Smiles by Hillside
120 Bittacy Rise, Mill Hill, NW7 2HL
Tel: 020 8346 0668

Teeth give quality of life Teeth play an important role in the overall quality of life. They give us self-confidence, enable us to speak clearly, enjoy eating and give us added security in dealing with all sorts of everyday situations. The importance of our teeth becomes apparent when we lose one or more of them or when their replacement in the form of conventional bridges causes problems.
Healthy teeth can't be taken for granted Life takes its toll on teeth, and disease along with accidents can lead to their loss. Missing teeth are a problem, not just aesthetically but also functionally and restrict us in many ways. A conventional denture can be a solution but can often cause long-term problems.
Even after losing some of your teeth, it is still possible to eat, talk and laugh with confidence.
Dental implants – giving you a new lease of life For over 40 years, dental implants have offered a long-term solution to the problem of missing teeth. Scientifically tested and researched, dental implants have been successful in dentistry for decades. They can replace one or more lost teeth or hold dentures securely in the mouth. The dental implant takes over the function of the root and thus acts as a post for the final restoration which can be a denture, crown or bridge.
Last but certainly not least, dental implants are becoming ever more popular because of the convincing success rates of over 96%.
Dental implants can be a way to give you back your quality of life and self-confidence.
A tooth root made of titanium
A dental implant is a small screw made of titanium, a well tolerated metal that integrates readily with the body. Intolerance only occurs in very rare cases.
A short operation for long-term solution
In order to take over the function of the tooth root, the dental implant is inserted in the jaw bone by a short operation, usually under local anaesthetic. It subsequently knits painlessly with the bone, forming a solid base for the long-term, stable fixation for the final restoration.
Aesthetic from the start
Depending on the situation it is possible to attach the final denture immediately after insertion of the implant. However, since long-term success is the main criteria in every implant case, this decision can only be made after your dentist has carefully considered the clinical situation. If the crown or denture cannot be attached immediately, an aesthetic temporary denture is placed until the time is right for the final restoration to be fitted.
An attractive solution
The most natural solution to tooth loss, both aesthetically and functionally, are implant-borne teeth. They fit harmoniously into the dental arch and are not only fixed as securely as natural teeth but cannot be distinguished from your real teeth in either function or appearance.
Dental implants help to preserve healthy teeth
In comparison to conventional bridges, when dental implants are placed, the neighbouring teeth do not have to be ground to stumps in order to support the new teeth. Healthy teeth, which have to be damaged in traditional methods, are therefore preserved.
Effective protection against bone loss
Just like natural tooth roots, dental implants transmit chewing forces evenly to the jaw bone. Just like with natural teeth, the stress of chewing preserves the natural shape of the jaw. If this stress is missing, the jaw bone slowly shrinks away.
New generation teeth
Security of fit is another advantage of dental implants. Patients are spared the disadvantage of dental implants such as painful pressure points and poor fit. In addition, the palate is no longer covered by denture material. This not only has positive effects on speech but also ensures that natural taste and the joy of eating are not compromised.
…when disease leads to tooth loss.
Whether young or old, severe gum or root inflammation, caries and other diseases can result in tooth loss. In these cases, dental implants are a useful alternative to revitalise your natural smile.
…when an accident leaves a tooth gap.
Whether in sport or ordinary life, a small accident leading to the loss of one or more teeth happens fast. Here too, dental implants can restore natural appearance and function. In some cases, implants can even be inserted immediately after an accident, depending on the damage to the surrounding tissue.
…when teeth have been missing since birth.
Tooth gaps can also be due to congenital absence. If teeth have not developed or have grown incompletely, dental implants provide a solid foundation for all types of restorations.
For nearly all ages
Dental implants can be used as soon as jaw growth is complete. Apart from this restriction, implants can provide an optimal solution for all age groups.
Requirements for successful treatment
The basic requirements for successful dental implant treatment are a good general state of health, good oral hygiene and adequate bone quality and volume. If the bone volume is insufficient to support an implant, there are various ways or restoring the bone to prepare it for successful implantation.
Detailed discussion, diagnostic investigations and planning are crucially important
Whether dental implants are the best solution in an individual case can only be determined by detailed examination and discussion with your dentist. If all the medical requirements are met, careful treatment planning by the dentist is also required if an optimal and long-lasting outcome is to be achieved.
40 years of intensive independent research
Since they were developed in the 1960s, the use of dental implants has been investigated in over 10,000 scientific studies into implant solutions for over 15 years, which clearly confirm the high success rate of over 96%.
Care for long-term success
As with natural teeth, you will require regular check-ups and a conscientious oral hygiene routine in order to take care of the teeth on your dental implants. Appropriate care, together with careful treatment planning and correct insertion of the implant, are the most important requirements for long-term success.
The costs are as individual as the solutions
The treatment and associated costs depend on different factors and can vary from person to person. The costs are calculated from the number of dental implants to be inserted, the type of restoration chosen and the dental laboratory work that is required to complete the case. Additional costs may arise if the bone also has to be “built up” to support the implant. The individual treatment and cost plan will usually give information about the costs of the surgery (placement of the implants new teeth in the dental laboratory) and prosthetics (fitting the teeth).
"My problems with gum disease started a few years ago and subsequently two back teeth had to be removed. I wanted a replacement that would be as natural as possible and fixed permanently in my mouth. That is why I decided to have implants. I had some doubts before the operation as I could not imagine the results clearly. However, my worries were unjustified as the operation was painless. I feel very pleased with my new teeth and I can laugh out loud again. On the basis of this experience, I would opt for implants again any time."
Susan, 42, civil servant"I broke my front tooth playing sport when I was a teenager and unfortunately my dentist was unable to save my tooth. Having a dental implant made complete sense because I didn't want my other healthy teeth cut down for a bridge. My implant crown is perfect in every way and I am glad I chose this treatment."
Thomas, 20, student"I used to have constant problems with my full denture when eating and speaking and it often came loose which was very unpleasant. Since my denture has been implant-supported, it stays in place perfectly. Dental implants have given me a better quality of life."
Hilda, 63, self-employed