If you have missing teeth, you may have heard of dental implants and might be wondering if they are right for you. Dr David Madruga is a leading implant dentist based in Marylebone, London. He has successfully treated many patients with implants to replace missing teeth. Here, we look at how the implant process works. . .

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are small titanium screws that are placed in the jaw bone with a minor surgical procedure. They are bionic tooth roots that integrate with the bone, preventing the common problem of bone loss and providing a stable base for your replacement teeth – be that crowns, bridges or dentures. They are the only permanent way to replace your missing teeth.

Does implant treatment hurt?

Implant treatment should not be painful. The placement of your implants is carefully calculated before surgery, avoiding any nerves or other structures. At our Marylebone implant practice Dr David Madruga can place implants under local anaesthetic, but also offers the option of sedation for nervous patients. Dr Madruga is qualified in conscious sedation, which means that while you will be awake and able to co-operate with your dentist during treatment, you will be very relaxed and won’t remember much, if anything, about the treatment afterwards. This is ideal for nervous and dental phobic patients.

What if I’ve had no teeth for some time?

If you have been wearing traditional dentures for many years, you may have suffered some bone loss. This is normal; without tooth roots or dental implants, the jaw bone starts to resorb. Dr Madruga is able to perform procedures called bone grafts or sinus lifts at our Marylebone dental practice to rebuild the bone before placing implants.

How soon can I have my new teeth?

This will vary from patient to patient. Sometimes, dental implants and new teeth will be placed on the same day. Other times, a healing period of a few months is required.