Dental Implants in Leeds

FAQ'S ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS IN LEEDS AT LS1 DENTAL

What is a dental implant?
An implant can be thought of as an artificial tooth root, which is carefully placed in the jaw.  Bone grows around the implant and it becomes a part of your body. The implant is then crowned to support one or more false teeth via a bridge or to secure dentures. Implants can also be used to replace all of your teeth in the case of a full mouth reconstruction by the placement of 6-10 implants and bridge work.

What are the advantages of dental implants?
Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth. They can improve your ability to chew food and speak.  They can also bring back the contour of your cheeks so that you do not get a sunken appearance that develops when teeth are missing. Further, by providing support to lips and cheeks giving them a fuller appearance, wrinkles can be reduced.

Are dental implants safe?  How long will they last?
The placement of dental implants is a well established surgical procedure which our dentists in Leeds are experienced in placing. Over 90 per cent of modern implants last over 15 years. Dental implants are often the recommended solution to missing teeth.

I have some of my own teeth.  Can I still have implants?
You can have any number of teeth replaced with implants, from a single tooth to a full mouth reconstruction where up to 10 implants and bridge work can be used to replace your teeth.

Do I need an implant for each missing tooth?
No, unless you're only having a single tooth replaced. Normally, five or six implants can be used to replace all the teeth in one jaw. Each implant can usually support two teeth. Your dentist at LS1 Dental in Leeds will best advise you on the number of implants recommended.

Can implants always be used to replace missing teeth?
Implants cannot always be placed where teeth are missing, a number of factors must be considered including the quality and density of the bone in your jaw. Your dentist will arrange a series of tests to assess the surrounding bone. It is common for bone to be taken from another area (a procedure known as ‘bone grafting’) if there is insufficient bone or if the bone is unhealthy.

Is the procedure of placing dental implants painful?
Placing the implants is a surgical procedure, which can be carried out under local anesthetic or sedation. As with all surgical procedures, some discomfort may be felt during surgery and the following weeks. This is part of the normal healing process.

Can I have new teeth straight away?
Unfortunately not. The implants need to fuse (integrate) with the bone after they have been placed.  This process takes at least 3 months in the lower jaw and 4 months in the upper jaw. Your Leeds dentist may provide you with a temporary restoration during this period of time. If you have complete dentures, then these can be worn throughout the healing period after they have been adjusted.

How long does treatment take to be fully completed?
Up to 12 months may be required for a full mouth reconstruction.  This is from the initial assessment to the time when the artificial teeth or dentures are finally attached to the fully integrated implants. However, if fewer implants are involved or only the lower jaw is involved, then considerably less time may be taken. A lot depends on how complicated your treatment is, every case is unique. Your LS1 dental Leeds dentist will be able be able to provide you with a timescale for each phase of the treatment.

Are dental implants difficult to clean?
Cleaning teeth attached to implants is no more difficult than cleaning natural teeth. However, there may be areas that our Leeds hygienist will be able to show you how to reach and clean effectively.

What happens if the implant does not fuse (integrate) with the jaw bone?
This is a rare occurrence. If the implant becomes loose during the healing period or just after, then it is easily removed and healing takes place in the normal way. Once the jaw has healed, another dental implant can be placed.

How are dental implants used with dentures?
The denture clips onto the implants making it very stable and far superior to a normal denture. Another benefit of using implants with dentures is that there is no need for the denture to cover the palate of the mouth; this means that taste may be dramatically improved. Difficult to eat foods such as apples and steak can once again be a joy to eat.

How much do dental implants cost?
Dental implantology requires a very high level of surgical skill and is a long term solution to missing teeth. In many situations, the cost of implants is only a little more than the cost of more conventional treatment involving crowns and bridges. Further, implants are a very conservative treatment which avoids the need to cut down teeth for crowns to support a bridge, therefore preserving more of your natural tooth structure. 

A guide to dental implants treatment