Dental implants are one of the most exciting and progressive developments of the past three decades in the world of dentistry. At Amsel & Wilkins in Banbury, our skilled implantology team have carried out scores of restorations using dental implants, and can use them to replace anything from one to all of your natural teeth.

Some people describe dental implants as replacement teeth, but it’s more accurate to call them replacement tooth roots. They are small titanium screws that are placed in direct contact with your jaw bone during a minor operation, which most people only require local anaesthetic for. As soon as your implants are in position, a process called osseointegration begins. This sees your implants form a strong bond with your bone, helping to prevent the jaw bone from shrinking.

It is a shrinking jaw bone that is responsible for many of the problems associated with traditional dentures – loose-fitting teeth that can affect your ability to eat and speak, as well as damaging your confidence.

By choosing dental implants to replace your missing teeth, you can avoid all of these problems. Implants can be used to stabilise your dentures. Alternatively, your dentist can fix a full-arch dental bridge to your implants, which is usually the most stable option.

An implant-retained dental bridge can also be used to replace a few or several natural teeth. If you have lost one tooth then a single implant combined with a dental crown will be used.

Whatever type of tooth restoration you require, your dentist will ensure that your new teeth look incredibly natural. Furthermore, they will act just like natural teeth too, with the implants providing a strength that is akin to that of natural tooth roots.

By choosing dental implants you will be able to eat whatever you like, to speak with clarity and confidence, and to get on with enjoying life with no danger of slipping teeth getting in the way.

As long as you visit your dentist and hygienist regularly and practise prudent hygiene at home, your dental implants and new teeth will last for many years.

Dental implants are a long-term, natural-acting solution to tooth loss. They are the only permanent method by which a dentist can replace your missing teeth, and as long as you look after them properly, they could last a lifetime.

For centuries, dentures were the only option available to people who had lost all of their natural teeth. The problem with traditional dentures is that they often become loose and unwieldy over time, which causes complications with eating, speaking, self-image and with confidence. We all know someone whose dentures have slipped out in public, and whilst they may have borne this with good humour on the outside, inside they may feel mortified.

Dental implants can solve these problems. They work by replacing the root parts of lost teeth – indeed, they are the only way to do this – and actively prevent the problem of bone loss, which is the reason behind common denture issues.

Implants are titanium screws or posts that are put in direct contact with the jaw bone in a small operation. Titanium is very compatible with the human body and actively supports bone growth. After a healing period (typically between three and six months) they will be fully integrated with your jaw bone, providing anchorage for your dentures that is similar to that of a natural root.

Amsel & Wilkins Banbury dental practice offers denture stabilisation with dental implants. This involves the placement of a series of implants (usually between four and six per jaw) on to which your dentures can then be attached.

Most people only require local anaesthetic for implant placement, and it is usually possible for you to keep wearing your dentures during healing, although your dentist will need to adjust them. Once the healing and integration process is complete, your dentist will see you again to attach your dentures to abutments on top of your implants.

You will still be able to remove your dentures to clean them as normal, but otherwise they will stay firmly in your mouth. This means you will be able to eat what you like, to speak and smile with confidence, with no fear of loose teeth getting in your way.

If you have lost one or more of your natural teeth, you may be self-conscious about smiling. You may have heard of dental implants but wonder if they are suitable for you, and if they are really worth the effort and money.

At Amsel & Wilkins dental practice, we believe that dental implants are an excellent option for replacing missing teeth. Implants are not just an investment in your smile, they are an investment in your overall health.

People who have lost one or more teeth may be acutely aware of the social embarrassment it can cause, but may be unaware of the impact missing teeth can have on your general health. Remaining teeth often become crooked as they try to move into any gaps, making them more difficult to clean thus more prone to decay. You may also find that your diet is restricted to soft foods, with many favourite treats and healthy options off the menu. This can have a negative effect on your general health and wellbeing.

How dental implants work

Dental implants are replacements for the root portion of a natural tooth. Our teeth comprise two parts: the crowns we can see and the roots beneath. New crowns, dentures or bridges are attached to the top of your implants using special fixings.

Implants are made of titanium, which is highly compatible with the human body. They are precisely placed in your jaw bone, where they integrate with the bone and help to prevent the common problem of bone loss. In some cases your new teeth will be attached at the same time as your implants, while in other instances a healing period of a few months is needed first.

Dental implants are the only permanent way to replace your missing teeth, and the resulting restorations will look and act just like natural teeth – restoring not just your confidence in your smile, but your ability to eat a full, healthy diet, too. With proper care and regular visits to the dentist and hygienist, your implants may last you a lifetime.