Dental implants can restore or replace missing teeth. We design our dental implants to look natural, feel comfortable and to be long-lasting. You can book your free consultation and begin your dental implant journey with Hertfordshire’s leading implant dentist today.
Restore and Enhance Your Smile with Hockerill Dental
We strongly believe in building and maintaining a healthy mouth that looks and feels great. Dental implants are a fantastic and durable treatment that can restore the appearance of your teeth. Hockerill Dental understands the importance of feeling confident by having natural and healthy-looking teeth. This is why we design our dental implants to colour-match your existing teeth.
“Missing, chipped, or decayed teeth can affect the self-esteem and confidence of a person as well as potentially creating future complications for oral health. We’re here to provide you with dental implant treatments that you can depend on. Contact us and find out how we can help you.”
Our Treatments
At Hockerill Dental, we offer a range of dental implants in Hertfordshire that we uniquely design to give you the best possible results. These treatments include:
Dental Implant Benefits
- A modern solution for restoring your natural smile with incredible results
- Designed to look natural with colour-matched dental implants
- An incredibly durable and long-lasting dental treatment
- The implant is fixed into your mouth and becomes an ordinary tooth
- Improve your natural bite and protect your gums from further health issues
- Natural-looking implants that look and feel incredible in your mouth
Implant Denture Benefits
- Natural-Looking artificial teeth that look great and feel comfortable
- Consultations are used by us to understand and assess your oral health
- Digital imaging technology used to generate and create the denture
- Designed by our leading dentists to ensure they function comfortably
All-On-4 Implant Benefits
- A treatment designed to replace multiple missing teeth with an implant-supported bridge
- Our implants are incredibly strong and durable to support bridges
- We evaluate your gum health and jaw bone density
- Designed to be a dependable, long-term solution
Implant Treatment Planning
Our experienced team uses detailed dental assessments before treatment planning. We’ll assess the current health and strength of your teeth, gums and bone, then use a range of technology and X-rays to achieve accurate results. Our dental assessment will also be summarised in a report which you’ll see.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Although the dental implant has numerous benefits, they are all based upon the way the implants work in the mouth. Implants are the only treatment solution that provides a biological connection with the jawbone and in this respect is very similar to teeth.
For this reason, dental implants are proven to be a long-term successful treatment choice providing excellent retention for an artificial tooth or teeth that connect to it.
Dental Implants Work in Two Main Ways:
- They provide support for the restorative prosthesis
- They can help to maintain bone volume
Bone Retention
Dental Implants are connected to bone by the process of osseointegration. As well as an anchorage, they provide a function that helps retain bone. osseointegration is the term used when bone cells migrate into the micromechanical structure and thread along the length of the titanium implant. This forms a unique bio-physical connection, thus locking the implant into the jawbone. This can take several months to secure.
Bone is very similar to muscle; if it is not used (to keep teeth in place), then it tends to waste away and become atrophic. By restoring the missing teeth with a titanium rod (implant) that requires the bone, the activity and functionality of bone are restored.
When teeth are extracted and not restored immediately with implants, the bone tends to resorb away. This is why when it comes to our denture implant treatment, we take great care in assessing your current oral health in case it becomes unstable over time due to bone disintegration.
Support
Dental implants provide support for both the function and aesthetics of artificial teeth. Once the implant has been fully anchored to the bone via osseointegration, they can withstand a large amount of loading, similar to, if not more than normal teeth.
The implant can then be restored with a prosthesis such as a crown, bridge or denture. The implant retains the restoration and gives it the necessary functional ability.
Essentially there are three components to each implant restoration:
- The Implant: The titanium rod that is placed into the jaw like a root
- The Post: Secures the crown to the implant
- The Crown: The part of the implant that looks like a tooth
Delayed Placement
After we extract the tooth, we wait 3-4 months before placing the implant. Before placement, we check the bone for its suitability and then place the implant in the jaw. We then have to wait for another 4-6 months for the implant to connect with the bone. This process is called osseointegration. We cannot proceed until the radiographs give us evidence that this has occurred. Once osseointegration occurs, the implant is then suitable to restore with a crown. We then take impressions (moulds) to create the post and crown.
Immediate Placement
When the tooth is extracted, we place the implant immediately on the same day here in Bishop’s Stortford. We then place a transitional post and a temporary crown. This technique is also called ‘Same Day Implants’. Once the implant integrates with the bone, we are ready to produce the permanent post and crown.
How much do dental implants cost in Hertfordshire?
Like any dental treatment, the total cost of dental implants can vary depending on the number of implants you require. For more information on dental implant cost in Bishops Stortford please see our fees page.
It’s important to note that some patients require other dental work before the implant is secured into the gums, to ensure maximum integration and overall health.
How long do dental implants last?
With the right care and attention, your implants can last between 10 to 30 years, so it’s important you look after them as best as you can.
You will be advised to not smoke (if you did previously), limit your sugar intake (including fizzy drinks), and attend regular check-ups with your dentist.
At your appointment, you will be given information on the importance of an effective at-home oral hygiene routine, which further maintains the look and function of your dental implants.
If you have any questions about taking care of your new smile, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist – they’ll be more than happy to answer any of your questions.
What do dental implants look like?
One of the key benefits of dental implants is how natural they look. Our dental team will create a shape and colour to match your existing teeth, so they look and feel just like your own!
Whether it’s one or multiple, each dental implant will blend seamlessly into your smile.
Who should not get dental implants?
While dental implants have an incredible success rate and a proven track record of boosting the confidence of patients, there is a checklist you must tick off before being classed as eligible for the procedure.
For example, if you grind your teeth, are diabetic, or have a jaw disease, you’re unlikely to be approved for the procedure.
The best way to learn if dental implants are right for you is by booking a consultation here at Hockerill Dental. Our dentists can provide a full assessment of your teeth and gum health, before recommending the most suitable treatment for you.
How many dental implants can you have?
Traditional dental implants are designed to replace single teeth. Depending on the amount of bone volume in your jaw, you can have multiple dental implants at once.
However, if you do have multiple teeth missing, other implant options – like implant dentures or All-On-4 implants – may be more suited to you, as they’re specially made to support the bone and jaw structure surrounding the previously missing teeth.
Dental Surgery
It is important to remember that the placement of dental implants is a surgical and invasive procedure. At Hockerill Dental, we take every precaution and consideration to ensure the successful placement of the implant and its longevity.
We offer leading dental implant treatments at our Hertfordshire dental practice along with affordable dental implant finance. For more information, contact us on 01279 652400 or book a free implant consultation with our dentist in Bishops Stortford today.
Dental Implant FAQ's
Do Dental Implants Hurt?
Whilst dental implants can be a game changer for so many patients, we appreciate that the nature of the procedure may be daunting, especially for those with fears of the dentist. The good news is, here at Hockerill Dental, we ensure we do everything to make this surgical procedure as pain and stress-free as possible.
Part of our approach to ensure a soothing atmosphere includes:
- Relaxing music
- Allowing for additional appointment time so you don’t feel rushed
- A calming environment
- Painless numbing injections and gels
Our total pain management approach means that you should experience no pain or discomfort during your procedure, and we will discuss aftercare with you at your initial consultation to make sure you’re comfortable in the days following your surgery.
How Do I Look After my Dental Implants?
Although dental implants can totally transform how your smile looks, feels and performs – they don’t actually require any specialist maintenance to keep them looking great.
In fact, brushing your teeth twice a day and regularly flossing can be all it takes to keep your smile healthy. We also advise regular routine check-ups with your dentist to ensure any health issues are spotted straight away.
Is Everyone Suitable For Dental Implants?
It’s important to note that, for some patients, dental implants may not be a viable option. However, during your free consultation, we will discuss your concerns as well as giving your mouth a thorough examination in order to determine whether implants are the right way to go for your needs.
Typically, if your oral health is good then dental implants shouldn’t be a problem, but it is important to check there is enough quality bone left in order to fix the implants.
How long does recovery take after getting dental implants?
Although having dental implants requires an invasive surgical procedure, here at Hockerill Dental, we go above and beyond to ensure you’re comfortable before, during and after your treatment. Most of our patients find that over-the-counter pain killers are sufficient for managing any discomfort in the days post-op.
It can take anywhere between 4-6 months for your mouth to completely heal, ready for your final implants to be fitted, however most patients return to work the following day.
We will be able to give a clearer idea of your specific recovery time during our consultations.
Are dental implants expensive?
Here at Hockerill Dental, we appreciate that investing in a new smile can feel daunting. It’s a big procedure and is a decision which requires a lot of thought and investment. However, we have worked hard to make our services as accessible as possible, so that anyone looking to create their dream smile can have that opportunity.
Our fees are completely transparent and we aim to be as affordable as possible, offering some of the best rates for dental implants in Bishops’ Stortford. So, if dental implants are something you’ve been considering for a while
Can I eat whatever I want with dental implants?
For so many of our patients who have struggled with weakened, loose or missing teeth, the benefit of being able to eat normally with dental implants is huge.
Once your final implants are in place and your mouth has healed completely you can eat and drink whatever you like as normal. Not only making a huge impact on you physically, but also improving your self-esteem and boosting confidence.