Dental Implants
Treating Patients From Pretoria and Surrounding Areas
A missing tooth doesn’t have to ruin your smile forever - and replacing missing teeth will not only save your smile, but it will save your facial features too.
For men and women who are faced with the prospect of tooth loss, dental implants offer a natural, durable and comfortable alternative to dentures while eliminating the gap caused by a lost tooth.
If you’ve had a gap in your teeth for years, the chances are that you are leaving your neighbouring teeth open to decay and increasing the likelihood that your natural teeth will shift out of place. Missing teeth also reduce the density of the bone in your jaw so that it will become weaker, and your facial features will start to shift because of that. Many patients who have missing teeth also complain of constant headaches and problems with their bite.
With new dental implant technology, a missing tooth doesn’t mean that you need to smile with your lips closed. Dr Fernandes offers patients a comprehensive implant service to ensure that missing teeth won’t be lost.
Whether you’ve lost one tooth or several, our dental implants can help you restore a confident smile.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are technically just artificial teeth which are fused to the jawbone. The root of the implant is made of titanium, and it gets implanted into the jawbone to anchor the artificial tooth and hold it in place securely — Dr Fernandes designs replica teeth which match your natural teeth in shape and colour. The natural looking, tailor-made teeth are then applied to the implant to replace the missing tooth and give you a full, natural looking smile.
The replica teeth can be made to replace one tooth or many teeth in the smile - crowns, bridges and dentures can all be made to fit onto the implanted roots. The teeth are also custom made for each patient, so you can be sure you’re left with a solution that is comfortable and durable and won’t slip when you talk or eat.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
Dental implants are durable, long lasting and provide a comfortable, convenient solution for missing teeth. Dentures tend to slip when you talk or eat, and aren’t stable, so they need to be repaired often and replaced every few years.
Dental implants are fused to your jaw so they won’t slip or move. They are also made of solid materials so they won’t warp and they’re resistant to damage. They provide additional structural support in the mouth and with proper care, can last for many many years. Dental implants are the preferred method of tooth replacement for many many dentists across the world.
What is the Dental Implant Process?
The process is relatively easy, but it does take a long time from start to finish.
The dental implant process is divided into three parts. The first part is the planning stage - where Dr Fernandes examines the teeth to design the replica teeth and plan the treatment process.
The second step happens relatively quickly. The new, titanium root is implanted into the jawbone and given 3 - 6 months to heal. The replica tooth cannot be placed until the root has completely healed, or the damaged tissue may cause complications when the replica tooth is placed. During this time, the implant will also fuse firmly to the jaw, so you have the most durable anchor for your new teeth.
The last step in the process is for Dr Fernandes to apply your new synthetic tooth. The tooth will be specially designed to fit into your smile flawlessly and will match the neighbouring teeth in shape and colour.
The results are stunning; a natural looking, beautiful smile with no signs that teeth were ever missing.