Implants
I understand that your dentist has suggested that you contact me, with a view to providing implants to replace missing teeth or to stabilise a loose denture. My name is Clive Gibson, I have been placing implants since 1988; the technique is well established, and has been used by dentists for over thirty-five years, originally in Scandinavia, and now throughout Europe and the United States.
There are very few medical contraindications to implant therapy. However, patients who are current smokers are not normally accepted for treatment. Like all complex dental procedures, it requires a high degree of co-operation from patients, with a lifelong commitment to maintaining a healthy mouth to ensure long-term success.
An implant is a small metal screw, made from titanium, with a diameter of 3.5-4.0 mm and a length of 8-16 mm; the approximate size of the natural root of a tooth. Of all the metal biomaterials, titanium is one of the best for the production of implants. It is often used for medical purposes, for example in bone plates and pacemaker casings.
Initially you would be asked to attend for a consultation appointment, which would last approximately thirty minutes. It may be necessary to take some radiographs. During this time an assessment would be made to ensure that an implant procedure is a suitable form of treatment for your specific problem. In particular, that you have sufficient bone of adequate quality to receive an implant. My fee for this consultation is £96.00. Occasionally a scanning radiograph is required, my fee for this is £36.75
The operation to place an implant is often performed under local anaesthesia. An incision is made on the gum, and the bone is carefully drilled to hold the implant. Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, the operation usually takes from one to two hours to perform. Normally one or two sutures are placed, which are removed after a period of one week. My fee for each implant is £1036.00. If required, a sedative injection may be administered in your arm for a fee of £94.
Occasionally an artificial bone substitute may be used to augment the implant site, this is most common when implants are placed immediately following a tooth extraction; unfortunately, it is not always possible to predict whether the augmentation will be required; the fee for the artificial bone substitute is £157.50 Very rarely a special membrane is needed to hold the tissue in position, in this situation there is an additional fee of £210.00.
An extended healing phase, of approximately four months duration, is indicated in order for the bone to grow onto the implant. During this time, if a temporary replacement is required for cosmetic reasons, it is normally modified from whatever denture or bridge was existing prior to the operation.
After the implant has become integrated with the bone, the definitive replacement may be provided. Impressions are taken in order for reconstruction to be undertaken in a laboratory. To give an indication of prices, for a single crown the fee is £1131.00 If a bridge of three teeth spanning two implants is planned, the fee is £3183.00. Occasionally for patients who are wearing a full denture, two or four implants are placed, that are subsequently connected by a metal bar, onto which the denture firmly clips. My fee for the bar is £4057.00, and the fee for the full denture is £1668.00.
The time involved for the last phase of treatment varies, but is normally in the region of three weeks for an uncomplicated single crown, and up to six weeks for a complex case involving both a new denture, and a bar. During this time the same temporary replacement may be worn as during the healing phase.
Please note that if you are referred to me for treatment of this kind, I will only undertake the work that I have been asked to complete by your own dentist. If anything else becomes necessary you would be treated at your own practice. It is advisable that you continue with your scheduled appointments for check ups etc.
If you decide that you would like to investigate the treatment options further, it will be necessary for your dentist to contact my practice, in order to pass on your details and to formally refer you for a consultation. In that event, my receptionist Mrs Angie Ritchie will telephone you to arrange an appointment. Car parking is available to the rear of the building. Please ask if you require a map and written directions to be sent to you prior to the initial appointment.