Dental implants are one of the most popular and natural ways of replacing missing or putting an end to the problem of ill-fitting dentures. People lose teeth for all sorts of reasons and for many it can affect what they eat, how they speak and for some it can result in a complete loss of self confidence.
A dental implant is a small, screw-like fixture that acts as a replacement for a natural tooth root. Dental implants are usually made of titanium (a bio-compatible material) and are carefully placed into the jawbone, normally under local anaesthetic. Once healed, the artificial root acts as a base for fixing individual crowns, multi-tooth bridges or dentures.
Dental implants are a scientifically proven treatment that is perfectly safe and used by qualified dentists and surgeons worldwide. At Woodlands Dental & Implant Centre we are proud to offer comprehensive in-house dental implant treatment using the latest state-of-the-art products and equipment. Our Principal, Dr Ahmed Alshafi is highly trained in this field, and supported by his experienced team he places and restores dental implants, providing outstanding aesthetic and functional outcomes for his patients. He also accepts referrals for dental implants from other dentists.
Woodlands Dental & Implant Centre has invested in a state of the art Cone Beam CT scanner that allows your Implantologist Dr Ahmed Alshafi to x-ray your jaw in 3D. This invaluable detailed information about your jawbone density and shape allows Dr Alshafi the unique ability to perform the latest surgery; computer aided “guided surgery“, giving you the best long term results for your implant treatment. We can now plan your implant treatment to the millimetre, making it safer and more effective in comparison to the traditional methods.
What dental implant treatment options are available?
Single Tooth Replacement
A dental implant is a permanent and natural-looking solution for replacing a missing tooth. The process involves placing a titanium post into the jawbone where the tooth was lost, allowing it to fuse with the bone through osseointegration. This creates a strong foundation for a custom-made crown attached to the implant and designed to match your natural teeth’ colour, size, and shape. The result is a tooth that looks, feels, and functions just like a natural one, allowing you to chew, speak, and smile confidently.
Unlike traditional bridges, which may require altering adjacent teeth, a dental implant preserves the integrity of neighbouring teeth and helps prevent bone loss in the jaw. This makes it a durable, long-term solution that can last a lifetime with proper care. Dental implants are effective in restoring your smile’s aesthetics, ensuring proper function and maintaining the health of your jawbone and surrounding teeth.
Multiple Teeth
stability and durability. When multiple teeth are missing, two or more implants are strategically placed into the jawbone to serve as anchors for a fixed bridge. This bridge is custom-made to match the natural teeth and is securely attached to the implants, restoring both function and appearance. This method eliminates the need for individual implants for each missing tooth, making it a cost-effective option while still ensuring a strong, permanent restoration.
The implant-supported bridge not only looks and feels like natural teeth but also helps maintain the health of the jawbone, preventing bone loss that often occurs with missing teeth. Unlike traditional dentures or partials, implant-supported bridges do not shift or move, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. This long-term solution offers durability, comfort, and a natural aesthetic, helping to restore oral health and function.
Full Arch Dental Implants
Dental implants offer a stable and permanent alternative to traditional dentures for individuals needing to replace all the teeth in an arch. This process typically involves placing several implants in strategic locations along the jaw to support a full-arch prosthesis. Dr Alshafi carefully determines the number of implants required and their placement based on your unique dental structure, bone density, and oral health. Once the implants are in place, they serve as secure anchors for a custom-made, full-arch bridge that mimics the look and function of natural teeth.
Unlike traditional removable dentures, implant-supported full-arch restorations are fixed in place, providing superior stability and comfort. This option not only restores the full functionality of your bite but also prevents bone loss, helping to maintain the natural shape of your face and jaw. With proper care, implant-supported full-arch restorations can last a lifetime, offering a permanent and aesthetically pleasing solution for patients who want to restore their smile with maximum comfort and durability.
Implant-supported dentures
Implant-supported dentures provide a reliable solution to the common problem of loose-fitting traditional dentures. By securing the dentures with dental implants, patients experience improved stability and functionality, allowing them to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. The implants act as anchors that hold the dentures securely in place, preventing movement and reducing gum irritation that is often caused by ill-fitting dentures. This enhanced support greatly improves the wearer’s comfort and quality of life, eliminating the worry of dentures shifting or slipping during daily activities.
In addition to the comfort and stability, implant-supported dentures also help maintain the health of the jawbone. Traditional dentures rest on the gums and do not stimulate the underlying bone, which can lead to bone loss over time. Dental implants, however, mimic natural tooth roots, stimulating the jawbone and preventing its deterioration. This results in not only a more secure fit but also better long-term oral health, allowing patients to enjoy a more active, worry-free lifestyle.
What dental implant treatment options are available?
Single tooth replacement
A dental implant is an ideal permanent solution to the problem of a missing tooth. An implant is placed in the gap where a tooth has been lost and forms a base to which a dental crown is attached that looks, feels and functions just like a natural tooth.
Multiple Teeth
Dental implants can be used to support multiple teeth. This usually involves the placement of two or more implants which are then used to support a fixed bridge.
Full Arch
To replace all the teeth in an arch, as an alternative to a denture for example, requires several implants to be placed. The number of implants required and the position of their placement will be determined by Dr Alshafi once he has assessed your individual case.
Implant supported dentures
A loose fitting denture is a common and uncomfortable problem for wearers of traditional dentures. Securing dentures using dental implants restores the chewing function and reduces irritation of the gums, leading to an enhanced quality of life. This additional support enables the wearer to carry on life with confidence, eat whatever they choose and smile without being self-conscious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every patient’s needs are different so Dr Alshafi always completes an in-depth implant consultation before beginning treatment. At your initial consultation X-rays are taken to see if you have sufficient quality and quantity of bone. Some medical conditions can affect the bone growing onto the implant and requires careful assessment, but in general most people are suitable candidates for dental implants.
If you have been referred to us by your own dentist Dr Alshafi will carry out the treatment for which you have been referred and then return you to the care of your regular dentist who will complete any ongoing treatment.
If you would like to know more about dental implants or to see if dental implants are suitable in your case we offer a no-obligation implant consultation. Get in touch with us today on 01628 824558 to book an appointment and see how dental implants could benefit you.
Dental implants are a safe, well-established treatment, supported by over 30 years of clinical evidence. Dr Ahmed Alshafi has a 99% success rate with the implants he has placed.
Once the dental implant has integrated with the bone and surrounding soft tissue, its life will be largely determined by the quality of at-home care and attendance at regular clinical reviews. If poorly cared for, plaque can build up, just as with natural teeth and this can lead to gum infection, bleeding and general discomfort. However, well-maintained implants can be expected to last many years and often a whole lifetime.
There is no upper age for dental implants and they are successfully used as an anchorage for dentures. Your suitability will depend on the quality of the bone in your jaw and Ahmed’s consideration of your individual case.
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