Dental implants
If you're living with a missing tooth, you’ll know how self-conscious it can make you feel. You might be embarrassed about normal things such as like laughing, smiling and eating. Dental implants are an excellent way to restore your confidence by permanently replacing missing teeth and allowing you to get back to enjoying life.
Dr Gahan has been placing implants for over 18 years and is registered with the General Dental Council as a Restorative Dentistry specialist. You can find key information about dental implants below. If you would like to book a consultation with Dr Gahan, just get in touch with the team at Finkle Hill Dental Care by calling 01977 682 200 or emailing hello@finklehilldental.co.uk.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are titanium or ceramic screws placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. There are different types of dental implants. They can support one or more false teeth and can also be used for crowns, bridges and dentures. Titanium is used because it is accepted well by the body and fuses easily with the surrounding bone it has been implanted into.
Dr Gahan uses Straumann dental implants. The Swiss company developed the world’s first one-stage dental implant in 1974 and is considered by most implantologists to offer the best dental implant system thanks to its quality manufacturing and high success rate among patients. They have shown 95-99% survival rates in clinical studies. Straumann apply a special coating called SLActive® to their dental implants, which increases the healing bond between implant and bone. This means the crown can be fitted to the implant around six weeks from the implant being placed, rather than the usual 12-14 weeks.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants offer many advantages over dentures.
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A permanent and natural-looking solution to replace missing teeth. They look and feel like natural teeth and you care for them just as you would your natural teeth
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You don’t have to worry about them coming loose or falling out of place. So, you can eat, talk, laugh and go about your daily life with confidence
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Because they are anchored into your jaw, dental implants allow you to bite with the same amount of force as your natural teeth
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They’re custom-made to fit the shape of your face, so they look totally natural and you can enjoy a comfortable fit, without any rubbing or irritation
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In place of natural tooth roots, dental implants stimulate the jawbone, which prevents bone loss and allows you to maintain a more youthful appearance
Want to find out more about dental implants?
Why not book a consultation with Dr Gahan. Simply get in touch with the friendly team at Finkle Hill Dental Care on 01977 682 200 or at hello@finklehilldental.co.uk
What can I expect at my dental implant appointments?
At your initial appointment, Dr Gahan will assess your mouth health and your overall suitability for a dental implant. He may take some X-rays or a 3D scan to assess the amount of bone in your jaw and its quality. In most cases an implant can be placed, however if there isn’t a sufficient amount of bone or it isn’t strong enough, you may need to have a bone graft before having the implants and allow for the area to heal first. But in most cases, the bone can be built up at the same time as having the dental implant placed.
Inserting the dental implant is done under local anaesthetic and is painless. The procedure will take between 45 and 75 minutes.
The dental implant is left to heal for several weeks before the crown, bridge or denture is attached. This is to give time for the bone in your jaw to attach itself to the implant and new bone graft.
Do dental implants hurt?
Not at all. During the placement Dr Gahan uses a very effective numbing technique, so you should never feel any pain during the procedure. Any mild discomfort afterwards can be managed with paracetamol or ibuprofen for a day or two. By following the detailed aftercare advice, you are unlikely to have any problems.
How do I care for my dental implant?
Once your dental implant is fitted, you will need to treat the crown that's attached to it just like your real teeth. Brush twice a day and clean in between with floss or an interdental brush. Failing to clean your crown properly means it could develop plaque, just like you get on natural teeth, which can lead to gum infections and pain, or for the implant to become loose.
How long do dental implants last?
If it is well looked after and you have regular appointments with your dentist, your dental implant should last a long time. Any crowns you have may require additional care or replacement, but it’s expected that over 90% of dental implants will still be functioning after 10 years. In fact, survival rates of over 95% for between 15 and 20 years have been shown, proving that dental implants are a worthwhile investment.
Do you offer full mouth dental implants?
Dr Gahan offers full mouth dental implants for either one or both jaws. Depending on your personal case, the options available are either fixed bridge work or secure removable dentures. Please get in touch for further information. Interest-free finance options are available.
How much do dental implants cost?
The cost of a dental implant is split between the implant and the component it attaches to, such as a crown, bridge or denture support. Because of this, the cost varies for each individual case. Dr Gahan will go through the dental implant costs with you at your consultation, but for guidance, fees start at around £1,300 for the implant. Further information can be found on the dental charges page. Interest-free finance options are available.
Why are some dental implants cheaper than others?
There are many different implant systems, and just like any product there is a wide variation in quality. Dr Gahan uses Straumann dental implants, which are widely considered to be the best dental implants with the highest success rate. Cheaper implant systems have higher failure rates and long-term issues. If you’re looking at cost comparisons for dental implants, it’s important to ensure you’re getting a like-for-like product. In order to offer cheap dental implants, something has to be compromised, and this tends to be using a low-quality implant system and lower quality laboratories.
Dentists who are still training in dental implants will often offer them at reduced fees to gain experience. The costs for a GDC-registered specialist reflect ten years of training and additionally with Dr Gahan, 11 years of working as a Restorative Specialist and Consultant.
Are dental implants available on the NHS?
Dr Gahan does not offer NHS dental implants within his practice role. In certain high-priority cases, dental implants are offered within his NHS Hospital Consultant role. Your own dentist would need to refer you to the Leeds Dental Institute for an assessment if you meet the criteria.
Who might not be suitable for dental implants?
Smokers
Smoking can seriously compromise the success of a dental implant. You will be advised to stop smoking before the surgery.
People with diabetes
Depending on how controlled the diabetes is, people with diabetes may not be suitable candidates for dental implants, or they may suffer complications like inflammation of the gums or rejection of the implants.
People with gum disease
If you have unstable gum disease or a past history of gum disease, this puts you are at risk of gum infections around the implant. Dental implants are less successful in these cases and gum disease must be treated and stable before you have any implants. Often it is better to look at alternatives. As a specialist in gum disease treatment, bridges, dentures and restorative dentistry, Dr Gahan is ideally positioned to advise you and plan your care.
