The Maltings Dental Practice is one of the leading Implant centres in the area. We accept patients from within the practice as well as outside referrals from other practices. The team is led by Dr Jason Wong (Prosthetics) and Dr Shafiq Harris (Specialist in Oral Surgery) and backed by specially trained hygienist and nursing support staff. All members of the team are active in attending postgraduate courses in this area. Please find below some frequently asked questions but there is no substitute for having your case assessed in person. Initial Consultation appointments can be arranged at our practice although for patients from outside the practice a referral from your own dentist would be preferable. A detailed letter and costing will be issued following the consultation.
Select a question below to find out more.
What are dental implants?
Are implants safe? How long will they last?
Can implants always be used to replace missing teeth?
Do implants hurt?
How long does treatment take?
How soon can I have the new teeth?
Are the teeth difficult to clean?
Can I take the teeth out if they are fixed to implants?
Do I have an implant for each missing tooth?
Are Implants vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease?
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is made of titanium that is placed into the jawbone. They are substitute tooth roots. They form a stable foundation for permanent replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. Dental Implants are the closest thing we have to having your own teeth back. We use the ITI Dental Implant system from Straumann.
Are implants safe? How long will they last?
Implants are a well-established, tried-and-tested treatment. 90 per cent of modern implants last for at least 15 years.
I have some of my own teeth. Can I still have implants?
Yes. You can have any number of teeth replaced with implants - from one single tooth to a complete set.
Can implants always be used to replace missing teeth?
It depends on the state of the bone in your jaw. We will have to assess the quality and quantity of bone. If there is not enough bone, or if it isn't healthy enough it may not be possible to place implants
Do implants hurt?
Placing the implants requires a small operation. This can be carried out under local anaesthetic. Sedation may also be considered. You will not feel any pain at the time, but you may feel some discomfort following the surgery. This is usually due to having stitches in place, and the normal healing process.
How long does treatment take?
We will be able to give you a provisional timetable before the treatment begins. Usually the permanent teeth are fitted between 6 to 12 weeks after the implants are put in, however there are circumstances where this may need to be longer.
How soon can I have the new teeth?
The implants need to bond (integrate) with the bone after they have been put in. This takes anything from 6 weeks to 6 months depending on the quality of the bone. Sometimes the implants may be stable enough when they are fitted for the artificial teeth to be attached much sooner than this. If you are having one, two or three teeth replaced, you will have a temporary restoration in the meantime. If you have complete dentures, then these can be worn throughout the healing period once they have been modified after the surgery.
Are the teeth difficult to clean?
Cleaning around the teeth attached to the implants is no more difficult than cleaning natural teeth. However, there may be areas that give you problems and you'll be shown methods to help. Regular visits with the hygienist in the future are absolutely necessary.
Can I take the teeth out if they are fixed to implants?
Most artificial teeth attached to implants can only be placed and removed by the dentist. However, if you have complete dentures fixed to the implants, then you'll be able to take them out for cleaning.
Do I have an implant for each missing tooth?
No, unless you're only having a single tooth replaced. Normally, five or six implants are used to replace all the teeth in one jaw, as each implant can usually support two teeth. For a few missing teeth, two or three implants may be used.
Are Implants vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease?
Implants are not vulnerable to tooth decay but their attachment can be damaged by gum disease. if you don't care for them well enough then gum problems can lead to loss of Implants but if you keep them clean, remain medically healthy and don't smoke, then you should not have any problems.
Telephone 01476 563181 or email admin@maltingsdental.co.uk
