What We Do?

In some cases, there is insufficient bone for implant placement. Bone grafts regenerate lost bone density, providing enough bone to support an implant. Bone can naturally degrade when a tooth has been missing for a long period of time or as a result of periodontal disease, trauma or infection.

Our principal particulate graft materials are produced by prestigious European Biomaterials companies such as Geistlich Biomaterials (Bio-Oss, Bio-Guide) and Botiss Biomaterials, Zimmer/Biomet and Ethoss.

Sinus grafting is an oral surgical procedure used to restore lost bone volume in the back of the upper jaw. Bone substitute materials of animal, human or synthetic source are used commonly for this procedure rather than harvesting patients’ own bone.

When the bone loss is only moderate, the sinus floor can be lifted so the implant and bone graft can be placed at the same time. Generally a minimum bone depth of approximately 6 mm is required to ensure that this technique can be carried out predictably. We assess the bone height and volume with the aid of a 3D dental CBCT scan to determine the most optimal technique of bone augmentation and grafting in each individual case.

The healing period following sinus grafting prior to implant placement is usually 3-6 months.

In these procedures, resorbable membranes (eg. collagen membrane) and bone substitute materials are used to regenerate the lost bone and soft tissue when implants are to be placed at sites with insufficient volumes of bone or gingival tissue.

This technique is preferred when there is only a moderate amount of bone loss. It can be used to support new bony growth on the crest of the jaw bone and may be placed in tooth sockets after extraction to treat the sockets and prepare for future implant placement, and filling of bony defects caused by cysts or impacted teeth.

GBR technique is also used to re-built the bone at failed implant sites to allow the placement of new implants in adequate bone structure.

Socket augmentation is a procedure in which bone augmentation or filler material is placed in the socket of an extracted tooth at the time of tooth removal to preserve the bone and stop the socket from shrinking.

Without socket preservation, the bone quickly resorbs making implant placement difficult or even impossible. All dental prostheses require good jaw bone support for them to be successful in the long run.

We accept referrals and give second opinions for failing and failed case treatment including:

• Aesthetic failures
• Fractured implants/mechanical failures although these are rare in well planned cases
• Treatment of peri-implant diseases and complications
• Treatment planning advice and help in complex cases
• Replacement of failed implants with Zygomatic or 3D printed customised titanium implants

Peri-implantitis is, in simple terms, a periodontal (gum) disease that affects the tissues supporting an implant. If not prevented or treated periodontal/peri-implant disease could lead to tooth (or implant) mobility due to loss of bone support and gum shrinkage.

During the pre-treatment assessment phase, the existing gum condition is carefully examined and improved to high levels of health to ensure that the implants have the best possible chance of survival and longevity.

If periodontal disease is detected, then a course of (periodontal) gum treatment is indicated to stabilise and control the disease before reconstructing any lost bone. Peri-implantitis affects the hard and soft tissues around an implant and can lead to deep seated bone shrinkage and pocketing. It can be relatively easily prevented or treated if recognised early.

When the bone loss occurs more than 50% of the length of the implant it may be necessary to remove the implant (explantation), augment the site and replace the implant with a new fixture.

Implant removal may be necessary due to a variety of reasons. We are regularly referred failing implants placed elsewhere for remedial treatment. These problems are almost always related to bad planning and inaccurate or inappropriate delivery of treatment. Lack of bone or bone shrinkage is also one of the common causes.

Removal of an implant is indicated if there is continued peri-implant infection/ bone shrinkage associated with it or if it has suffered a catastrophic mechanical fracture. This can usually be performed under local dental injection. An replacement implant can usually be planned subsequently.

Implant prosthesis such as crowns, bridges and implant-retained overdentures can fail and fracture due to technical or mechanical failures. In our experience, based on complications referred to us by other dentists, most of these complications are related to failure to assess, diagnose and execute the initial treatment plan (the blueprint) correctly.

Our long standing experience in this area allows us to take on these cases, remedy difficult circumstances and deliver predictable and stable results. This may mean additional surgical correction, bone & tissue regenerative surgery, orthodontics or the clever use of gum coloured porcelains and composite to disguise the effects of tissue loss. We have also the experience to offer the use of 3D planning and printing/milling technology to design, in-house, custom made surgical guides for accurate and precise implant placement and reconstructions.