery, avoid physical exertion (i.e. sports, heavy lifting etc).
Avoid alcohol for a few days as this can affect the healing tissues.
Avoid smoking for two weeks, as this will also slow down the healing process.
For the next 24 hours avoid hot drinks such as tea and coffee.
Denture wearers should discuss with me when they may resume wearing their dentures. Leaving the denture out after surgery will help with the healing of the soft tissues.
After 48 hours, rinse gently with Corsodyl mouthwash three or four times a day. This will help the wound to heal. Avoid brushing the area.
If an antibiotic has been prescribed, please take as directed and finish the course. If you appear to be having a reaction to the medication, please call your practice on 0121 357 0500.
Please maintain a fairly soft, high protein diet throughout the post- operative phase. Do not use a water pik, play with the area with your tongue, or eat hard crusty foods.
If you have a sinus lift procedure or upper posterior implants placed, please avoid blowing your nose for approximately two weeks after surgery; this will help prevent infection. Please avoid flying or swimming for two weeks after surgery and please try to sneeze through your mouth and not your nose.
It is very important that your oral hygiene and home care is maintained to the highest standard and that all hygiene appointments must be attended.
As with any surgery, the possibility of infection exists. If anything concerns you during the time implants have been placed and up to the time of exposure, please contact your practice.

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