Dental Implants

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root placed in the jawbone during a minor operation. Following an appropriate healing period, the implant fuses to the bone in a process know as "Osseointegration". Thereafter, the implant can be restored by attaching a new tooth crown or bridges. Alternatively, two or more implants can be used to hold dentures tight during eating & speech.

Most adults who have lost a tooth or teeth, irrespective of age or when teeth were lost (though some cases are more complex than others). You need to be well enough to under go a minor procedure, generally comparable to a simple extraction. You can wear your present dentures or bridge during healing.

Is it painful?

There is no pain at the time of the procedure (generally undertaken under local anaesthetic). You should expect to be a little swollen & tender for a few days afterwards.

Is this a new or experimental procedure?

Absolutely not! Appropriately placed dental implants are the most reliable long-term method of tooth replacement. More research has been undertaken in this area than all the other branches of dentistry combined.

Is there an alternative, what about dentures or bridges that fit around my natural teeth?

There is evidence to show that the survival rates for these treatments, which may ultimately cause damage to or loss of your remaining teeth, falls far short of implant derived restorations.

Who is allowed to carry out implant treatment?

As regulations stand, any dentist who believes they have adequate training! We know however that failure rates are doubled for "learner" implantologists. At the Berkeley Clinic our Director of Implantology Mr John Murray is a full-time implant dentist with an international reputation and a master's degree in the subject. He is also on the Specialist register. In fact we are so confident in our implantology at the Berkeley Clinic, that if an implant fails to integrate then we will replace that implant free of charge.