Sutton Dentist

Implant Dentist in Sutton

Sutton Dental Centre and Medical Aesthetics is a dental practice located in the heart of Sutton, Surrey.

Sutton Dental Centre and Medical Aesthetics carries out all types of cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry. Dental Implants are carried out the Dentist in Sutton, Surrey. Sutton Dental Centre and Medical Aesthetics always pride themselves on giving their patients the best treatment options and then acting on them!

Dental Implants have become a large part of dentistry. We have decided to explain in simple terms what an implant is and why it could work for you!

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is basically a titanium screw which can have a smooth or rough surface. The surfaces are covered with special coatings which help the implant "chemically bind" to your jaw bone. Essentially, the implant will be used to replace missing teeth by acting as a root, similar to the other roots that you have under your existing teeth!

What is the process of a Dental Implant?

Dental Implants - It's All About the Planning!

Prior to any Dental Implant work, planning is needed. Your dentist will discuss this with you in great detail. At Sutton Dental Centre and Medical Aesthetics, we look at various things before any implant work is carried out. Sutton Dental Centre and Medical Aesthetics want to know the depth and size of the jaw bone where the implant needs to be placed in. Sutton Dental Centre and Medical Aesthetics will also nerve for any nerves such as inferior alveolar nerve or sinuses which may affect implant placement. We use various dental x-rays and CT scans during these checks.

Dental Implants - Surgery Phase!

The placement of an implant requires a preparation into the bone. This is done by an incision through the gum onto the jawbone at the place where the implant is needed. From this incision, the gum can be reflected back and this will expose the jaw bone underneath - this is called raising a "flap". There are implants that can be placed without raising a flap and this called "flapless implants".

A pilot hole is placed into the jaw bone, taking care to avoid any important nerves. The pilot hole is expanded by using progressively wider drills. This is a slow process as care must be taken not to damage any bone cells by overheating. Sometimes a water spray is used to keep everything cool. Once the hole has been prepared to the correct size, then the implant is screwed into the hole gently. The hole is prepared to fit the implant exactly. This will aid the implant chemically binding to the jaw bone - osseointegration.

Dental Implants - Healing Time!

Sutton Dental Centre and Medical Aesthetics will normally leave the implants in the jaw bone for some time before placing a restoration. This time period varies from 2- 6 months. The purpose of this waiting period is to allow the implant to fully osseointegrated with your jaw bone. The newer implant systems allow the implant to be restored much quicker and some of them allow the implant to be placed at the same time as an extraction! There are possible long term consequences of going down this route. If an implant is loaded too soon, then it may cause some movement and hence lead to failure. More time and research is needed before these systems become the norm.

Dental Implant Success Tips!

Dental Implant success rates are related to the operator skill, quality and quantity of bone available, patient's age and medical health, smoking, and the patient's oral hygiene.

Dental Implant Complications!

A dental implant will fail if it does not osseointegrated with the bone. This can lead to the implant being lost, mobile or showing signs of peri-implant bone loss (greater than 1mm in the first year, followed by 0.2mm in subsequent years). Peri-implantitis is a condition where there is inflammation of the bone around the implant, which will result in bone loss and eventual loss of the implant.

Dental Implant Contraindications!

Anatomy - trying to place an implant where there is a sinus or nervous tissue. Care must be taken so that there is no damage to the nerves, which can lead to Paresthesia (permanent numbness) or Dysesthesia (painful numbness).

Uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes - delayed healing after the surgical procedure and increased risk of Peri-Implantitis.

Medications - such as intravenous or oral bisphosphonates used for breast cancer or osteoporosis. These can lead to delayed healing and possible risk of implant failure.

Tooth grinding and clenching - bruxism places additional load on the implant and can be detrimental to bone healing after surgery.

After an implant has been placed, if there are any warning signs of excessive pain, bleeding or numbness then please re-attend your dentist to get it checked again!