Dental Implants in Sheffield

Dental implants are offered by our Sheffield branch and are carried out by Mr Julian Yates, Senior Lecturer/Honorary Consultant in Oral Surgery, at the practice.

What are dental implants and could they be for you?

Dental Implants - what are they?

Dental implants are just one way you can replace any missing teeth. Dental implants are like a replacement for the roots of your teeth – they're a metal rod that we surgically implant into your jawbone, to keep your false teeth in place.

Dental implants are usually made of titanium, a material that's quite compatible with the body. Over time, the bone in the jaw fuses with the metal implant. Dentures or bridges can then be screwed or clipped onto the metal that protrudes from your gum. Around half a dozen dental implants are enough to replace all your teeth.

Why choose dental implants?

So why would you choose to have dental implants? Some people find that their dentures move around a lot in their mouths. Dental implants are a great way of countering this. If you've lost teeth, too, your jawbone can shrink and dental implants can delay this process.

If you're considering dental implants, it's a good idea to talk to your Ideal Dental Care dentist in our Sheffield office, as they're not right for everyone. For success with dental implants, you should have good general health, be a non-smoker, and have healthy gums and a good thick jawbone. If this last criterion doesn't apply to you, you can have an operation to enlarge your jawbone.

Dental implants – the alternatives

If dental implants worry you, you might want to look at simply not replacing a missing tooth and putting up with a space, or you could consider standard dentures, although these can come loose, making eating and speaking a chore. Another alternative to dental implants are bridges, which are artificial teeth cemented onto neighbouring natural teeth.

The dental implants procedure is generally safe and comes with a high success rate. As with all surgery, some side effects could occur, however. After insertion of your dental implants, you may experience swelling and discomfort in the mouth. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help.

If you have any questions about whether dental implants could work for you, speak to Caroline McKeown in the Ideal Dental Care practice in Sheffield on 0114 267 3696.