Missing one Tooth

Missing one Tooth

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Your teeth restored for life

If you are missing one tooth or more, you may soon find that there are other things you miss. You may miss the comfort and confidence associated with your own teeth and the ability to enjoy all kinds of food. In short you may miss living as you have always lived.

Fortunately, you can choose from a number of ways to replace lost teeth. But there is only one perfect solution. When you replace one tooth or several teeth with permanent dental implants you don’t harm either other teeth or your gum. The implant feels and serves exactly like real teeth. Furthermore, they stay in place for as long as real teeth (or even longer).

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The Branemark System®

NMC Royal Hospital uses the internationally renowned Swedish Branemark System. This implant system is based on osseointegration, a medical phenomenon which showed that when pure titanium comes into direct contact with living bone, the two materials literally integrate. The Branemark System is used to treat both complete and partial tooth loss. Small titanium screw-like elements (fixtures) placed in the jawbone act as new dental roots. A titanium abutment is connected to the fixture and a dental crown or bridge is screwed on the abutment. The Branemark System is by far the best documented implant system. Success rates of 90-99% on long-term follow- up are far higher than those of other systems. More than 700,000 people all over the world have benefited from this system.

The Procedure

Step 1. Fixture placement

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Using a precise technique, small screw-like “dental roots” made of titanium are fixed in the jawbone. The procedure is normally performed under local anaesthesia and no major discomfort is felt either during or after the procedure.

The healing period

A period of between three to six months is usually allowed to enable the jawbone to accept, or “osseointegrate” the fixtures. However, in cases of good bone quality, no healing period at all may be required.

Step 2. The abutment

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Once the titanium roots have permanently anchored to the jawbone, extensions - also known as “abutments”, are attached to them. These extend through the gums and receive the finished crown or bridge in the final stage.

Step 3. The prosthetics

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Having decided on the appearance, the crown or bridge is prepared from impressions taken from the mouth. This is anchored to the implants and need not be removed. You now have permanent teeth once again.

What are the benefits of implants?

With hardly any noticeable difference between your natural teeth and those which are built onto an implant,

  • You can talk, laugh and smile without worrying. Your new teeth are firmly anchored and feel just like your own teeth.
  • You can eat what you like without any problem.
  • This is a safe, reliable treatment method.
  • You recover your natural smile.
  • There is no need to file adjacent teeth as is done in the case of a conventional bridge.

It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the demand for implant treatment is increasing every year.

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Would an implant suit you?

The state of your oral health and the quality and quantity of jawbone are factors that will assist your dentist in determining your suitability for implants With the development of newer techniques, however, virtually everyone, young and old alike, who has lost or is in the process of losing a tooth can be treated using implants.

Your Questions answered

Q. Is the procedure painful?

A. The implants are placed in a very gentle fashion under local anaesthesia. Most patients report that they experience no more discomfort than during a routine dental procedure.

Q. How long do implants last?

A. The Branemark System implants have been in use for over 32 years. Long term studies have shown that bridges supported by these implants last over 15 years in 90% of cases. There is every indication that they will last for much longer.

Q. Can all tooth losses be replaced with this method?

A. Yes, in addition to the totally-edentulous cases, it is also possible to replace less extensive losses and even single teeth.

Q. How long will the treatment take?

A. This would depend upon your particular condition. Normally a 4-7 months period is required for the entire process. During this time you are able to live normally with your existing denture, if any.

Q. Are complications common?

A. Serious, far-reaching complications are extremely unusual. Rarely, it is possible that some implants fail to completely integrate with the jawbone. In such cases, either a detachable bridge can be used or you may decide to have more implants placed when the jawbone has healed.

Q. What care is required after treatment is complete?

A. The oral hygiene requirements are the same as for natural teeth. Daily brushing and flossing will help to assure the longterm success of your treatment.

Other Dental Services

The Department of Dentistry, Orthodontics and Dental Implantology at NMC Royal Hospital also offers the following services:

General Dentistry, such as routine examinations, interval check ups, instruction in preventive measures, dental hygiene, etc.

Aesthetic Dentistry, including bleaching, bonding and veneers.

Prosthetic Dentistry, including crowns, bridges and dentures.

Restorative Dentistry, such as fillings, repair of chipped teeth and other dental injuries, etc.

Orthodontics, including treatment planning with computerised cephalometric X-ray analyses.

Orthognathic Surgery for the correction of jaw deformities, etc.

Pedodontics (Paediatric Dentistry).

Periodontics - treatment of various gum diseases.

Oral and Maxillo-facial Surgery, including treatment of fractures and other facial trauma, all types of dentoalveolar surgery for children and adults, removal of cysts and other oral lesions, etc.

Dental procedures under sedation or general anaesthesia.