Dental Implants
Why should you replace missing teeth? The loss or damage to a tooth can have a huge impact on your everyday life, teeth function, appearance and self-esteem.
- Dental Implants offer a long-term, stable and natural-looking solution to missing teeth. People can lose their teeth for many reasons such as accident, illness or poor maintenance. Whatever the reasons for tooth loss, it can have a devastating impact on your quality of life.
- Missing teeth can make you worry about biting into hard foods. You may also become self-conscious of your appearance and avoid smiling in photos. If you currently have dentures, you may suffer discomfort or find they move around. If these problems sound familiar, then dental implants could provide a solution.
- Dental Implants can be used in both aesthetic and functional treatments. Whether you’re missing a single tooth or multiple teeth, or would like a secure option to anchor dentures, at our dental clinic in Sutton we provide a full dental implant service including the long-term care of your dental implant.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Advanced solution – dental implants offer an advanced solution for patients with missing or loose teeth or those seeking an alternative to dentures.
- Aesthetics – dental implant crowns are carefully matched in colour to your real teeth and will look almost the same as your natural teeth, people will barely notice the difference.
- Function – dental implants function just as well as your own natural teeth allowing you to eat a wide variety of foods and also speak with complete confidence, you won’t have to worry about loose dentures moving around.
- No preparation of adjacent teeth – by replacing lost teeth with implants, no support is required of the adjacent teeth, thus your natural teeth do not need to be filed down or modified in any way.
- Facial structure and bone growth – dental implants preserve facial structure by stopping the deterioration of your jaw-bone, thus preventing loss of valuable bone structure and facial sinking.
Why Choose Sutton Dental & Medical Clinic for Dental Implants?
Meet our Implantologist
Dr. Nikolaos Tatarakis
Dr. Nikolaos Tatarakis is a highly experienced dentist with a special interest in dental implantology and advanced restorative dentistry. In 2011, Dr Tatarakis received a prestigious clinical and research scholarship by the International Team for Implantology.
Between 2012-2016, he held Clinical Teaching and Research Associate positions at the Eastman Dental Institute, supervising graduate students and conducting clinical research. He is currently a staff member of Centre for Oral Clinical Research of the Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London. Nikolas holds memberships of professional and educational associations in implants and periodontics and lectures and publishes in these fields.
Nikolas accepts referrals that require the diagnosis and management of the whole spectrum of periodontal and peri-implant diseases and conditions, including oral plastic and regenerative procedures as well as for implant surgery.
Experience
Our implantologist, Dr. Nikolaos Tatarakis, has a wealth of expertise and experience drawn from successfully placing many implants. From the moment you walk in for your first consultation you’ll experience our patient-first philosophy and find that we take the time to answer all your questions. We use implants with an established track record and excellent clinical results to make sure of the best possible results for our patients.
Technology
Precision is paramount in dental implant procedures. Our skilled implantologist uses computer-guided implant surgery, ensuring accuracy and optimal implant placement. This technology enhances the predictability and success of implant procedures while minimising discomfort and speeding up recovery time for our patients.
Types of Dental Implants
- Single Dental Implant
For a single missing tooth, a dental implant is the most effective, natural-looking, and long-term replacement option. A dental implant replaces both the missing tooth and its root. It involves placing an artificial root in your jawbone, which supports a tooth-shaped crown, colour-matched to blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth. Once placed, the implant is as strong as a natural tooth. At our dental clinic in Sutton, our implant team has extensive experience of fitting single implants. - All-on-4 Implants
The All-on-4 dental implant technique offers a revolutionary solution for full-arch restoration. Using just four strategically positioned implants, patients can enjoy a completely restored set of teeth with stability and function similar to natural teeth. Our Sutton implantologist is experienced in the All-on-4 approach, providing a life-changing option for those suffering from extensive tooth loss. - Same-Day Dental Implants
In today’s busy world, where time-efficient dental care is essential, we’re proud to offer same-day or “teeth-in-a-day” implants. This advanced procedure allows for the placement and restoration of dental implants in a single visit, minimizing downtime and providing immediate functionality. Please book an dental implant consultation to find out if this procedure could work for you. - Implant-Retained Dentures
Implant-retained dentures, also known as hybrid dentures, combine the stability of dental implants with the convenience of removable dentures. This innovative solution is ideal for patients looking for a middle ground between the permanence of implants and the flexibility of traditional dentures. It fixes the dentures in place, preventing movement and discomfort. - Full Mouth Reconstruction
Full mouth reconstruction is recommended for patients with multiple broken, worn, or missing teeth. In some cases, patients may have no teeth or a set of failing teeth, requiring restoration of every tooth using a variety of restorative dental techniques. At our dental clinic in Sutton, it’s possible to completely restore your smile. Our implantologist can determine whether the method of full arch reconstruction would be suitable for you during your dental implant consultation. - Implant Supporting Treatments
For dental implants to be successful, there must be enough bone to support them. You may not have enough bone because of tooth loss from periodontal (gum) disease, injury or trauma, or a developmental defect. If your jaw is too short, too narrow, or both, you’ll need a procedure to add bone to your jaw before implants can be placed. There are several different procedures, including synthetic bone graft, sinus graft, soft tissue graft and block graft, that can be used for bone augmentation. We’ll recommend a procedure depending on the type, location and number of implants to be used and discuss all of the options with you during your dental implant consultation.
Dental Implants FAQs
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium, surgically placed into the jawbone to support replacement teeth. They are designed to resemble natural teeth, and the replacement teeth attached to these implants are custom-made to match the size, shape, and colour of the patient’s existing teeth, resulting in a natural-looking smile.
Most adults in good general health with sufficient jawbone density can be candidates for dental implants. However, a comprehensive evaluation by a dentist or oral surgeon is necessary to determine if implants are the best option for each individual.
The cost of dental implants varies depending on several factors, such as the number of implants needed, the type of implant, and any additional procedures. For an indication of costs, please visit our Fees page or contact our Sutton dental clinic for assistance.
Dental implants are usually placed under local anaesthetic, which minimises pain during the procedure. Patients may feel some discomfort from the injection, but significant pain is uncommon. Mild soreness and discomfort after the procedure are normal and can generally be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
With proper care and maintenance, dental implants can last a very long time. However, factors such as oral hygiene, lifestyle habits, and overall health can influence their longevity.
Dental implants have a high success rate, typically over 95%. Factors influencing success include the patient’s overall health, oral hygiene practices, and the expertise of the dentist performing the procedure.
The dental implant process usually takes several months and involves multiple stages. After the initial consultation and treatment planning, implant placement is followed by a healing period of around 3 to 6 months, depending on the patient’s health, bone density, and the complexity of the procedure, before the final restoration is completed.
Dental implants offer several benefits, including greater stability and durability compared to dentures or bridges. They help maintain jawbone density, prevent bone loss, and do not require altering adjacent teeth, as bridges do.
In some cases, “same-day implants” or “teeth-in-a-day” procedures allow for the placement of implants and temporary teeth on the same day. However, not all patients are suitable candidates for this approach, and the traditional implant procedure usually involves a healing period of several months before the final restoration.
The All-on-4 procedure replaces an entire arch of teeth using just four strategically placed implants. This method avoids the need for individual implants for each missing tooth and allows for the immediate attachment of a fixed prosthesis or denture on the day of surgery.
While dental implants are generally safe, risks can include infection, nerve damage, implant failure, and complications like peri-implantitis (inflammation around the implant). These risks are rare and can be minimised by selecting a skilled and experienced dentist.
Dental implants require regular oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups, similar to natural teeth. Additional care may be needed to clean around the implants and maintain their longevity. Your Sutton dentist will provide personalised care instructions.
Choose a dentist who is experienced and qualified in implant dentistry. Inquire about their training, experience, and success rates with implant procedures. Reading patient reviews or seeking recommendations from friends or family can also be helpful.
Gum disease can impact the success of dental implants by causing bone loss and compromising implant stability. However, in some cases, implants may be placed after treating and controlling gum disease. Your dentist will assess your oral health to determine if you are a suitable candidate for implants.