At Smiles Dental Care in Ballymena, we are experts in replacing teeth. Using the latest dental technology we can help you achieve a beautiful, natural smile.
A dental implant is a fixed solution for one or more missing teeth, and can help restore both your smile and your quality of life.
An implant is made up of an artificial titanium root that is fixed to the jawbone, with a crown or bridge fitted on top. They can be made to look and feel just like natural teeth. If you are concerned about your replacement teeth looking realistic or coming loose, implants are an ideal option.
Implants also safeguard your overall dental health. Replacing missing teeth is extremely important, as missing teeth cause bone loss which can age your face, and could potentially cause adjacent teeth to become loose too.
There are several different types of implant available depending on your needs. Your Smiles Dental Care dentist will discuss all the options with you to find the best solution.
An implant is a great choice for a single missing tooth, whether it’s visible or not, and the results can be life-changing. A single implant provides the foundation for a crown, which will be created at Smiles Dental Care to match your teeth exactly.
If you’re missing more than one tooth, there are a number of options available to you at Smiles Dental Care. In some cases a single implant can support two replacement teeth, or two implants can support a fixed bridge if you have several missing teeth. A bridge is a long-lasting, natural-looking solution which will help preserve the health of the rest of your teeth and jaw.
Assessment: Every treatment begins with an assessment from your local Smiles Dental Care dentist who will be performing your implant treatment. They will discuss all the options with you, make an assessment of the best solution for you, and ensure you understand every step of your treatment. You will have an x-ray and, in some cases, a CT scan to help visualise your jaw, ensure your gums are healthy and that there is enough jaw bone to place the implant.
The treatment: This is when the implant is placed into your jaw. It’s a straightforward process which can be completed under local anaesthetic. If you are particularly nervous or have a dental phobia, your dentist will make sure you feel absolutely comfortable with the treatment, and can provide sedation if needed.
The implants will need three to six months to heal and integrate with your jaw bone to provide a solid support for the crown or bridge.
Depending on your treatment and your dentist’s diagnosis, a temporary crown can be fitted at the same time as your initial appointment. Same day teeth is a modern procedure which enables you to walk out of the clinic with brand new teeth in just one day. These will stay in place until the final restoration appointment.
Once your jaw has healed, your dentist will take an impression of your mouth. This enables a dental technician to build your bespoke crown or bridge, which will be colour matched to blend seamlessly with your other teeth.
Restoration:It may be necessary to have a separate appointment between six weeks and six months after your initial treatment, to allow the implant to fully integrate. This ensures that your jaw has completely healed before the crown or bridge is permanently fitted.
Your smile is now complete.
As with natural teeth, good oral hygiene is important for preventing gum disease and prolonging the life of your implants. You do not need to remove the teeth fitted to your implants, but clean them as you would your natural teeth. A high standard of daily care, along with regular check-ups with your local Smiles Dental Care dentist and hygienist, will help to ensure your mouth stays healthy and your implants last as long as possible.
Contact Smiles Dental Care today to find out more about dental implants and how they could work for you.
Treatments
Our Smiles Dental Care dentists can help restore your confidence with replacements for missing teeth: from single implants to bridges, only you will know they’re there.
Treatments
Our Smiles Dental Care dentists are experienced in restoring smiles and cosmetic dentistry. We use smart technology and expert techniques to achieve your dental goals.