Dental Implants On The NHS?

Are Dental Implants Covered by The NHS?

Dental Implants NHS

Dental implants small titanium screws that are used to replace missing teeth. Many patients ask if dental implants on the nhs is possible? The dental implants procedure is generally more costly than other types of dental care and in the UK are generally provided only by private practice clinics.

However, there are specific circumstances where dental implants can be available on the NHS.  The NHS will not pay for dental implant treatment which you have chosen to have for lifestyle reasons. All treatment that is necessary to maintain oral health can be provided and is available on the NHS. This means the NHS provides any treatment that you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy and free of pain.

The NHS may provide dental implant treatment if a patient has:

• congenitally missing teeth, for example children that are born with several teeth missing, patients with a cleft lip/palate and missing teeth
• oral cancer that resulted in the loss of permanent teeth and gum tissues
• facial trauma / injury to the mouth that resulted in severe tooth loss
• where missing teeth has a profound effect on general health and well-being

Click Here to read more about what treatment is covered on the NHS on this NHS choices .

Due to the stringent health care budget that they have to work with and the overwhelming demands made on it, the NHS has to prioritise treatment according to the needs and benefits of all people.

In order to be considered for dental implant treatment ( weather on the nhs or privately ) certain factors should be taken into account:

• presence of absence of gum disease. In order for dental implants to be successful it is important to have healthy teeth and gums. Gum disease destroys the supporting bone around teeth which eventually leads to tooth loss. If the gum disease is left untreated, then dental implants will fail. Hence it is important that before considering dental implant treatment gum disease needs to be treated, resolved and maintained. Regular and frequent visits to your dentist/hygienist are highly recommended.
• can the future dental implant be properly maintained. Factors such as arthiritis, limited dexterity can make cleaning/brushing and hygiene difficult around dental implants. This could cause dental implants to fail in the long term. Unless good oral hygiene can be maintained dental implants are not recommended.
• other systemic illnesses. Diabetes, dry mouth syndrome & chronic medications can make dental implant treatment less predictable. Dental implants need ideal healing conditions and unless patients are fit and healthy then dental implant treatment may not progress as expected
• Smoking. Tobacco smoking has a detrimental effect on dental implants over the long term. Patients who smoke will have a greater tendency for implant failure and bone loss around the implant. If you are considering dental implant treatment it is best to STOP smoking.
• Alcohol consumption. Dental implants are more prone to fail if a patient has a high consumption of alcohol.

For more info about NHS dental implant treatment…

We would recommend that you speak with your general dentist about the guidelines of treatment within your local area. Each local area would advise as to the specific criteria needed for dental implant treatment on the NHS. Your general dental practitioner would be the best person to speak to about this treatment option.

Alternative options to cover dental implant treatment costs?

As dental implants become more popular and the treatment continues to become more predictable, the price of treatment has recently become more affordable to patients. As with most new concepts/technology the cost can become more affordable as competition increases and efficiencies improve in the industry. Dental implants in the UK were considered costly in the past however more affordable dental implant options are now available. Brighton Implant Clinic offers high quality dental implants at a more affordable price. The team are highly experienced in dental implant treatment spending most of their clinical time focusing exclusively on dental implant treatment

The clinic has been established since 2009 and has an onsite CT Scanner for precise implant planning, an onsite dental laboratory for custom precise implant restorations. The clinic is a dedicated facility offering high quality dental implant treatment in a modern, efficient and friendly environment.

Spreading the cost of dental implant treatment….

The cost of dental implant treatment can also be spread over the course of treatment. At Brighton Implant Clinic we do provide dental fee payment plans with 0% interest. Speak to your dentist about flexible payment options to help with the cost of treatment.

Book an appointment | Brighton Implant Clinic

What are the options of dental implants?

What if your local area does not provide dental implant treatment and your unable to afford dental implant treatment carried out privately. The options for replacing a single missing tooth are listed below

• leave the gap and do not have any other treatment. This will be the cheapest and simplest solution, it also carries the lowest risk. Over time you will lose bone in the area and future dental treatment may be more complex because of the thinner and softer bone that will develop in the area where the tooth is missing.
• have a partial denture. This is a small plastic or thin metal appliance that is made to custom fit your mouth and replace the missing tooth or teeth. It usually fits between the existing teeth and or roof of your mouth. Dentures can look really good and are very popular however the main problem is that they are removable and can move / rub the gum tissues during eating / function. Furthermore ill fitting denture can affect speech and patients sometimes can have difficulty pronouncing certain sounds like F’s and S’s. Denture also cover areas of the mouth that help with taste sensation. Hence food does not taste normal when a denture is covering the roof of the mouth. Denture ARE available on the NHS.
• a fixed bridge. A fixed dental bridge also known as a fixed partial denture is more secure and comfortable than a removable denture. The dental bridge or FPD is secured to adjacent strong healthy natural teeth by means of a strong adhesive cement. Prior to making the fixed bridge the adjacent teeth need to be prepared to accept the bridge. This preparation involves making the natural teeth thinner and shorter. The process is irreversible and damages the teeth because the protective enamel layer is removed permanently. Dental bridges are more comfortable than removable dentures however they are more prone to cause problems long term because the supporting teeth are compromised during the bridge preparations. A more conservative option which is not always an option is a Maryland bridge. This type of bridge design does not involve preparation of the adjacent teeth but instead it has thin adhesive wings that stick to the adjacent teeth. A Maryland bridge is far more conservative than a conventional fixed bridge however they are more prone to failure. Because of the limited adhesive surface area of the maryland bridge the cement can fail and the bridge can debond. Fixed bridges and maryland bridges are available on the NHS