Implants available at our London Clinic in Chelsea SW3.
Perfectly natural-looking teeth, as functional and strong as your original teeth with a perfectly aesthetic appearance. Your dentist can meet all your requirements with implants – for that extra improvement to your quality of life.
The following pages show you how safe and easy it is to replace a tooth, several teeth or all teeth with implants at The Wellington Clinic. You will be able to laugh, talk and eat just as you have always done – perfectly naturally. You will find answers to all your questions about the treatment, care of implants, long-term success rate and much more

Implants for single-tooth gaps. Naturally invisible.
It can happen very suddenly: an accident during sport or a fall while going about your normal life and a tooth is lost. Implants are a quick and easy solution in situations like this – a natural appearance and invisible. They feel like your natural tooth and function in the same way. The small strong titanium screws act just like the original root of your tooth. Your new, customised crown is fixed to the implant. The result is that everything looks perfectly normal again – natural appearance, as if nothing had happened.

Implants. The best solution from any point of view.
When the implant is placed it is in exactly the same position as your natural tooth. Implants are designed to imitate the natural root of the tooth. The correct load is applied to the bone and gum to shape them appropriately. Healthy teeth remain untouched and it is not necessary to grind them down to hold a fixed bridge in place. Small metal clasps around neighbouring teeth are also not required as a supplementary retainer, as is required with removable partial dentures. All this is superfluous with implants – an all-round ideal solution.

Implants for larger gaps. Obviously perfect.
Time leaves its mark, especially on the teeth. A gap becomes larger or an older denture causes problems. Implants can make your teeth look perfectly natural again. Single-tooth implants are the best way to restore the original situation. Every tooth is replaced separately. If several teeth in sequence are missing, you can also decide to have an implant-borne bridge. Regardless of your preferred solution, the new tooth roots perform the same reliable function as your original teeth. A customised crown or bridge can close every gap precisely and with perfect aesthetics – with no visible difference from your original teeth.

Implants as a complete solution. reliable security when all teeth need to be replaced.
Teeth should really last for your life, but reality is often a bit different. We are lucky to have a safe and convenient solution with implants. You can eat, talk and laugh again perfectly naturally – as if they were your natural teeth. As few as two to four tiny titanium roots are sufficient to hold a full denture firmly in position. A bridge can be permanently attached to six implants. Regardless of the solution you select, reliable stability in the upper jaw and the lower jaw will guarantee complete security and a relaxed feeling – at any age and in virtually any initial situation.

Implants. The best solution for denture wearers.
Loose dentures and painful pressure points? A thing of the past with implants from The Wellington Clinic. Your "new teeth“ will feel and function exactly the same as their natural predecessors and are firmly seated in the jaw – nothing can displace them or make them slip. If you decide to have a permanently fixed bridge, you won't need the pink denture plastic. Your remaining natural teeth are retained and can be harmoniously integrated into the denture. Implants are designed to imitate the natural root of the tooth. The bone and the gum are correctly loaded. This means that they are retained and do not atrophy.
If you have been wearing a full denture for a long time, your jawbone may have become too thin and flat to hold implants. Your implantologist can carefully rebuild the jaw. This is done with tissue from your own body or bone replacement material.

AFTER IMPLANT PLACEMENT

Back home: What should I do first? 
In the first few hours after the operation you should keep cooling your cheek from the outside. This will help prevent swelling or at least will significantly reduce swelling. It is best to keep ice cubes or a couple of cool packs ready as replacements.

Sit down or lie down. What is better after the operation?
If you lie down this will increase the blood pressure in your head. It is better to sit in the first few hours are the operation. Light movement will also help. A walk in the evening will stimulate blood and lymph circulation. You should avoid exertion and exercise for a few days.       

And what about eating and drinking?
Avoid eating and drinking hot beverages until the effect of the local anesthetic has worn off. Otherwise you may accidentally scald yourself or bite your cheek. If you feel thirsty before the anesthetic has worn off, it is best to drink some water.

What should I eat after the operation?
Light foods like vegetables, salad or fish are ideal before the sutures have been removed. Glutinous, floury and hard foods that require strong chewing may cause inflammation. It is best to avoid such foods.

Could coffee be damaging?
Coffee may cause post-operative haemorrhages and problems with wound healing. The same goes for black tea, cola drinks, alcohol and nicotine. You should avoid all the above for the first few days after the operation.

Should I chew on the fresh wound?
You should always chew on the other side so long as the wound is not fully healed. But it is not serious if the wound does come into contact with food. Always rinse your mouth out well with warm water after eating.

When can I clean my teeth again?
You can clean your teeth again on the same day as the operation. You should clean your teeth again no later than the day after the operation to prevent the formation of plaque and bacteria that may cause inflammation in your mouth. You should keep clear of the actual area of the wound. Use a soft toothbrush just in case you do accidentally come into contact with wound. Do not use an electric toothbrush or a dental water jet.

Must I expect pain when the anesthetic wears off?
You may experience pain depending on how many implants you have received. However, it can normally be controlled with a normal pain reliever. It is best to sleep with your head slightly elevated for the first night to prevent swelling from accumulating in the area.

Is the wound very sensitive?
The sensitivity will decrease from day to day. To prevent irritation or inflammation avoid touching the wound with your tongue or your fingers.

Can the wound still bleed after suturing? 
There may still be slight seepage of blood after the operation; this is quite normal. However, if the wound starts bleeding heavily hours or days later, something is not right. You should contact the clinic  without delay.

When will the sutures be removed?
The sutures are normally removed 7 to 10 days after implant placement. Your implantologist will tell you exactly when.

What happens after the sutures have been removed?
After removal of the sutures the implant must heal. Depending on which implant system your dentist has selected for you, a gum shaper will be placed on the implant after a 3 months. It will be replaced by the final crown, bridge or denture later.

Does the gum former feel uncomfortable in the mouth?
Not really. Most patients become accustomed to it after a few hours. However, be careful not to touch it frequently with your tongue or fingers. And clean it lightly with your toothbrush.

What must I remember for taking care of my new teeth?
Basically: care for implant-supported crowns or bridges in exactly the same way as your natural teeth. This means thorough brushing twice a day and cleaning the spaces between your teeth once a day. An extremely important point for implants is the keep the emergence positions of the implants from the gum clean. It is best to clean these areas in the evening with a fine interdental brush.

How can I care for removable dentures?
If you wear a denture on your implants, you should clean not only the denture but also the attachment components emerging from the gum twice a day with the toothbrush. And this is important: clean all around the connection to the jaw with a fine interdental brush. 

Why is it so important to keep these emergence areas clean?
Bacteria in food residue and plaque can penetrate the gum and bone particularly easily at these points. This causes inflammation, which in the worst case may cause implant loss.

Can I also clean the emergence points with dental floss?
You can certainly do that. However, if you pull the dental floss quickly back and forth there is a danger that you might injure the gum. Interdental brushes are gentler, safer and more efficient. The hygiene team at your dentist, which is responsible for regular professional cleaning of your teeth, can show you how to use the small brushes correctly.

What actually happens with professional tooth cleaning?
When you have your teeth professionally cleaned, specially trained dental assistants remove hidden and hard dental plaque that you cannot remove with your toothbrush or interdental brush. They also thoroughly polish the surfaces of your teeth to make it more difficult for plaque deposits to form.

How often should I have my teeth professionally cleaned?
Two or three appointments a year will normally provide optimum protection for your implants. However, your individual situation is the deciding factor. For example, if you have difficulty using the interdental brush correctly or are more prone to plaque formation, your dentist may recommend more frequent cleaning.

What toothbrush is right for me?
After healing is complete it is best to use a medium soft toothbrush with rounded and bundled bristles. Hard or low quality toothbrushes, particularly when pressed hard on the teeth, may cause the gum around the implants – and also around the natural neck of the tooth – to retract. It is best to ask your dentist to recommend the right toothbrush and the right brushing technique.

Can I use an electric toothbrush?
Electric toothbrushes are no better or worse than a normal toothbrush. If you are used to an electric toothbrush and can use it correctly, there is no reason why you should not use it for your implant-supported teeth.

Do you recommend a dental water jet?
There are different opinions about this. On one hand a dental water jet has a good cleaning effect; on the other hand if the water jet is too powerful it may injure the gum and actually push bacteria under the gum. If you have not previously used a dental water jet, you should not really start using one with implants. 

Can I use toothpaste with whitening agents with implants?
If you frequently use toothpaste with large abrasive particles it may roughen the surface of your new crowns, which will make it easier for plaque to form. In addition, abraded surfaces will discolor faster. You should select a standard toothpaste without a whitening effect for daily use.

Is mouthwash suitable?
Mouthwash is good for rinsing your mouth after snacks or for refreshing your mouth during the day. Some products may also help with inflammation. But be careful about self-medication: if you have gum problems for several days in succession or if your gum bleeds when you brush your teeth, you should make an appointment with your dentist.
AGE

Is there a minimum age for implants?
Bone growth should be complete at the time of implant placement. This can be assumed to be the case at the age of 18 years. In doubtful cases the bone can be assessed by x-raying the bones in the hand.

AIRPORT SECURITY INSPECTION

Will the implant set off a metal detector, such as during an airport security inspection?
No, implants are non-magnetic and will not trigger a metal detector.
ALLERGY

Could I be allergic to implants?
No allergic reactions to titanium implants have been reported in more than forty years. The material has no allergenic components and is completely neutral in the body.
ANESTHETIC

Is a general anesthetic required for implant placement?
No, the sensitivity to pain in the jaw can be completely removed with a local anaesthetic. You will feel some vibration and a feeling of pressure when the implant site is prepared in the bone but you will not feel any pain. However, if you would rather "sleep" through the operation, ask your implantologist about our sedation service.

BEAUTIFUL TEETH
I only need single implants, but I would like all my teeth to be brighter and more attractive. What can be done?
The dentist can often bleach darkened teeth. Unattractive front teeth can be coated with a porcelain or ceramic veneer. The crowns for the implants will then be brighter from the start or shaped to match the changes to the natural teeth. Ask your dentist about it.

BONE REMODELING

When could bone remodeling be necessary?
If teeth and the associated chewing load in the jaw are absent for an extended period, the bone gradually dissolves away. If the bone structure is weakened or thin to the extent that there is little or nothing to hold an implant in place, bone remodeling may be necessary. The bone tissue is restored as atraumatically as possible with bone from another part of the body or bone replacement material. The remodeling material is layered directly on the bone and is gradually converted to resistant bone tissue by the body. The bone can be widened or increased in height by this method. At the back of the upper jaw the bone is usually increased in height by a sinus lift. This prevents the situation where part of the implant extends into the maxillary sinus. It is often possible to carry out the bone remodeling at the same time as the implant placement. However, in other cases a separate outpatient procedure may be required.

CERAMIC

What material is used for the crowns?
Most routine crowns and bridges are metal or metal alloys and are veneered with ceramic to match the color of the teeth. The Wellington Clinic only uses the latest aesthetic alternative which are crowns made from entirely porcelain/ceramic.

CONSULTATION
What can I expect in the consultation?
Your implantologist will discuss in detail your initial situation, the treatment sequence and what you actually want. Don't forget to inform the implantologist of any general diseases that you might have or of medications that you take regularly.

COST
How much will it all cost?
The cost depends on the scope of the treatment and the number of implants. Your implantologist will prepare a cost estimate before starting the treatment so you will know exactly how much the treatment will cost.
DIABETES

I am a diabetic. Can I still have an implant?
Yes, but your diabetes should be stable and under control. Poorly managed or untreated diabetes can cause metabolic problems with the healing process. In case of doubt the implantologist will consult your diabetes physician.
DISEASES

Are there any diseases that make an implant placement impossible?
Usually not. If you suffer from a serious general condition such as cardiovascular diseases or osteoporosis, tendency to hemorrhage or you have an impaired immune system, you should always inform your implantologist.
EATING

Will I be able to bite and eat normally with an implant-borne denture?
Regardless of whether you have an implant-borne crown, bridge or prosthesis: you will be able to eat, bite, talk and laugh just as you could with your natural teeth
EXERCISE

What is the situation with exercise after implant placement?
Movement is basically not a problem after implant placement. However, you should consult your implantologist before engaging in activities requiring heavy physical activity soon after surgery. A few days of relaxation may be recommended to avoid affecting the healing process.
FEELING OF A FOREIGN BODY

Do implant-borne teeth feel different from natural teeth?
With implant-borne teeth your mouth will feel quite normal with talking, eating and laughing. You will not feel any difference.
IMMEDIATE IMPLANT PLACEMENT

Can implants also be placed immediately after extraction of teeth?
Yes, this is referred to as immediate implant placement. The implant is placed in the fresh wound immediately after extraction of a tooth [do not confuse this with immediate loading of implants]

IMMEDIATE LOADING
What exactly does "immediate loading“ mean?
The normal procedure after placement of an implant is an unloaded healing phase. During this period a standard temporary denture or bridge covers the gap. However, if the dentist finds that your bone situation meets the requirements, immediate loading of the implant is also possible. This means that a very high-quality temporary denture or a prosthesis is attached immediately to freshly placed implants and you receive your implants and fixed teeth on the same day. Ask your implantologist about this option.

IMPLANT LIFE

How long does an implant last?
Once the healing phase has been completed, a correctly placed high-quality implant is more resistant to many influences than the natural tooth root. An optimally loaded titanium implant will not break and cannot be affected by caries. Consistent oral hygiene will keep the gum and the implant site healthy. This means that implants can last a lifetime. The crown, bridge or denture will wear just as natural teeth can and may need replacing after 10-15 years.

IMPLANT MATERIAL

What are implants made of?
Implants are made of pure surgical titanium. The material has proven to be so suitable for the purpose that by now 99 percent of all dental implant systems use titanium. It is extremely stable and very compatible to the body. Titanium also becomes fully integrated into the bone tissue. The silvery-gray color of titanium is also not a disadvantage, because implants – just like the natural root of the tooth – are invisible inside in the jawbone.
MEDICATIONS

Are there any interactions with medications?
This is possible with some medications. If you take any medications regularly you must discuss this with your implantologist. For example, cortisone may change the metabolism and immune state of the body, which can cause problems with healing. Anticoagulation medications may cause potentially serious bleeding during implant placement.

OUTPATIENT PROCEDURE

Is the implant placement an outpatient procedure?
Yes, the implantologist carries out the treatment atraumatically in an outpatient procedure under local anaesthetic. Multiple implants can be placed in one session without problems.

PACEMAKER

Could implants affect a pacemaker?
No, because implants have no electromagnetic effect and therefore present no danger for the operation of a cardiac pacemaker.

PAIN

Will I feel pain after the operation?
The gum will probably still be sensitive in the first few days after the operation. Your cheek may swell up temporarily and feel uncomfortable. However, most patients won't even need a painkiller after the first day and can return to a normal life.

QUALITY
Are there different qualities of implants?
Like any other product implants are different in quality. Your implantologist can give you detailed advice on implant quality. Also ask about the long-term availability of replacement parts in case your denture ever needs to be repaired.

RISKS

Are there risks involved with the implant placement?
An implant placement is a minor operation. Complications such as injuries to nerves and blood vessels are certainly possible when placing implants. However, the current state of diagnostics and planning make this very unlikely. When conducted by a qualified implantologist an implant placement involves no more risk than the removal of a wisdom tooth.
A sudden rejection reaction of a completely healed implant is also very rare. In exceptional cases the bone may not hold the implant in place securely enough. In that case it would not be able to resist loading sufficiently and would probably have to be removed under local anesthetic. However, in such a case a new implant can normally be placed – if that is what you want. We do not charge for this 2nd placement as the success rate is so high.

And if an implant becomes infected?
When detected early enough, infections, which are usually caused by bacteria, can usually be treated successfully. If you always keep the postoperative and prophylaxis appointments at your dentist and clean your teeth regularly at home, you should be safe from infection.

SMOKING

Are implants recommended for smokers?
The long-term success rate of implants may be reduced by smoking. Ask your dentist about it. The dentist can estimate the risks in your case.
TOOTH CARE

How do I care for my implant-borne teeth?
Implant-borne teeth can be cleaned with a(n) (electric) toothbrush and toothpaste just as easily as their natural predecessors. It is particularly important to clean the interdental spaces and the transition areas to the gum. Bacteria can colonize these areas very quickly and can attack the gum and over time the jawbone around the implant. This can be prevented by using dental floss or small interdental brushes.
TREATMENT

When and how are the teeth placed on the implant?
In a normal healing process implants in the upper jaw are generally fully integrated into the jawbone after about six months. This takes about three months for implants in the lower jaw. Now your new crowns can be attached to the implants. First, the tops of the implants are uncovered and then small temporary caps are screwed to the implants to shape the gums correctly. Then an impression is taken to be used as a template by the dental technician to fabricate your denture. The denture is attached securely to the implants after accurate color matching and test-fitting.

Will I be without teeth at any time during the treatment and the healing phase?
If you had a removable denture before the treatment, you can normally continue to use it after minor adjustment. Otherwise the gap is closed by a temporary denture or bridge. If it is a posterior tooth and not visible then a temporary tooth may not be necessary

TREATMENT DURATION

How many appointments will be required for my new tooth roots?
This depends on the scope and type of your treatment. One session is usually enough for the consultation. The preliminary examination and planning is conducted at another appointment. Your new "tooth roots" can generally be placed and the gum sutured in another session. The sutures are removed about ten days later. Then the healing phase starts, during which additional appointments are not usually required.

WORK

When can I go back to work?
Depending on what your implantologist advises you can generally resume a normal life and go back to work the day after the operation

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