A missing tooth isn’t the end of the world, but it can often feel that way. A gap in our smile can easily lead to a feeling of social discomfort, anxiety and even shame. It can also affect the way that you eat and speak. That is why here at Dental Solutions, we offer a long-term solution: individual dental implants.
The thought of wearing a denture was not an option to me and I wanted to look at a dental implant as an alternative to fill the gap left by a previous tooth extraction.
My dentist of many years had retired from his Grappenhall practice and I decided that as I had gaps in my smile and that I needed implants, the time was right to look for another dentist.
I needed an implant as a root filling in my tooth had failed, which meant that it had to be extracted. Obviously, that meant a very noticeable gap in my smile which was not an option I was prepared to accept.
I first came to Dental Solutions after a referral from Museum Street dentists in Warrington. I was suffering from some missing teeth and associated bone loss and gum recession.
I booked in a free consultation with Gavin and I am so glad I did. I had always hated going to the dentist from a very young age – I can still remember the trauma of an extraction as a child and smelling the anaesthetic they used to cover my mouth with!
It all started last July when I had a complete disaster. I broke a tooth and the bridge of 5 other teeth that it was supporting just fell out. It was a Friday evening and I had a sleepless night waiting to ring the NHS emergency dentist on the next morning.
I think that I first damaged my tooth whilst playing rugby when I was about 10 years old. I have been told that a hard tackle or impact to the face may have caused an abscess to develop in my gum which destroyed one of my tooth’s roots.
Sophie Parker my dentist had kept looking after the tooth for as long as possible but it had got to the stage where the tooth was beginning to fail and action was needed.
I have been coming to see Gavin Laidlaw for 5 years after a recommendation from another dentist. A bridge that I had been wearing for over 20 years had become worn and discoloured, and I didn’t feel confident any more when I smiled.
I had been struggling with crowns in my front teeth for a while. I kept getting one crown re cemented on several occasions. It was getting to the point where I worried about going on holiday in case it dropped out while I was away.
30-minute consultation with Gavin Laidlaw BDS Principal Dentist
All clinical records, X-Rays and photography
All pre and post-operative medications (if required)
Implant Surgery with Richard Brookshaw and his clinical team
Review appointment with Gavin
Permanent restoration 3-4 months after surgery
* Includes Restoration but excludes CT scan cost. Not available with any other offer.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a titanium screw that is placed directly in your jawbone, as it heals the bone and screw fuse together. A porcelain replacement tooth, usually a crown or bridge if replacing more than one tooth, is bonded to it after a short healing period. This produces an incredibly natural look for your smile.
At Dental Solutions Lymm we only use premium products from Nobel Biocare for your dental implants.
Individual Dental Implant FAQs
Not at all–none of our patients have reported any pain during their implant placement procedure. Generally, we tell our patients that if the missing tooth is already out then the hardest part to face is already behind them.
We only replace the missing tooth and we don't touch the other teeth. Fitting a bridge to replace a missing tooth can have a detrimental impact on the surrounding teeth. An implant also helps to maintain the bone in that area of your jaw.
You need to allow one and a half hours for the treatment itself but in order to allow healing of the implant itself total treatment time from start to finish varies between 4 months and a year.
Yes of course, we have a range of payment options to suit you, including interest free credit over 10 months and interest bearing rates over 3-5 years. Our treatment facilitator Nicky can discuss all the different options with you.
It very much depends on the type of work you do and how physical it is, but usually you are back at work the day after treatment.
If your gap is visible when you smile, we make a temporary bridge or a small denture for you while your implant is healing.
Nothing to worry about, artificial bone comes out of a packet these days rather than your hip.
We are a strong experienced and highly trained team who have been working together for over 15 years. In this time we have placed many thousands of implants. We ensure that your post implant aftercare is as important to us as the treatment itself. You come to the practice as a patient and leave our practice as a friend - no one judges you here- you just join our team. But don't just take our word for it, please read some of our reviews and testimonials from our patients. We also have a patient group who you can call if you have specific questions for someone who has had a similar treatment to the one you are about to embark on.
Just a chat - there are no procedures at your first consultation. We just sit and talk to you and get a better understanding of your situation. You can meet with Gavin Laidlaw our Principal Dentist.
Yes you can. We have set up a patient group for this very purpose, and we can direct you to them if you have specific questions for someone who has had similar treatment to the one you are about to embark on.
What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?
With an implant procedure, there are a number of additional benefits for your smile that you should also be aware of. These include:-
Appearance is improved. Smile with confidence, as your smile is completed and your face can look fuller, more youthful (losing the sunken appearance that often accompanies missing teeth).
Speak without pause.Gaps in our teeth or dentures can cause slurred or mumbled speech. Whereas, a fitted individual dental implant can prevent this.
Improved eating. With an implant, you no longer need to worry about the types of food you eat. You can eat all of your favourite foods with confidence and pain-free.
Better self-esteem. Take back your smile and your confidence with a dental implant; giving you the ability to smile without a second thought. Many of our patients say they have much better self-esteem after treatment!
Oral health. Missing teeth can not only be a knock to your confidence, but it can also negatively impact the other surrounding teeth. They can ‘drift’, become loose and are more susceptible to decay. An implant can be a preventative measure for this.
Meet The Expert: Richard Brookshaw
Our dental implant team is headed and mentored by Richard Brookshaw. Richard has extensive experience in placing dental implants (over 5,000 so far) including complex cases where bone grafts and sinus lifts are needed. He also lectures on Implantology and mentors other dentists both here in the UK and internationally. We are able to offer initial consultations to assess your suitability for dental implants.