An implant will replace the root of the tooth then a crown is placed on top to permanently restore your smile. They are designed to provide you with the same look, feel and function like your natural teeth, making you able to eat, speak and brush like normal.
What you need to know
Dental implants are an alternative to a bridge or dentures and can be used to replace one or more missing teeth. Your implant treatment will be done in conjunction with a specialist Periodontist or Oral Surgeon - either at our Rosny location or with a local Periodontist or Oral Surgeon recommended by our dentists.
Dental Implant treatment is carried out in 2 steps:
Step 1 - The Implant Placement - Where the titanium or alloy implant is surgically placed and left to fuse with the jawbone.
Step 2 - The implant restoration – where the artificial tooth, crown or denture is fitted on top of the implant.
Your first appointment would be an extended consultation with the dentist to see if an implant is the best option and to discuss the risks, fees and temporary options while the implant is integrating. This consultation may include x-rays and diagnostic models of the teeth and will take
40 – 60 minutes.
You will then be referred to the specialist where the first stage of the implant will be undertaken by them. The specialist will extract the tooth (if needed) and allow the area to heal. The specialist will advise you at this point if you also need bone grafting. Sometimes the implant can be placed at the time of extraction.
Once the implant is placed into the bone it will need to integrate for a minimum of 3 months. There will be a healing cap over the implant screw which will sit on top of the gum and can be hidden by the temporary restoration. After this 3 month timeframe, the specialist will test the implant to make sure it has integrated with the bone. All going well, they will then refer you back to our dentists to have the crown component completed.
The first stage of the crown component will be a short appointment for 20-30 minutes to take impressions, if not at taken at the consult and confirm the remaining appointments with you.
The next appointment will be a 40 – 60 minute appointment where the healing cap will be removed and an impression copping will be placed which the dentist will take another impression of. The healing cap will be placed back on for the next 2 to 3 weeks while the crown is being made by the lab.
You will need to do a colour match for your crown in order for it to look similar to your existing tooth and this sometimes requires a short visit to our local lab technician.
The final appointment is where the crown is attached on to the implant screw and will take 60 minutes. Your dentist will ensure you are happy with the final result and provide information on how to maintain the best home care for your implant/crown.
