Conventional ImplantsMr Mills has been providing implant treatment since 1988 and is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) and Association of Dental Implantology (ADI)
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a metal post made from titanium which is a metal rarely rejected by the body. It is surgically implanted into the bone of the jaw to eventually help support a crown, bridge or denture to replace single or multiple missing teeth. SuitabilityA consultation and X-Ray diagnoses is required to assess suitability. Any one over the age of 18 years is suitable providing there is enough bone available. Patients in their 70's and 80's have benefited from implant treatment to significantly improve their quality of life. Certain medical or psychological problems may prevent treatment. When to Consider Implant TreatmentIt is best to consider implant treatment before any planned extractions, or immediately following any tooth loss. Once teeth are lost, there is immediately set into motion a natural, lifelong, but irreversible process of gum and bon loss where the missing teeth once stood. If teeth have been lost many years previously, there may not be sufficient bone available to place implants. However, in some cases, lack of bone can be overcome using bone regeneration techniques (bone augmentation). TreatmentAll implant treatment from initial consultation to complete, is provided by Mr Mills. A surgical procedure is used to place the implants. The number of implants used depends upon the number of missing teeth being replaced plus other factors such as the amount and quality of bone. Stitches are removed 10 - 14 days later. The implants are then left for up to 6 months. During this period the bone grows onto and fuses with the implant (a process called osseointegration) so the implant eventually become firmly embedded in the jaw. After 6 months a minor surgical procedure is used to uncover the implants (until this point they are hidden under the gums). Preparation then commences to make the new crown, bridge or denture which eventually will be fitted to the implant or implants to replace missing teeth. Treatment TimeImplant treatment is prolonged, complex and involves an average of 6 - 8 appointments. A normal case take about 10 months to complete. More complex cases can take between 16 - 24 months. 
Implants are not "Fit & Forget"
Implant are not fit and forget. They represent micro engineering in the mouth and like a quality new car, must be regularly service if they are to give many years of trouble free service. Ongoing regular maintenance includes a dental examination and professional cleaning every 6 months. Patients with gum problems may require more frequent professional cleaning. On a daily basis, the patient must keep their mouth and implant areas as clean and plaque free as possible. Ensuring Long-Term SuccessThe very factors that cause gum disease and loss of teeth can also cause the failure of implants. To ensure your implants last means brushing your own teeth, implant crowns or bridges and abutments after every meal and at bedtime. Implant support dentures must be removed daily for cleaning. Food debris, plaque and calculus must not be allowed to stagnate around implants and under the gums. Any debris could allow bacteria to track down under the gums and destroy the bone into which the implant is firmly embedded. Failure of an implant can also mean failure of the restoration it is supporting.
Mr Mills own 21 years experience of placing implants and research confirms that when implants are well maintained both professionally and personally on a regular ongoing basis, they last longer than conventional crown and bridgework. Many implants are still functioning well after 20 years. Even the best maintained implant crown, bridge or denture will eventually need replacing with new due to natural wear and tear. Providing the implant is still sound, it is a simple matter of replacing the worn restoration with new. Mini Implants
Mini implants are used exclusively to secure full dentures, but especially lower dentures. They cannot be used in conjunction with other natural teeth. Mini implants can be fitted to an existing (if in good condition) or a new denture. Their Major Benefit is Time Unlike conventional implant treatment which is very prolonged, after an initial consultation, treatment can be complete in a single two hour visit. Using a painless minor surgical procedure, the mini implants are placed in the jaw, attachments fitted to the denture and then the denture is fitted and adjusted. Beneficial results are immediate. The denture is secure and the patient can eat, drink, smile and laugh confidently straight away without the fear of the denture falling out. Normally six mini implants would be needed to secure a full upper denture and four mini implant used to secure a full lower denture. Dentures supported by mini implants must be removed daily for cleaning. N.B. If new dentures are to be made prior to placing mini implants, then several appointments over a number of weeks will be needed to make them. |
