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Dr Chris Burton from MSG Dental Practice advises on dental implants

Many people have missing teeth, are conscious of gaps, have discomfort when eating, have to avoid avoid certain foods, or have a denture that moves around.

But dental implants can provide the solution. For the past year, MSG Dental Practice have been providing dental implants for their patients. Dental implants are incredibly strong, discreet, involve no destruction of the neighbouring teeth and may last up to 30 years! They can improve your quality of life immensely by giving patients the confidence to smile, socialise and enjoy an unrestricted diet again.

So what exactly is a dental implant?

Well, it is the closest substitute for a natural tooth that we can provide.

Put simply, it is a small titanium rod placed directly into the gum during a short procedure which is performed under local anaesthetic. Over a period of about 3 months the bone knits together with the implant and forms an incredibly strong union – you and the implant quite literally become “one”. Research has shown that bone cells are incredibly attracted to titanium and can intimately grow into the thread of the implant, on a microscopic level.

Once the implant has healed, a permanent crown can be placed on top. In some cases, a crown/bridge may be able to be placed straight away.

Dental implants aren’t just for single teeth – they can also be used to support fixed bridgework and stabilise removable dentures.

Sometimes we need additional X-rays or even 3D scans of the jaw so we can accurately assess the amount of bone you have prior to implant placement. Sometime a bone graft is required to provide more bone for the implant to sit in – these days we use a powdered form to avoid additional surgical procedures.

It rarely matters how old you are!

But beware of “cheap” implants. There are over 100 different brands of implant available and not all of them have a significant evidence base behind them. If in doubt, ask the dentist or surgeon which system they use, and why. Please also bear in mind that if you have implants abroad then who is there for you if you have problems or concerns afterwards? If the price sounds too good to be true then it probably is! Implantologists in the UK are extremely well-regulated by the General Dental Council, who demand very high standards of post-graduate training for anyone who wants to place dental implants in patients.

If you would like to explore how dental implants can benefit you then contact MSG Dental Practice on 01325 333336 for afree consultation. You can also visit our website for further information.

Dr Chris Burton BDS and Dr Lucy Sutton BDS
Principal Dental Surgeons
MSG Dental Practice
Middleton St George
Darlington
DL2 1BW
www.msgdental.co.ukmsgdental@hotmail.com01325 333336

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jonny Marshall .