Experience The Beauty of A Perfect Smile With Cosmetic Dental Implants

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A natural tooth’s beauty, strength, and enamel are hard to replicate. With the invention of the Titanium implant and Zirconia crowns relatively recently, we can now reliably replace missing and failed teeth with a substitute approaching the quality of the natural tooth.

These days, replacement cosmetic implant teeth can match the colour and translucent nature of the originals, not just for the first couple of years but throughout the lifetime of each tooth. There is a difference between basic and cosmetic dental implants, which we’ll share below.

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Happy Patients

Innovation in dental implant technology has produced a modern wonder that not only looks completely natural but also can withstand the pressure of constant biting and eating. Aesthetic implant teeth are light years ahead of old dentures.

Full mouth Zirconia ceramic (modern porcelain) implant teeth can look better than the originals as we age. 

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What Makes For A Perfect Implant?

Our implant results today result from years of study and real-world experience. At Winning Smiles, we have placed over 5000 implants since we began our implant journey nearly 20 years ago.

With dental implants, it’s not as straightforward as following an X-ray. Successful surgery is part art, part science, and the precision and predictability is enhanced now by the use of digital technology.

The skill of the implantologist and their experience has a big effect on the functional longevity and aesthetic success of complex dental implant cases.

Most implants look good straight after placement. But it is the long-term appearance and longevity that our patients really care about. So we strive to rise to the challenge and deliver dental implants that go the distance:

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Looking great at 15 or even 20 years is the goal.

There is a simpler implant that we also offer for more functional needs, where aesthetics are a secondary consideration (eg, replacing back teeth which are less on show).

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Basic vs Cosmetic Dental Implants: How To Choose?

When it comes to choosing between simple and cosmetic dental implants, it’s important to understand the differences and weigh the options that best suit your needs and budget. 

To help you make an informed decision, we’ve created a comparison table that highlights the key differences between simple and cosmetic dental implants. So, whether you’re looking for a low-cost solution or the ultimate smile makeover, you’ll be able to make an informed choice with ease.

Titanium Base

Single Dental Implants

High-quality German-made Ankylos implants

Cosmetic Dental Implants

High-quality German-made Ankylos implants

Post (Abutment)

Basic Dental Implants

We wrote this section to show the difference between types of implant elements.

Off-the-shelf titanium abutments, which are mass-produced and therefore not fitted perfectly to the gum. In certain cases, a small area of metal may be visible around the gum using these posts. Not as strong as Atlantis custom abutments.

Also, they can only be used where the implant can be placed in the bone directly beneath the tooth space, Not suitable for angled implants. Back teeth only.

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Cosmetic Dental Implants

Custom-made titanium abutment by Atlantis. Atlantis is the premium lab facility in Europe, which produces titanium custom implant abutments made to fit the gum exactly in every case.

These are bespoke precision, high-quality components: Suitable for all situations, including angled implants, front and back teeth.

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Crown Description

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Basic Dental Implants

(Recommended for back teeth only)

The crown is milled on our digital CEREC milling machine in-house. Single shade teeth with no detailing/staining, etc. The milling machine makes these teeth from a block of resin-ceramic hybrid, which approximates the colour of the adjacent teeth. Great for back teeth.

These teeth are milled with a hole in the middle so that they can be glued to the stock abutment and then screwed in place. The hole is then filled with white filling material. These holes are usually visible.

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Cosmetic Dental Implants

(Recommended for front and back teeth)

Cosmetic implant crowns are bespoke items, hand-finished by our master ceramist, who painstakingly copies the adjacent tooth colour and characteristics using high-resolution digital photos. They are the closest match to a real tooth that we can offer.

These teeth are designed to glue directly to the atlantis abutment so there is no screw hole in these crowns.

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Crown Material

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Basic Dental Implants

Ceramic-Resin Hybrid, not as strong as Zirconia

Cosmetic Dental Implants

Zirconia – the strongest ceramic available

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Surface Finish

Basic Dental Implants

Polished but not high gloss

Cosmetic Dental Implants

Glazed high gloss

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The Importance Of Regular Maintenance

Even top-end cars need regular servicing if they are to continue to perform as expected in the long term. Our hygienists are trained in implant care and optimal implant cleaning techniques. Complex implant cases require regular maintenance, monitoring, and servicing, just like a Lexus.

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01

Colour Matching

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We begin with a discussion of what our patients want to achieve with their new smile. It is a broad church: some patients want the whitest teeth available, some want them to just look natural and fresh, without dazzling their friends and family. Our consultation process will discover what you really want your teeth to look like, so we can go about delivering your goal.

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Ceramic (high-strength porcelain) is the gold standard material: more stain resistant than natural tooth enamel and more dimensionally stable than acrylic. We have patients with ceramic crowns and bridge teeth, which are still going strong after 15 years.

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02

Shaping

Every tooth and gum is unique, and shaping the gum and tooth is where the art of the dentist and ceramist comes in. If the tooth is the image on the canvas, the gums are the frame around it. Harmonising both picture and frame creates aesthetic excellence.

Avoiding food traps, following individual gum lines, and preventing unsightly gaps whilst allowing for easy cleaning. It is a sculptural process. We utilise digital virtual 3D models to help us visualise the tooth and gum shapes.

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03

Avoiding Bulky Teeth

We want to use as few implants as we can to preserve bone for the future and facilitate easy cleaning. But in doing so, we need to ensure that the implants are well supported in the best quality bone.

This is a function of implant placement. Our implants can be angled to find the best bone area to support them, resulting in optimum stability. The frame and implants need to be strong without being bulky. They support each other if done well. Synergy. The least bulky teeth-implant-frame structures (bridges) combine titanium implants with Zirconia ceramic crowns supported on titanium frames, which connect directly onto the implants. This design means that 90% of our cases can be completed with just four implants. Far from reducing the lifetime of the implants and bridges, using four implants actually outlasts full arch bridges supported by eight implants. Why? Because cleaning around just four implants is twice as easy as cleaning around eight, the efficacy of the home cleaning has a direct effect on how long the implants will last. So less really is more!

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Costs

Value for money is hard to measure, but we try very hard to achieve it.

Dental surgeries cost a lot to run, and ‘chair time’ is what generally sets the costs. We have already reduced appointments with our same-day weld one innovative implant system.

Ultimately, taking your time without taking too long is a function of confidence in what you’re doing. We spend enough time to achieve that perfect balance, without unnecessary delays.

We’d rather do two cases a day rather than one. But what we can’t have are rushed appointments. That’s no good for anyone.

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Full Mouth Dental Implants

Why Replace Dentures? Why on earth keep them? When you can have teeth that look and feel natural, and allow you to eat and enjoy your food again. Smile with confidence with a Full set of Dental Implants.

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How It Works?

The consultation and CT Scans are the best way to tell exactly what you need and what will work best. You are given the options, and we talk through all your concerns. We don’t rush you.

A full treatment plan is provided up front, so you see exactly what steps are involved.

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Step 1: Contact Us

If you need a dental implant, call us on 01708 371223. Our reception team will ask you some questions to determine if you are likely to be suitable for this option

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• Is the tooth or teeth to be replaced at the front or the back?

• Are there multiple teeth missing or just one?

• Are the teeth already missing or still in place and failing?

If there is a front tooth/teeth needed, multiple replacements/implants or teeth in place that you are worried may need be failing then we will first book you for a short free consultation with our implantologist to meet you in person, discuss your requirements and take a look in the mouth to help build up a picture of what might be the best way forwards for you.

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Step 2: Scan And Clinical Assessment

This second appointment is for you to meet with the implant surgeon and carry out a clinical assessment to ensure that you are suitable for dental implant treatment. We will take a digital CT scan using our in-house scanner, which shows us if you have enough bone volume for the implant. The CT scan also allows digital planning of your treatment in 3D.

If the bone volume is correct and conditions in the mouth are suitable, then your next appointment will be for the implant placement surgery.

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Benefits of a CT Scanner Include:

• Accuracy: the scan images are accurate to +/- 0.5mm, helping the implant surgeon to ensure that his implant is placed exactly

• More precise work: Because we know exactly what needs doing before surgery, we can be less invasive and quicker

• Convenience: Having our own CT scanner means you don’t have to travel to London for this service

Step 3: Implant Surgery

The 3rd appointment is to place the titanium dental implant/s into your jaw. This is carried out under simple local anaesthesia for most patients. For nervous patients, we utilise IV sedation.

If we are extracting a front tooth and placing the implant directly, we will have a temporary tooth prepared in advance so that you leave the surgery with a new tooth in place. No Gaps! We can provide a temporary crown on the implant directly or go for a simpler temporary denture tooth.

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Step 4: Digital Scanning

Once the implant and surrounding gum/soft tissues are sufficiently matured following the implant surgery, we are ready to take a digital scan of the mouth using our Primescan intra-oral scanner – this is to register the implant position/s so that the new tooth/teeth can be designed and made ready for the next appointment.

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Step 5: Fitting The Implant Tooth/Teeth (Crown)

The final appointment is to fit the final implant crown. This takes around 15 minutes. If your bone is firm enough, we can fit this tooth/crown within 4 weeks. Softer bone means waiting longer.

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How We Chose Our Dental Implant System

We only use the best implants available, all our implants are from the same manufacturer. It might be helpful to see how we chose them. The titanium element of the implant teeth is naturally available from multiple manufacturers.

The implants we use are made by a manufacturer called Ankylos. These titanium implants are the foundation upon which we build your new teeth. If they fail, then we have a serious problem. The teeth, the bridges, and the implant dentures can be replaced. But if the implants fail, replacing them is a complicated and long, drawn-out process.

The four main implant manufacturers, in our opinion, that have the longest track record and most robust long-term research and development are:

These are companies that have invested in improving over the years and have the long-term data and results necessary to create the most reliable titanium implants.

There are equally old firms who still use old design patents that have not invested in the necessary R&D. There are also new companies that base their designs on expired patents, as well as innovative firms that bring something new to the marketplace.

Our issue with newer implant systems is that, by definition, long-term studies on failure rates are not yet available. We favour long-term success rates over any other decision criteria.

There are lots of old tech and newcomers alike, brands including Southern, Megagen, Hiossen, Zimmer Biomet, Sirona, DS Taper, Euroteknika, and DTI. We are not commenting on anything other than how we made our decision, to give patients confidence in the technology we use.