All About Implants

Alternatives to dentures and bridges

Your dentist may have recommended that you get a dental implant as an alternative to traditional dentures or bridge work. Dental implants are an artificial replacement for missing normal tooth. It offers more comfort and stability than dentures, can restore the ability to chew food properly and may also improve speech and facial appearance.

If something happens to your normal teeth, you can continue to live with confidence with dental implants from Zimmer Biomet. Unlike dentures or bridgework, dental implants are a proven treatment which lasts for many years. Dental implants look and feel like normal teeth, and eliminate the potential problem of traditional dentures slipping or coming loose.

For more than twenty years, dental implants have been used effectively to treat people just like you. Dental implants are a safe, medically proven alternative to old style dentures, dental implants give you back a confident smile. Working with Zimmer Biomet Dental, we offer the most advanced dental implants and prosthetics available.

To find out more about Implants click the Zimmer Biomet logo below:

What is an implant?

Dental implants are effectively “anchors” that resemble cylinders or screws and are used as the foundation for implants or “prosthetic teeth”. Implants can be used in upper and lower jaws, implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone to act as a stable foundation for artificial replacement teeth. The implant itself acts as the root of the new implant tooth. The structure placed over the implant will look and perform like the normal tooth that was lost.

How do implants differ from dentures?

Unlike dentures, dental implants are not removed overnight for cleaning, need no adhesives and do not require anchoring to healthy teeth, thus removing the necessity for bridges. Implants are the nearest thing available to a replacement natural tooth.

How are implants placed?

Implant surgery is a three-step process, performed in a dental surgery:

The first step in the process is for your dentist to surgically place an implant into your jawbone, this is positioned to act like a natural tooth root. The implant will normally remain covered in the mouth for three to six months which will allow bone to develop around the implant, this will then help hold the final implant solidly in place.
Once bone has developed, your dentist reveals the implant and then attaches a post, also called an extension. Once this is complete the gum tissue surrounding the post then needs to heal, this normally then requires several more months.
Once healing around the post is complete, the implant is ready to serve as the foundation for a new “artificial” tooth. The dentist then creates a crown, or other artificial tooth replacement and installs it to the implant post.

The entire process of Implant treatment can take between five to nine months to complete, the final duration depending upon the patient’s rate of healing. Dentists give specific instructions to patients on how to care for their dental implants. It is important that patients carefully follow these instructions to ensure the success of the implant procedure.

How effective are implants?

The best candidates for implants are those who are in good general health who have healthy gums and sufficient bone structure. Depending on the mouth position, implants are normally between 80 and 95% effective. People who clench their teeth, smoke, grind their teeth or have a history of radiation therapy may find Implant treatment less effective. Patients with osteoporosis with have bone loss in the jaw or diabetes may also be at risk of complications. When implant treatment is unsuccessful, it is usually because of the following:

Poor oral hygiene, which leads to infection or impaired healing.
Too much pressure placed on the implant structure, this commonly occurs when you grind your teeth, this can lead to the implant moveing.

How much do implants cost?

Implants are typically more expensive than dentures or bridges, but they more closely simulate the appearance and function of natural teeth. Please refer to our Fees page for further details on implant pricing.