Dentists have long been associated with restoring teeth and getting smiles back on track when things have got a little damaged. But oral implants are different; never before have local clinics had the capacity to replace teeth lost potentially decades ago with such a convincing restoration. With all of the maintenance and aftercare of a natural tooth. Read on to find out how implantation is carried out, how it works and what dental implants Clapham are capable of.
Standard implant procedure and surgical techniques in the clinic
Dental implantation procedures have entered clinics after previously being relegated to maxillofacial units in hospitals or dental universities. Opening up the possibility of implantation for many more patients up and down the country. But it is still not included in standard dental degrees and therefore requires additional post-doctoral training. In more advanced clinics and proprietary surgeries, this additional training can increase the chances of successful implantation in patients who have additional medical conditions that complicate bone integration.
Bone grafting and augmentation
- Grafting
Grafting allows for the patient’s bone to be moved around in the mouth, taking bone from less structurally important areas and placing it at the implantation site. After a few weeks, the transplanted bone is fused into the jaw. It not only increases the available bone, but also its density in the most critical locations.
- Sinus lifts
Sinus lifting corrects insufficient bone in the upper jaw by elevating the roof of the mouth and incorporating a bone graft in the space behind. This is performed by making a very small incision in the roof of the mouth.
- Jaw alterations
There is a wide range of jaw alterations that can be used as part of implementation and orthodontic treatment to provide additional space for treatment. Jaw expansion can be carried out on both the upper and lower jawbone, creating far more grafting material to be available at the interface of the bone than you would normally have, similar to induced bone grafting.
Managing costs in investing in yourself
Oral implant procedures, even in the best-case scenarios, represent a significant investment in time and usually money. Anywhere between 4 to 12 months are required for the titanium sub-section of the implant to become fully integrated into the jaw. Although this can be carried out faster in cases where implant immobilised prosthetics or bridges are involved, as they help to keep the implant firmly in place.
But you also have to take into account other potential procedures too. Such as the extension of this process due to sinus lifts or bone grafting. Which can expand the 4 to 12 months to up to a year alone.
Most clinics that are highly specialised in providing implants understand this and include payment options like dental club membership or zero-interest financing to help their patients spread out the costs over a more manageable period of time. Oral implants should be seen as a one-off, long-term solution to the problem of significantly improving your quality of life and investment in yourself that can never be taken away.
