Are dental implants provided by the NHS?
Dental implants are only available on the NHS in certain cases. Generally, implants are provided when it's essential for maintaining or restoring part of the mouth, for instance, after a serious illness or injury.
The NHS will not cover the cost of cosmetic improvements through the use of dental implants. NHS Dental services only provide essential treatments to patients, ensuring that all NHS users have fair and equal access to the necessary dental care.
Dentistry is both expensive and time-consuming. Since the NHS covers treatment for exempt patients and offers reduced costs for others, it has limited resources. As a result, only treatments that are deemed medically necessary are included, and dental implants are usually not part of that unless there are special circumstances. A conversation with your dentist can better clarify what options are available to you, and if special circumstances may apply.
Is there a criterion for being given dental implants on the NHS?
You're more likely to be considered for NHS-funded dental implants if you need major reconstructive work.
This may be the case if
- You’ve lost teeth or suffered jaw damage due to a serious injury or illness.
- Dentures haven’t worked for you, or you’re unable to wear them comfortably.
- You have a genetic condition affecting the development or health of your teeth or jaw, such as ectodermal dysplasia, cleft palateThe hard and soft tissues forming the roof of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities., or hypodontia.
In these situations, implants may be the only realistic option to restore proper function in your mouth. However, NHS dentists will usually try all other treatment options first—implants are typically a last resort.
What’s the referral process like?
If the dentist thinks that implants may be the more suitable form of treatment, they’ll first make sure that no other treatments would work. If none are suitable, they might refer you to a specialist implantA device specially designed to be placed surgically within or on the mandibular or maxillary bone dentist or oral surgeon.
Here’s what the process generally involves:
Assessment: Dentists will be reluctant to refer NHS patients for dental implants unless all the alternatives have been explored or deemed inappropriate. If the dentist has concluded that dental implants are the most suitable treatment, they will refer the patient to a hospital-based dentist with implant experience/surgeon to proceed to the next stages of treatment.
Bone Grafting: Patients will then enter the pre-operative stage, where the teeth, gums and jaw are assessed, typically with a physical exam and X-rays. This will allow the dentist to assess if bone grafts will be needed if there is insufficient bone volume.
Implant placement: If the patient needs bone grafting in order to create stability for the implant, it will be explored further, with a surgeon consulting with the patient to discuss the treatment methods and suitability.
For patients not needing bone grafts or patients who have had them placed and healed, the next stage is the process of the implants being fitted.
To find out if you could be elibigle for dental implants, or just to find out more about what it entails, book a consultation at your local Colosseum Dental practice.
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