Implants

What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is made of titanium and shaped like a screw. The implant is placed into the jawbone and serves as a secure root for the new tooth. Once in place, the implant can be used to attach different types of dental restorations, such as crowns, bridges or dentures. With the Atra Tech Dental Implant System, you are able to get long-lasting teeth that work, feel and look like natural ones!

How long has dental implant treatment been practised?
Patients have been successfully treated with dental implants since the mid-sixties. Today there are people who have had their dental implants for more than thirty years! The Astra Tech Dental Implant System has a unique design, which has been proven in clinical studies to give safe and predictable long-lasting results.

When is a dental implant an alternative?
Whether you are missing one tooth, several teeth or have lost all your teeth, dental implants are the permanent way to get new ones.

When you have lost one tooth
If you have one single tooth missing, a single crown on an implant is generally the best way to restore your chewing function and natural appearance.

When you have lost several teeth
If you have several teeth missing, a bridge or crowns supported by several implants, will restore your functions and looks.

When you have lost all your teeth
If all of your teeth are missing in the upper or lower jaw, you can choose either a full bridge supported by implants or a denture retained by implants. A full bridge is fixed to five or more implants and can only be removed by the dentist. The implant supported denture is connected via attachments to two or more implants, allowing easy removal. When in place, the denture is firmly attached
to the implants and there is no risk of it coming loose. Your exact treatment depends on your individual situation and personal preference. The type and amount of bone, as well as, functional conditions will all play a role in the best treatment option for you. Talk with your dentist and find out more. Whether you have a "fixed" bridge or an implant supported denture, you will be able to speak, chew and smile with confidence.

What are the alternatives to dental implants?
The conventional alternatives to dental implants can be a bridge, a partial removable denture or a full removable denture. If you are missing a single tooth, one option is to have have a bridge attached to the back of the two adjacent teeth, an enamel-retained bridge. The durability of this kind of treatment is usually limited. You can also have a conventional bridge which includes cutting down the adjacent teeth. You may have to have the bridge redone a couple of times in your lifetime. A conventional removable partial denture or removable full denture may have a tendency to loosen with normal eating, talking and smiling. This can cause a feeling of insecurity.

During normal function, our natural teeth stimulate and maintain the bone of our jaws. If one or more of our natural teeth are missing, we will actually lose bone through the years. As more bone is lost, it will become more and more difficult for a conventional denture to be stable. One very important advantage with Astra Tech Dental Implants is that they stimulate and preserve the bone of our jaws.

Does the treatment hurt?
As the implants are installed under local anesthesia, you will not feel any pain during the surgery. The treated area may be swollen for a few days afterwards, which could be slightly painful, in most cases an ordinary painkiller is all you may need to feel fine.

How much will it cost?
Having an implant treatment is an investment in your future and quality of life. To have new teeth that feel like your own is a highly valued experience. It is a great and affordable treatment that will save you from other dental expenses in the future. The extent of your treatment will determine your cost. Ask your dentist about your case, and the possibilities of setting up a finance scheme.

Will my new teeth feel like my own?
Yes! Since the Astra Tech Dental Implants are anchored in your jawbone, they function as your ordinary teeth when you are chewing,
talking and laughing. Most people do not feel any difference between their natural teeth and their new ones.

Will my new teeth look like my own?
Yes! It usually takes a dentist to spot the difference. They look so much like your own! , Can / keep my other teeth? Yes, of course! With dental implants you don't have to sacrifice healthy teeth to restore missing ones. Unlike conventional bridges orpartial dentures, no adjacent teeth are affected or needed for support.

Does my age matter?
Your age is normally not relevant-more important is your health. But if you are under eighteen, you must be examined to make sure you have finished growing before you can undergo implant treatment.

How safe are dental implants?
Extensive clinical studies show positive long-term results for dental implants. The unique design and the TiOblast™ surface give superior strength and ensure that the teeth stay securely in place. The threads on the fixture anchor the implant and preserve the bone. This maintains the soft tissue contour which is important for a natural look.

Why are the screws made of titanium?
Titanium is a metal accepted by the body. The process by which the bone grows onto the metal in a very close, "integrated" way is known as osseointegration.

How many visits to the dentist does the treatment involve?
it depends on your dental health and the exact treatment that is best for you. Some people need only one operation, while others need two. With the initial examination, the surgery, post surgery check-up, the prosthetic work and one recall, it normally takes about 6-8 visits until the treatment is completed.

Will I sleep during the treatment?
No, normally you will be given a local anesthetic, sometimes in combination with a sedative. Your dentist can arrange for you to sleep if you prefer. If you are about to have bone transplantation, general anesthesia may be indicated.

Do I have to be without teeth during the treatment?
No, everybody can use some kind of temporary prosthesis or temporary crown. Bone-transplanted patients may have to wait a while before putting any load on the transplanted area.

How do I take care of my new teeth?
Thorough daily brushing and flossing is essential to ensure a long-lasting result. Your dentist or dental hygienist will show you the proper way to take care of your new teeth.

How long do I have to be off work?
After the implants have been installed, some swelling or bruising is normal. However, most people are able to go back to work the next day.

Do I have to stop smoking?
It is highly recommended to stop smoking. Smoking affects the healing process and may reduce the long-term prognosis.

Can coffee, tea or wine damage or discolour my new teeth?
No more than they would natural teeth. Your dentist will recommend what kind of toothpaste to use to prevent this.

For more information www.astratechuk.com