Missing Teeth
Dental implants are an excellent long-term fixed choice used to restore a smile’s aesthetics and chewing ability.
Best Way To Replace Missing Teeth
Due to modern innovations in implant dentistry have had much success associated with this type of treatment. It continues to remain a popular choice for patients.
In some cases, additional procedures may be required, especially when teeth have been lost, such as bone or gum grafting.
The gap or space left by a lost tooth should ideally be restored. Using implants will prevent negative consequences of losing teeth, such as bone loss or neighbouring teeth moving and tilting into the left space. See Effects of Missing Teeth.
The need for further retention, support or stability leads to the desire to seek a treatment that can restore the dental disability in a most comfortable, long term and cost-effective way.
Bridges (Fixed Solution)
A dental bridge is when two teeth (abutment teeth), either side of the area with the missing teeth, anchor the artificial teeth.
A bridge is a great solution, especially when the abutment teeth also need some coverage protection too. This way, security, support and restoration are offered in the same treatment.
Patients tend to prefer this option when a speedier treatment is required. Bridges form a quick and efficient system of medicine that only takes two weeks to complete.
The treatment is also fixed in the mouth and does not need to be removed. It offers excellent aesthetics since a dental bridge has a porcelain component and can look very realistic.
However, the abutment teeth will need to be prepared and tooth tissue removed to provide the space to place a bridge over them. This level of preparation often hinders the selection of this choice.
Dentures (Removable Solution)
Removable dentures are when acrylic or metal acrylic device holds all the artificial teeth on it.
It is a removable choice to restore the gaps left by lost teeth.
Various components of the dentures, such as metal clasps, are used to anchor the denture to the remaining teeth.
When all the teeth are missing, the denture acrylic or metal (usually cobalt-chrome) is spread over a larger surface area of the mouth to gain tissue retention.
The treatment for dentures can take several visits over a few weeks.
This is the option when the rest of the teeth need to remain undisturbed and not directly used for support.
It is an excellent solution in cases with high plaque retention and caries susceptibility since it allows the patient to clean the remaining teeth and gums better.
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Many Considerations Need To Be Made When Looking To Restore Missing Teeth:
- Removable or fixed choice. Here we look at whether a permanently fixed choice would be better than a removable one, especially in the long term.
- Speed of treatment. If a solution to missing teeth must be completed over a couple of weeks, then a bridge may be the best option. A bridge treatment would only take two appointments, usually over two weeks. Implant treatment can take a few months.
- Health of surrounding tissues. In some instances, it might be better to opt for a removable device to adequately clean the remaining oral tissues (teeth & gums). This is especially true when there is a higher susceptibility to dental decay.
- Non-invasive surgical option. Dental implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone and often associated with additional surgical procedures. Some patients may not prefer a surgical option, or there may be a medical contra-indication to the treatment.
- Coverage and Protection Required. The teeth on either side of the gap are heavily built up and require protection. This is achieved by covering the entire tooth in the protective crown part of the bridge. In these cases, a denture would not be a suitable option.
- Many teeth. The treatment can become more complex and involved if multiple teeth need to be replaced. In these cases, the patient may opt for a simpler denture or a larger span of bridge treatment.
Many Considerations Need To Be Made When Looking To Restore Missing Teeth:
- Removable or fixed choice. Here we look at whether a permanently fixed choice would be better than a removable one, especially in the long term.
- Speed of treatment. If a solution to missing teeth must be completed over a couple of weeks, then a bridge may be the best option. A bridge treatment would only take two appointments, usually over two weeks. Implant treatment can take a few months.
- Health of surrounding tissues. In some instances, it might be better to opt for a removable device to adequately clean the remaining oral tissues (teeth & gums). This is especially true when there is a higher susceptibility to dental decay.
- Non-invasive surgical option. Dental implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone and often associated with additional surgical procedures. Some patients may not prefer a surgical option, or there may be a medical contra-indication to the treatment.
- Coverage and Protection Required. The teeth on either side of the gap are heavily built up and require protection. This is achieved by covering the entire tooth in the protective crown part of the bridge. In these cases, a denture would not be a suitable option.
- Many teeth. The treatment can become more complex and involved if multiple teeth need to be replaced. In these cases, the patient may opt for a simpler denture or a larger span of bridge treatment.
Before & After Gallery
See what our patients look like before and after, so you can gain a better idea of how they’re going to look and work for you.
What our Patients Need to Know
Learn more about what we offer here at the Perfect Smile Studios.
Many reasons patients in London and beyond choose us is because of our attention to detail, the care we provide, how we prepare and the results we achieve.
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- We can help establish monthly payment plans.
- We provide 0% finance for up to 24-month term plans. Many patients find our payment plan option very useful.
- Terms over 24 months will be low-interest bearing.
- If you want to consider this option, we will need to carry out a few credit checks.
- We can discuss payment plans at both the Hertfordshire & the London clinic
- More.
Pain-free
At The Perfect Smile, we understand that patients may be naturally nervous when thinking of undergoing dental implant surgery.
We want to reassure you that the dental implant treatment is not painful due to the proper use of local anaesthetics to numb the bone and gum deeply.
We can also use sedation techniques that also contribute to no pain or discomfort. More.
Treatment Plan
- Step 1: We will start the process with a highly detailed and thorough comprehensive examination and assessment. We will then construct a customised treatment plan and design your implant treatment.
- Step 2: An implantologist surgically places your new implant(s) in your mouth.
- Step 3: We will assess your healing on this review appointment and make sure everything is going as planned.
- Step 4: The dentist records and impressions to construct the implant’s top part (post and crown).
- Step 5: The dentist will fit the final part of the implant (post and crown).
- Step 6: Your final appointment allows you to have any further refining cosmetic enhancements or minor adjustments.
Fast Process
- Minimal appointments: Unlike traditional dental implant surgery, you will need fewer appointments
- No lengthy treatment time: The healing time is fast and effective, though individual to each person.
Bone Quality
- When you lose a tooth, the surrounding bone that holds the tooth in place will diminish in height, width, and volume. This may affect the immediate and final appearance of the gum tissue in this area and possibly the surrounding teeth.
- The larger the width of bone or the height of the bone, the wider and longer implant can be. A wider and longer implant increases implant stability and thus success. We assess the bone height and width by taking digital radiographs or by taking a CT Scan. More.
Implant Costs
The price of a dental implant can depend on whether any further treatments are needed to make sure your implant is a success.
| Treatment | Cost |
|---|---|
|
Implant Consultation |
£100 |
|
Implant Placement from |
£1250 |
|
Crown from |
£1200 |
Implant FAQs
- Will Dental Implants Last a Lifetime? Once the implant has fused with your jawbone and tissues, the artificial titanium implant acts as an ordinary root. The longevity of your implant depends on how you improve and maintain your oral health. Read more.
- Does a Dental Implant Hurt? When we place the implant, we make sure the procedure is pain-free. We offer a range of sedation and techniques suitable for nervous patients. You can find out more here.
- How Old Do I Have to Be for a Dental Implant? There isn’t an age limit for dental implants. However, our dentists recommend that you have to be over 18 for the dental implant procedure. Read on.
- Is a Dental Implant Treatment Safe? We also use extensive planning systems to ensure the implant treatment is successful. Find out more.
- Are Dental Implants Worth It? A dental implant offers a wealth of oral health benefits. An implant can improve your smile, realign neighbouring teeth, protect your mouth from gum disease, etc. Read the benefits.
Is the Process Painful? You can expect to feel pain with a new implant; however, the discomfort is kept to a minimum with modern anaesthetics. Nevertheless, post-process, there can be some swelling and aching for 5 -10 days. Many patients have multiple implants in a single day without undue pain or distress. More.
Free Consulations
Major UK Credentials
Major UK Credentials
Highly Experienced Implant Team
An unparalleled level of patient trust: Dr Rahul Doshi is the founder of the Perfect Smile and is the current President of the BACD.
With over 25 years of dental implant experience, Dr Rahul Doshi proudly leads a highly skilled team with access to the latest dental technology.
Implant Guide
Implants are colour matched and then shaped to blend in with your existing teeth. To the naked eye, an implant is very hard to spot.
Successful Dental Implants Can Last a Lifetime
Once the implant has fused with your jawbone and tissues, the artificial titanium implant acts as an ordinary root.
When we implant a titanium implant into the jawbone, it becomes part of your oral foundation.
This offers several health benefits that include preventing any bone loss whilst supporting the jawbone structure and reducing the risk of gum disease. More.
“If treated correctly, dental implants can last from ten to twenty-five years or more.”
Dental implants can help with:
- Teeth lost to trauma, accident or injury
- Missing teeth caused by gum disease or lack of bone
- Replace old, worn or broken dentures
- Implant integrated treatments like Implant-Retained Dentures
- Removable and fixed options
- Replace individual tooth loss or full arches in one sitting
The longevity of your implant depends on how you improve and maintain your oral health. Read more.