Teeth govern which kinds of food we can eat and their condition impacts on our digestion. They also provide crucial support for parts of the face, noticeably the mouth and cheeks, and are a major component of our smile. It is understandable that the loss of a tooth or multiple teeth is considered by most people to be a bit of a disaster, either from a health point of view or socially.

Full or partial dentures, bridges and implants are all used to replace teeth but some of these options are not so comfortable over the long-term. Tooth loss results in some degree of bone loss from the jaw and as this occurs many people find their dentures slipping as their bone remodels.

Implants are generally considered the best solution to replace missing teeth. Usually made from biocompatible titanium or a titanium alloy, the metal of the implant is integrated in the bone over a period of about 3 – 9 months and this new root replacement can then be used as an anchor for either a crown or a fixture to retain a denture.

There are two common types of implants.

The “conventional” implant, which has two parts and requires a small plug of bone to be removed from the jaw before the base of the implant is inserted in the hole. The other part of the implant is often attached some months later to form the abutment for a crown.

Using local anaesthetic, the screw is inserted directly through the gum and seated in the bone like a tooth root. Placement of Mini Dental Implants is generally completed with minimal discomfort. A crown or fitting for the denture can be attached to the implant immediately.