About Dental Implants

Dental implants are a replacement for the missing root of a tooth.  A crown is then made on top of the implant after a healing period so that it looks and feels like your own tooth again.

Implants are typically made of titanium and are placed under a local anaesethic beneath the gum into the supporting bone. 

Dental implants are most commonly usually used to get rid of dentures or to avoid needing one entirely.

They are often used instead of a dental bridge. Bridges usually require some drilling of the adjacent teeth for support of the missing tooth. We prefer to avoid drilling healthy teeth where implants are possible.

Why Choose Dental Implants?

With dental implants you can say goodbye to dentures forever. You can avoid denture adhesives and pastes forever. You can taste foods properly often for the first time in years. You can feel years younger without a plate in your mouth. 

It’s amazing the confidence that just having your own teeth can bring. You can eat all the foods you love again without cutting them into small pieces. You can kiss and laugh and smile without being concerned about your teeth. It`s an amazing feeling.

Dental implants are a great advance in dental technology, offering the ability to replace missing teeth without dentures. This allows patients to get back  what was once impossible. Until recently, dentistry was about taking things out... Dentists would frequently take out any teeth that were causing problems which left many people without teeth and with little comfort.. 

Without a tooth root, the jawbone will begin to reduce in density and volume which can cause the face to collapse. This happens over time and ages a person often very considerably. Dental implants, when maintained properly, help prevent any further bone loss. 

Advantages of Dental Implants

• Improved appearance: Dental implants can look and feel like your own teeth. 
• Improved comfort: Because they become part of you, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.
• Easier eating: Ill-fitting dentures can make chewing difficult. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence.
• Improved self-esteem: Dental implants can give you back your smile and often a new lease of life.
• Improved oral health: Dental implants don't require drilling away other teeth (as a tooth-supported bridge does). Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene.
• Reduced Bone Loss- Anywhere a healthy dental implant is located and in function is less likely to lose jaw bone and the overlying soft tissues.
• Reduced Ageing- By helping maintain the jawbone, dental implants help to reduce facial collapse and premature ageing.
• Durability: Implants are very durable and with proper care can last a lifetime.
• Convenience: Removable dentures are just that, removable. Dental implants eliminate the embarrassing inconvenience of removing dentures, as well as the need for messy adhesives to keep them in place.

• Sucess Rates- Implants are approximately 98% successful after the inital healing period. Over time this drops down to approx 90% at 10 years. Patients who smoke, have poor dental hygiene or who grind their teeth are at higher risk of problems. Failures can occur in otherwise healthy individuals however, siometimes for unknown reasons.
• Surgical Procedure- They require a small surgical procedure to place them under local anaesthetic. Not everyone is healthy enough or willing to undergo the necessary procedure.
• Individual Healing Required- You need to have a healthy mouth and good immune system to heal properly after dental implant placement. If you are significantly immunocompromised or on iv bisphonosphates they may not be a good choice.
• Complications- Not every patient heals exactly as they should and sometimes extra appointments may be required for reviews or adjustments. Crowns may loosen on implants and fractures are possible. These risks are reduced by good implant selection and good technique but can never be fully eliminated.
• Ongoing Maintenance Required- They require healthy gums and ongoing maintenance as regular teeth do. It is recommended to see the dental hygienist at least twice a year to help keep gum and bone healthy. For those who are unable to brush their teeth then it may be better to keep wearing full dentures.
• Time- While teeth in a day is possible in some cases (usualy full arch), typically it takes at least a few months to get teeth on dental implants.
• Costs- They are more expensive than dentures and will not suit everyone's budget.
• Pain- Typically any pain is gone within 3-5 days after placement. In extremely rare cases pain may persist beyond this or even become chronic. This may be more likely in people with preexisting chronic pain conditions or  those with some forms of depression.

Technology & Advanced Training

Choosing the right clinic for dental implants can be a very stressful experience. There are so many ads out there for clinics all offering different things at varying prices. Do you choose the seemingly cheap dental implants performed overseas or go with a dependable clinic at home or anything in-between?

There are a few things you should consider, regardless where you live in the world. 

Technology- Using advanced digital CT scanners is absolutely essential these days in order to correctly plan dental implants.  These 3D scans allow the dentist to check exactly where bone, nerves and sinuses are. Check if your dentist utilises 3d planing and potentially also guided surgery to ensure the results are the best possible

Qualifications- What further training in dental implants has your surgeon had? Dental school barely skims over implants and so it's important to check what experience and training your specific dentist has.ati

Sedation- Is oral or IV sedation available? This can dramatically increase your comfort during the procedure. Many patients will not remember anything with sedation. Make sure there is good monitoring available in your clinic for maximum safety. This is unfortunately particularly a concern in Turkey where there have been several deaths of Irish patients in recent years.

Cases- Ask your dentist to show you a sample of their own work. Many patients don't want their images promoted on the web but a good surgeon will have a portfiolio they can show you of what they are capable of.

Zero Bone Loss Techniques- This is the gold standard of care and what you should be looking for when choosing dental implants. 

Further Reading- It's important to have as much information as possible before getting treatment done so that you know it`s the right treatment for you. If you read the book we published - Dental Implants: A Guide for Patients, you will be as informed as possible before going ahead wherever you decide to go. You may also find some of our TV & Radio appearances useful as a reference.

Upfront Pricing- Does a clinic promise huge discounts off costs in your local area? It's worth checking out real prices where you live to see if the promised savings are actually as big as suggested. Remember to factor in costs for travel, time off work, tax relief & the need to return to the clinic if there are any issues down the line.

Costs?

Finding out the exact dental implant costs can be particularly bewildering. Some clinics advise on a low cost implant, but the small print says it only applies with 10 or more implants. Others give an implant fee which doesn't include the post or the crown on top or even the surgery to place it. That can be deeply frustrating for patients but it's important you are aware of what to expect.

Most patients do not want to attend a clinic which is trying to deceive them from the outset. After all you are buying something which will hopefully be a permanent fixture in your mouth where trust is absolutely essential.

Having our own on-site dental laboratory also makes life much more comfortable for patients. If a tooth on a denture breaks it can be fixed the same day while you wait. If you are having teeth out the clinic can make sure you leave with at least a temporary tooth the same day. That saves discomfort and embarrassment which you can`t put a price on.

The most important thing about Seapoint though is definitely its people. They are all exceptionally kind and are all too aware of how nervous some people can be. Our aim is to make it the best dental experience you have ever had.