Dental Implants offer the most elegant way of replacing missing teeth. They are not always possible but when appropriate they are as close to the ‘real thing’ as you can get.
Significantly they are a ‘stand-alone’ solution that should inflict no damage on neighbouring teeth. They can be used to replace a single missing tooth, to support a bridge or to secure dentures.
A natural tooth has two main parts:
– The crown (1) that sits above the gums
– The root (2) that sits below the gumline
Implants have an implant crown (3) that sits above the gums. This i is carefully crafted to look and feel like a healthy, natural tooth that feels like part of you.
The implant crown is supported by the implant fixture (4) that sits below the gumline. This replaces the function of a natural root and, if looked after properly, could last a lifetime. It stimulates the bone (5) to attach to the titanium thread of the implant, providing a completely stable foundation for the new crown – a process known as osseointegration. It usually takes eight to twelve weeks for the bone to securely bond to the entire implant surface.
The gum (6) adapts to the contour of the implant crown.
St Oswald's Dental Surgery
Knockhundred Row
Midhurst
West Sussex
GU29 9DQ
Parking on the high street is free for one hour. If you need longer, the North Street and Post Office car parks are both just a short walk away.