Our case of the month for September 2016 involves a single dental implant to replace a molar tooth. Molar teeth are extremely important teeth for chewing and replacing them is vital to maintain function and protect the adjacent and opposing teeth. Single dental implants are excellent at replacing missing molar teeth. The process is usually straight forward and can be described in 5 steps:
 

1. Careful planning
2. Place dental implant
3. Allow healing of 10-12 weeks
4. Take impressions
5. Fit implant crown

Our case is a classic case involving a lower left missing molar tooth:
 

If you are missing teeth, then you have probably already done some research into dental implants. However, unless you have already undergone treatment you may be unaware of what the process involves. Well, we can simply it for you in 10 simple steps:
 

1. Full diagnostic planning - a full clinical examination, x rays, photographs and study models.
2. CT scan of the area.
3. Digital planning on specialist software.
4. Fabrication of surgical stent if required.
5. Place dental implant(s).
6. Allow healing of 12 weeks.
7. Take impressions.
8. Place temporary teeth ( for multiple implants) or final tooth (single implant).
9. Review.
10. Monitor and maintain.

Of course, there are variations to this plan and we can place immediate temporary teeth on the day of implant placement if conditions allow. Dr Nissit Patel has over 12 years experience in placing and restoring dental implants using multiple systems. These include Nobel Biocare, Astra, Southern, Implant Direct, Blue Sky Bio, Straumann to name a few. If you are considering dental implants, we are offering a FREE no obligation consultation with Dr Patel. Restore your smile and confidence today, contact us!

Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth- even ones that were lost many years ago. In the future, we may be able to grow new teeth but for now implants are the solution. Our case study involves teeth that were taken out a few years ago and replaced with implants:
 

As our name suggests, we are a forward thinking and innovative practice. In modern day life, technology is evolving at an almost alarming rate. Most of the changes are an improvement and enhance our quality of life. Dental care should be no different. Modern day dentistry is a world apart from the days of dreaded dental care. For example, laser dentistry. We have invested in the Waterlase i Plus 2.0 which has replaced the scalpel in our practice. Here is what Dr Nissit Patel has to say about the Waterlase i Plus: 'Since we have acquired the Waterlase i Plus, I have not needed to use a scalpel for my surgical work. The laser is far less invasive, there is far less bleeding and the recovery time is much reduced. The feedback from patients is overwhelmingly positive. I have recently used the laser to place a dental implant and did not need to use any stitches at all. Here is a photograph of the dental implant immediately after placement:
 

Dental implants are the very best method to replace missing teeth. Long term studies have shown that properly planned, carefully placed and well maintained dental implants can last decades. This is not true for the old methods of replacing teeth such as bridges and dentures. Here's why:

1. Did you know that a dental bridge often involves cutting down healthy tooth/teeth to replace the missing tooth? 

2. Did you know that when a healthy tooth is cut down, there is a 20% chance that that tooth will die in the longer term and require root canal treatment? 

3. Did you know that that once teeth are removed, there is a constant remodeling of the soft and hard tissues which is the at the greatest level in the first year? 

4. Are you aware that teeth can drift into the space of missing teeth or over erupt- move up or downwards? This can severely impact on biting and function. 

Dental implants can look just like teeth! Just take a look at our case study:
 

Our case of the month for September involves a full mouth reconstruction using dental implants and a technique called All on 4. All on 4, as the name suggests, involves replacing all of the teeth using 4 upper and 4 lower dental implants. The great advantage of this technique is that by using only 8 dental implants in total, the overall surgery is reduced thus reducing trauma to the oral cavity and there is an associated lower cost compared to traditional techniques where 6-8 implants were required for each arch. The typical case is where gum disease has severely affected the teeth health over many years thus resulting in a full mouth clearance, which was the case for our patient. Please view the before and after photographs:
 

As you will be aware, dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth. Whether you are missing one, several or all of your teeth, dental implants can help. In the past, dental implant crowns (the actual tooth replacement) was a combination of a titanium abutment (screwed into the implant) and a porcelain fused to metal crown. This was fine and provided a perfectly good, robust result. However, for front teeth especially, the aesthetics of such restorations were possibly not great. Today, we are able to provide crowns with all ceramic fittings. This is usually with a zirconium abutment and an E max crown. We can now also use a screw retained all ceramic crown, which was previously not possible. Therefore there is no metal above the gum line; greater aesthetics and no chance of a black line at the gum level. If you would like the most aesthetic dental implant restoration for your missing tooth/ teeth, contact us- we will have the solution.