An erupted tooth tarnishes your smile? Tired of a shifting denture or bridge? A tooth implant in the UK could be the solution. It's not a quick and cheap solution, but it is very durable and definitely worthwhile. It won't be easy to place in every case, but the final result will make up for the long procedure. See the step-by-step process of tooth insertion and what price of an implant provides good value for money.

Implant dentistry is one of the fields of dentistry that has conquered the dental world in recent years. No wonder, as there is no more effective method of replacing an extracted tooth. A tooth implant is inserted in several stages, so if you are considering it, you will need to prepare yourself for several extended visits to the dentist.

If you want a beautiful smile but don't feel that implants in the UK are for you, be sure to read our article on veneers or types of braces.

What exactly is a tooth implant?

A tooth implant is actually a screw implanted in your jaw or mandible. It is made of titanium, so it fuses with your natural bone tissue, becoming an integral part of it. How is this possible? When the tooth implant fuses with the bone in the alveolus, a layer of titanium dioxide is produced on its surface. This condition causes the screw to fuse to the bone as strongly as if it were part of your own bones.

This screw is the tooth implant into which the crown is screwed. There are different types of crowns, which differ in the type of material used to produce them. The most popular are porcelain crowns. Their phenomenon is that they perfectly imitate teeth and have a colour that can be matched perfectly to the colour of your natural teeth.

Which crown to choose?

A porcelain crown is one of the more expensive options. There are also cheaper solutions, namely acrylic crowns. However, acrylic accepts colours from food, so this solution is used when the tooth implant is temporary before the permanent solution is applied.

Implantology is constantly developing, so a tooth implant can be made permanent by more than one method. It is possible to insert a metal tooth, veneered with porcelain, but metals are not inert to the body, so we do not recommend this solution.

In the world of implantology, the top screw-on crown for tooth implants is the zirconia crown. Zirconium is an extremely durable mineral, and for many years it was unavailable to dentistry because of its incredible hardness, which made it difficult to work with. However, modern technology makes it possible to create a wax model of the crown, which is reproduced precisely from this diamond-like hard material. The final step is ceramic veneering, which gives the crown the appearance of a natural tooth that is virtually indestructible.

I'm ready for implants in the UK. What's in store for me?

If you want to replace the gaps in your smile with an implant, you need to prepare yourself. The process itself can theoretically take place in a single procedure, but in practice this is almost impossible. What does a step-by-step tooth insertion look like?

First step - a sound consultation

Without a thorough medical history, you have no hope of getting a tooth implant. This is a surgical procedure, so your doctor will ask you carefully about your health and past medical conditions, and will also take a panoramic radiograph to assess the condition of your jawbone or jawbone.

However, bone loss or atrophy does not close the door to having a tooth implant placed in the UK. Your doctor may decide to perform a guided bone regeneration procedure to allow the placement of a titanium screw.

During the interview, the dentist will also check for any other contraindications to the procedure. The most common of these are pregnancy, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, smoking or parodontosis. The procedure also cannot be performed in people taking certain medications on a permanent basis.

If you want to find out more make an appointment in our practice.

I want implants in the UK - I need to have healthy teeth

If, after a consultation, the dentist gives the green light - it is time to treat any cavities and remove tartar. The mouth must be healthy in every way before a tooth insertion is carried out.

Healthy teeth are not only important when you are planning implants in the UK. Why? Decayed teeth are a danger to the health of the whole body - Find out more in our article.

Third stage - surgery

In the third step, the actual tooth implant will be inserted. The procedure takes about half an hour and is carried out under general or local anaesthetic. At this stage, the implant and the prosthetic abutment, into which the final crown will be screwed, are placed in the jawbone or jawbone.

Once the bone has fused in the alveolus with the titanium screw, a special healing screw may or may not be screwed into the gingiva to speed up the whole process.

The final step - the prosthetic stage

Once the implant has fused with the bone, it is time to screw in the crown. This is known as the prosthetic stage, which mostly takes place in the prosthodontist's office and involves preparing the crown in the correct shape and colour. During a short visit, the tooth will be inserted in its proper place.

Interestingly - one implant does not necessarily involve the insertion of just one crown. A screw can hold several crowns connected together, it all depends on your individual case.

Implants in the UK - how much does it cost?

An implant is not the cheapest dental solution, but it pays off in the long run, as the one-off cost will no longer generate the expense of treating the tooth in the future.

You will find out how much your tooth implant will cost after the initial consultation. This is because the price of the implant will depend on what procedures need to be carried out. You should know that there are three costs to be counted - the implant, the abutment and the crown. The price of an implant in the UK also includes a consultation and bone regeneration, or a sinus lift depending on the patient's needs.

In our dental practice, we use two types of implants - Ankylos and Sky.

Ankylos is one of the systems from the world's leading implant company Dentsply Sirona. The superior quality and advanced technology mean that the higher price of the implant pays off for the future. Interestingly, Ankylos implant systems have a lifetime guarantee, so we can assume that the tooth implant will indeed last a lifetime.

The alternative is German Sky, which cannot be used in all cases, but when possible will be equally effective.

The price of an implant in the UK will also depend on which crown you choose. Zirconia will be more expensive but virtually indestructible, while porcelain will be cheaper and last for many years. It is best to consult your dentist about the choice of implant, as the type will also depend on its location.

Remember that you do not have to pay the entire amount at once. At our practice, you can spread the amount due in instalments. If you are interested in this topic, please read our article Teeth on credit: dental treatment on hire purchase or Call to us.

Importantly, our instalment system is 100% secure and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 619628).