Are you searching for the best dental implants Reading has to offer?
Here at the Earley Dental Practice we understand that having one or multiple missing teeth can have tremendous impact, not only on your dental health and aesthetics, but also on your mental health. This is why we provide dental implant treatment that aims to not only restore our patients' missing or failing teeth, but also their smiles and sense of self-confidence.
Would you like to learn more about the dental implants treatment options we offer?
Why get dental implants?
If your teeth are chipped or damaged there are many dental treatment options available that can help you recover both the function and appearance of your teeth. These treatment options include crowns, veneers and dentures. However, if any of your teeth are completely missing, getting dental implants is the only permanent solution.
Tooth loss can happen in all sorts of different ways. You may have had to get a tooth removed due to a root canal infection, you may have lost teeth to gum disease, or you may have lost one or more teeth in an accident.
Regardless of how you lost them, replacing your missing teeth with dental implants sooner rather than later is important if you want to protect your oral health and prevent further gum and dental problems from developing.
You may not have been aware of this, but the longer you wait to replace missing teeth with dental implants, the greater your risk of developing gum disease. In the worst case scenario, gum disease can lead to even more missing teeth, not to mention unnecessary pain and discomfort. Having missing teeth can also cause the surrounding teeth in your mouth to shift into new positions because of all of the extra space, which means your teeth may end up crooked and misaligned.
All in all, getting replacement teeth sooner rather than later is the best solution if you have lost any teeth for any reason.
Do implants look like natural teeth?
High-quality implants like the ones we offer here at Earley Dental Practice look very much like natural teeth.
Dental implant treatment and technology has come a long way since the first dental implant procedures were carried out in 1965. Since then, replacing missing teeth with high-quality and realistic-looking implants has become an increasingly viable and attractive option for anyone with missing teeth.
Today, most tooth implants are made from either titanium zirconium oxide, both of which look and feel almost exactly the same as natural teeth.
Single Dental Implants
Our teeth work in harmony to perform the functions we need to live healthy lives day-to-day.
When even a single tooth is lost, it can significantly disrupt the way your mouth performs and have a detrimental effect on your self-esteem and self-image as well as your chewing function. Don’t worry though. Our single
dental implants can restore your mouth to full function and when properly looked after, they can last a lifetime.
Single
dental implants replace individual missing tooth roots, and a ‘tooth-like’ element like a
crown,
dentures or a
bridge fits over the top to provide chewing, speaking and aesthetic function. The amazing thing about
dental implants is they’re surgically placed, so your jawbone comes to recognise them as a new and real part of the body. This triggers regeneration and growth, which means your face won’t suffer changes as a result of jawbone shrinkage or bone loss. With jawbone shrinkage comes changes like hollowed cheeks and a protruding chin, which can be incredibly distressing as it can dramatically age the face.
What can I expect during the implant process?
- Examination of your mouth and jawbone. X-rays are taken to analyse your jawbone density, as this will be a factor in assessing your suitability for implants.
- Surgical placement of the implant under local anaesthetic (we can offer dental sedation if patients wish). This will take several months to heal.
- Once healed, your false tooth can be permanently placed over the top.
- All over the world, dental implants are known for being the gold standard mode of tooth replacement.
- They can last your whole life with the correct care.
- They’re fixed in place.
- They’ll feel just like a real tooth.
- Patients find their confidence soars after replacing missing teeth with implants.
- Efficient chewing function, just like you had previously when you had your own tooth.
- Ideal for replacing missing teeth anywhere in the mouth
All-on-4 dental implants
Also known as ‘teeth in a day’, the All-on-4 dental implant process delivers exactly that.
After just a single appointment, you can expect a new set of teeth to go home with on the same day, and once your permanent natural-looking custom-made false teeth have been created, you can feel confident about smiling again.
The All-on-4 implants system is an ideal solution for patients with multiple
missing teeth and who might not have enough healthy jawbones to support
single dental implants or implant retained
dentures. Using only 4 (or 6 on some occasions), we’re able to fix a
bridge in place to replace a whole arch or both arches of teeth.
The implants are carefully placed at specific angles in order to achieve this. Not only does this mean patients with low jawbone density are eligible for treatment (as we identify which parts of the jawbone are strong enough for the implants using state-of-the-art planning software), but it’s also cost-effective if you’re looking to replace multiple
missing teeth.
What can I expect from the All-on-4 process?
- Examination of your mouth and X-rays.
- On the day of surgery after the implants are placed, a custom made bridge is made for you to wear during the healing period.
- Once the jawbone has healed, a permanent bridge is fitted.
- They’re suitable for patients with the very little healthy jawbone.
- Your permanent bridge looks and feels virtually identical to real teeth.
- Eat and speak like normal again.
- Smiling will become second nature around others.
- You can have a new set of teeth on the day of your first appointment.
Implant Retained Dentures
Today, it’s possible to secure
dentures in place using implants, which has proved a game-changing treatment for those who need to replace
missing teeth.
Better stability when eating and speaking, improved confidence, and jawbone protection are all reasons to consider implant retained
dentures for
missing teeth.
What are implant retained dentures?
Implant retained
dentures or overdentures do exactly what they describe – retain removable
denturesin place with implants. Not only are they popular with patients who need to replace multiple
missing teeth, we often create and fit them for patients who have been
denture wearers for a number of years, but who would like to replace these with a more sustainable set that will allow for better eating and speaking ability, and better
denture retention.
What can I expect during the implant retained dentures process?
- Examination of your teeth and jawbone.
- Surgical placement of the implants. These will take a few months to heal, so you will be given temporary dentures to wear during this time.
- Once healed, your custom-made implant retained dentures can be fitted. You’ll be able to easily remove these to clean them.
What makes implant retained dentures great?
- Excellent level of stability compared with traditional dentures.
- They protect your jawbone health because they are retained with implants.
- You’ll have the freedom to eat a bigger variety of foods and the increased confidence to speak around others, without the worry of your dentures slipping out of place.
What to expect at your initial consultation at the Earley Dental Practice
Are you ready to start your journey to getting dental implants in Reading?
At your initial consultation at the Earley Dental Practice you can expect to have your teeth and gums examined, and to have a friendly conversation with an expert oral surgeon about whether we can offer treatment that addresses your needs. Any questions or concerns you may have will be listened to and answered.
If you are interested in getting your dental implants in Reading with us, contact our reception staff today for further information or to set up a consultation.
How dental implants work: A primer
The three different types of dental implant procedures we offer all work slightly differently, but here is an overview intended to give you a little more insight into how our dental implant treatments work.
A titanium post is inserted in your jaw bone
Whether the goal is to replace a missing front tooth or to obtain denture stabilisation, we have to start by inserting a titanium post in your jaw bone so that the tooth or teeth has got something to sit on.
To be able to do this, your oral surgeon will have to make a tiny cut in your gums to expose the jaw bone underneath. Then, your surgeon drills a hole in the bone where the titanium post can be inserted. The metal post serves as the new tooth root.
Any missing teeth are replaced with implants
Once the post has taken hold, any new teeth you need are affixed to it. Don't worry; the post won't be visible at all.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get full dental implants on the NHS?
In most cases, dental implants are not available through the NHS. There are some exceptions in cases where the patient's face has become disfigured or the patient is otherwise unable to wear dentures.
Dentures are a valid option for some, but even the best dentures do not look or feel quite as realistic as single tooth implants. In other words, if you have the option, it is usually much better to go private to get your dental implants.
What are the 3 types of dental implants?
The 3 main types of dental implants are: Single tooth dental implants, implant retained dental bridges, and finally implant retained dentures.
A single tooth dental implant is a single replacement tooth which is placed where one tooth is missing. This could be anywhere in your lower or upper jaw, anywhere at the front or back of your mouth.
An implant retained dental bridge is a dental bridge which is affixed at both ends to a single implant. This is a great option if you have several missing teeth, but still enough natural teeth left in your mouth to hold a dental bridge in place.
Finally implant retained dentures are what are also known as 'false teeth.' They are full arch sets of replacement teeth which are held in place in your mouth by being affixed to titanium posts in your jaw bone.
How much does a tooth implant cost UK?
There is no standard fee for dental implants in the UK, but the average cost is approximately £2,000 to £2,500.
