Treatment & Aftercare

Every patient's implant journey will be different, depending on your clinical need – how many teeth we need to replace, your current oral health, and any preferences you may have for treatment – but each journey starts in the same way: a consultation with our implant dentist, Mr Harpal Chana.

We will use the latest technology, including our in-house CT scanner, to aid with diagnosis and treatment planning. At the end of your implant consultation Mr Chana will discuss his findings and will draw up a customised treatment plan, detailing the order and projected length of all necessary treatments, as well as of projected costs.

Dental implants should be placed in a healthy mouth to maximise their chances of success, so if any underlying conditions such as periodontal disease require treating, this will be included in your treatment plan.

Thanks to Mr Chana's extensive experience in the placement of dental implants, we are able to treat even complex cases in patients whose own dentist may have told them they lack adequate bone density to support implants. In many cases we can use zygomatic implants, which are longer than standard dental implants, as an alternative to bone grafting procedures.

We can place dental implants under either local anaesthetic or conscious sedation at our Teddington practice. For nervous and phobic patients, we also offer the option of treatment under general anaesthetic. This will be carried out at a Parkside Hospital in Wimbledon, a bespoke award winning private hospital where Harpal has admission rights.

For patients who require an entire set of new teeth in one or both jaws, we often favour the All-on-4 implant technique, which involves the precision placement of just four dental implants, specially angled to support a full arch of teeth. This is also a good option for those who have low bone density.

In other cases your implants will be left to heal before your permanent new teeth are attached. Temporary teeth may be fitted during the healing process.

Just like your natural teeth, dental implants and the teeth attached to them need proper care, including a good home cleaning routine and regular follow-up visits to the dentist, to ensure they remain in healthy condition.

In the immediate aftermath of implant surgery, you should:
• Avoid food and hot drinks until anaesthetic has worn off
• Try not to disturb the implant area with your tongue
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol
• Post-operative swelling and discomfort can be managed with an ice pack and over-the-counter painkillers
• Follow your dentist's aftercare instructions, and come back to see us if anything seems unusual.

For the long-term care of your implants and new teeth you should:
• Follow your dentist/hygienist's advice on brushing and home care, to avoid the risk of gum disease
• Visit your dentist every six months for a check-up (or more frequently if your dentist advises you to do so)
• Book a dental appointment at the first sign of any problems

With proper aftercare, your dental implants can last a lifetime.

As people live longer and more active lives, losing even a single tooth prematurely can be extremely upsetting. The loss of any tooth is a cosmetic issue but it is also a quality of life issue and perhaps, most dramatically when losing too many, it may become a long-term health issue. When one or more teeth are lost, the surrounding jaw bone atrophies, or shrinks, due to a lack of function and physiologic stress.

Millions of people all over the world are missing all of their teeth and millions more are in jeopardy of losing their remaining teeth in the very near future. Accidents, gum disease, tooth decay and many other factors cause tooth loss. As we age, the chances of losing teeth increase dramatically. Taking steps to replace lost teeth and prevent bone atrophy in the jaws is critical to both long-term health and quality of life.

For those who are looking to lead a full and active life, traditional dentures and removable bridgework, once the only choices, are no longer viewed as satisfactory options. That's why ELMFIELD HOUSE DENTAL PRACTICEspecializes in All-on-4^TM a revolutionary method for using as few as four dental implants to create fixed (non-removable), natural looking teeth in just one visit!

Titanium dental implants represent a major advance in dental care. Implants are inserted directly into the jawbone in a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Because they are made of titanium - which is biocompatible (i.e., not rejected by the human body) dental implants integrate, or fuse with the bone, providing a solution that lasts for decades. A single implant can support a crown and replace a lost tooth. With the All-on-4^TMtechnique four implants accurately placed can be used to replace all your upper and/or lower teeth. The result is a fixed (non-removable) bridge that is virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. Just as important, implants stabilize bone levels in the jaw. So not only are they cosmetically pleasing and more natural, they also help preserve oral health and a youthful appearance.

For most people, dental implants are the best solution for the loss of teeth, but not all patients are candidates for traditional implants. Patients who lack sufficient bone mass may have been discouraged from implants or told they need to undergo time-consuming, painful and costly bone grafting procedures prior to placing dental implants.

With the All-on-4^TMtechnique, virtually anyone can have beautiful new teeth in a single visit -even if you have been told you are not a candidate for traditional dental implants or are lacking enough bone for implants.

Thousands of patients worldwide have benefited from this technique. ELMFIELD HOUSE DENTAL PRACTICE has established itselfas a leading center in the UK for patient-care, education and training in advanced oral rehabilitation.

• Rehabilitation of totally edentulous maxilla and mandible with only a minimum of 4 implants placed in each jaw; (upper jaw may need 6 sometimes including zygomatic dental implants)
• Eliminates need for bone transplant;
• Short surgery period (depending on the complexity of each case);
• Placement of fixed teeth with immediate function in the same day;
• Functionality and aesthetics on the day of the surgery;
• Less painful procedure for the patient;
• Cost-saving and time-saving comparatively to bone transplant;
• High success rates comparatively to bone transplant;
• Allows treating complex cases that had no solution before.

All-on-4^TMis a revolutionary approach to implants pioneered over a decade ago, Placing a titanium implant in the jaw is a quick, minimally invasive procedure that provides a strong foundation for replacement teeth and helps stabilize bone levels-keeping the jaw healthy. But for patients who lack bone mass, the All-on-4^TMtechnique allows the placement of only four implants, tilting the two posterior ones, so even those patients with virtually no bone can have a secure (non-removable) full upper and/or lower set of teeth.

When you first come to ELMFIELD HOUSE DENTAL PRACTICE, we will do a thorough evaluation of your existing dental health. In this first appointment we will advise you the best treatment options to fulfill your needs and answer all your questions.

Many of our patients come to ELMFIELD HOUSE DENTAL PRACTICE because they are unhappy with their existing bridgework or dentures and are seeking an alternative. Also, many patients have been told they are not candidates for traditional implants because they lack sufficient bone volume in the jaws.

Placing a dental implant is a quick, minimally invasive procedure. Harpal Chana and the team at ELMFIELD HOUSE DENTAL PRACTICEwill do a careful evaluation to determine the best course of treatment for your needs. Typically we will do an initial work-up, consisting of a comprehensive examination and diagnostic imaging. With the help of a proprietary computer software program that creates a 3-dimensional image of your jaws, a treatment plan will be formulated. "Virtual implants" are placed in the 3-D image to ensure accuracy at the time of your surgery. To facilitate the procedure and ensure quality, replacement teeth are manufactured at our lab and inserted the same day-you will leave with your new teeth and immediately be able to eat, speak and smile with confidence.