Dentists in Northfield, Birmingham

Most people think that dental implants are a fairly new advance in dentistry, but would you be surprised to know that they have been available since the early 1960′s!

Implants are used to replace missing teeth with crowns or bridges or to stabilize dentures They are made from titanium which is a hypoallergenic metal.

As dentists in Birmingham we recommend an initial assessment at our dental practice if you are interested in an implant; there we will discuss the potential benefits to your comfort, appearance and function.  We will usually need to take an x ray as well and this is included in the initial implant assessment fee of £90.00.

Dental implants are placed directly into the jaw bone to act like a tooth root.  It’s a fairly straight forward procedure and is done using the same local anesthetic you would have for a filling.

A small incision is made and the implant placed into the bone.  The procedure only takes about 30 minutes and following implant placement any swelling and discomfort are minimal.  Paracetomol or similar will manage any discomfort and usually this is only taken for the day of the procedure.

The implant can be attached to a crown, bridge or denture after 3 to 6 weeks. In some cases the implant may be used straight away although this will make it more likely to loosen.

Osseointegration is successful in more than 90% of people, and it is important to maintain healthy teeth and gums to protect the implant.
We are dentists in Birmingham are able to offer dental implants at a cost of £875. The attached crown costs a further £875. The overall cost including the temporary crown, associated x rays and aftercare is approximately £2000 if only one tooth needs replacing.

To stabilize and retain a full lower denture two implants would be needed which with the attachments to the denture costs around £2200.

For bridges each implant may support more than one tooth.
It is important to attend your dentist regularly for maintenance after completing treatment. Good oral hygiene around the implants and existing teeth is essential for long term success.

If you would like to know more or would like to book an assessment call us on 0121 475 2321.

At our Birmingham Dental Practice our patients ask us how to care for their new dentures.  Here are a few facts, tips and hints to help you get the most from living with a denture.

NHS and private dentures are usually made of strong plastic called acrylic.  Metal dentures are made from stainless steel or cobalt chromium.

The first time you have dentures, whether its full dentures or partial dentures, you should eat softer foods for the first few days, avoiding sticky and hard to chew foods.  This will help you to get used to eating with your new denture.  Before long you should be able to tuck into your favourites as before.

Your new denture may initially give you sore spots on your gum; this is quite normal and usually easily cured.  Telephone the dental practice and tell the receptionist why you want the appointment, you will usually be offered an appointment the same day or following morning.  Wear your denture for a couple of hours before the appointment, even if it is sore to wear.  This way the dentist can see where the denture is rubbing by the red mark on the gum and can effectively adjust your denture to make it comfortable.

Don’t be disappointed if you have to make a couple of return visits for minor adjustments, this is not unusual and we are always pleased to ensure your denture is the best fit possible.

Initially you can leave the denture in all the time, to help you get used to it.  But after two weeks it is important to leave your denture out overnight.  It is important that your gums have the opportunity to “cleanse” themselves; this is done by the saliva in your mouth.  Failure to allow this self cleansing can lead to fungal irritations in the mouth called Candida.

When you are not wearing your denture keep if safe in beaker of water.  The water prevents the denture from “drying out” which can cause it to shrink.

To clean your denture, use a denture brush and denture paste, such as Dentucreme.  Ordinary toothpaste is too abrasive and may scratch the surface of your denture, which may lead to the denture being stained by food and drink such as tea and coffee.  Sterident can be used, but take care not to put the denture into boiling water as this can cause the denture to “bleach” (lose its colour) or worse become weak prone to cracking or breaking.

Remember to brush your denture all over, not just the teeth, and try holding it over a sink of warm water, that way if you should drop it the water will cushion the fall, making it less likely crack or break on the sink.

If the worse happens and your denture cracks, breaks or even loses a tooth, it can usually be repaired quickly and effectively.  Bring your denture to the dental practice (before 9.00am if possible) and we will return it to you at around 9.30am the following day.  These repairs are usually free of charge.  In some cases we can repair your denture the same day!

By looking after your dentures and your mouth, you should not need to replace your denture for 3 years; but you feel they are looking a little stained or discoloured we can arrange to have them professionally cleaned for you for a small fee.

As always if you have any questions, telephone us on 0121 475 2321.