Oral Surgery

Oral Surgery Consultants

Dental Implants

Dental Implants at Vale Healthcare's Oral Surgery Clinic

Vale Healthcare's Cardiff Bay Clinic provides an Oral Sugrery services that includes the provision of dental implants.

Dental implants are an option for replacing teeth that are missing. They can last for many years and fixed directly in to the jaw bone, placed as natural teeth are.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small rod (made of titanium) that is placed into the jawbone, enabling it to hold a false tooth (or multiple teeth) in place. Following a dental implant, the jawbone will fuse with the titanium rod, this usually takes a few month. Dentures, crowns or bridges can then be attached to the implant (usually screwed or clipped).

If you are having a small number of false teeth then one implant would support this. A full set of teeth would usually require about six implants.

Why choose Dental Implants over Dentures or Bridges

There are several reasons why you may choose to have a dental implant/s instead of having dentures (false teeth that can be removed) or a bridge fitting.

Implants can be fitted for supporting a new tooth, rather then filing existing healthy teeth (in preparation for a bridge).
Implants can help stabilise dentures (to stop them moving around in your mouth)
Implants help to reduce the reduction in jaw bone, which can occur when there are teeth missing.

Who is suitable for this surgery?

Dental implant surgery requires having a minor surgical procedure, and is performed by a qualified dental surgeon. Patients will need to have healthy gums, and be non-smokers. Your surgeon will also ask you for a medical history, as conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis and previous chemotherapy treatment may be risk factors for surgery.

What are my options if I don't have dental implants?

There are several options if you do not opt for dental implants.

Have false teeth (dentures) fitted (removable)
Have a bridge fitted - which means having false teeth fittied on to natural nearby teeth
Do nothing (empty space remains).

Dental implants - more about the procedure…

After you have met with the dental / oral surgeon and discussed your options for surgery, you may choose proceed to surgery for dental implants. Prior to this your surgeon may advise that you need to have an oral x-ray (this will all be done at Vale Healthcare's Cardiff Bay Clinic). All the elements of your procedure will then be discussed at length with your surgeon, so you are kept fully informed throughout your procedure.

Please take the information below as a guide to the procedure, and take careful note of any additional / variations to this information that are discussed with your surgeon.

Dental implants are usually performed under local anaesthetic (you are not put to sleep). This may be combined with a sedative to help you to relax, depending on your surgeon's advise. If you are having multiple dental implants then your procedure may be done under general anaesthetic.

Your surgeon will make a cut in your gum, and then drill in to the jaw bone and fix the implant in place. The next step will then depend on your course of treatment, which will be discussed and agreed with your surgeon prior to the procedure. There are several options:

Following the first procedure, you may need a second minor procedure that will uncover your gum, where the implant has been fitted, and fix your artificial tooth. This will either be permanent, or attached in a way that it can be removed if required. This is called a delayed implant and is quite common.
At the same time as the first procedure, you have an immediate impant - so your artificial tooth is fixed immediately to the implant that has just been fitted. This is less common, and there are several reasons why this procedure is often a two stage procedure (delayed) which your surgeon will discuss with you.

Following your procedure you will have a follow up appointment with your surgeon at the clinic.

Risks & Benefits of Dental Implants

The dental implant procedure is a commonly performed procedure and has a high success rate, however like any surgical procedure there are risks and side-effects that it is important to be aware of.

A risk of any surgery is a reaction to the anaesthetic, or infection post -operation. You may be prescribed some medication post-operation to reduce this risk, and if you have any concerns post-surgery then it is important for you to see your GP / contact the hospital immediately.

The risks and potential side-effects of dental implant surgery will be fully explained to you before your procedure, so you are informed every step of the way.