Pensioners are ditching dentures in favour of dental implants, at a cost of up to £30,000.
Cosmetic dentists say more and more retirees are raiding their pensions to pay for the implants, which are not normally funded by the NHS, in search of a dazzling ‘Hollywood smile’ such as that displayed by A-listers.
Simon Cowell and Cameron Diaz are among those celebrities who are rumoured to have had the treatment.
Clinics can charge as much as £3,000 for one implant, £15,000 for a whole row of teeth and £30,000 for a complete set.
A dental implant is a titanium screw that can replace the root of a tooth when it fails. Just like a tooth root, it is placed into the jawbone and can be used to support one or more false teeth.
The body recognises the titanium as part of itself and grows onto it, giving a bionic, living connection. A tooth face is placed on top of the screw for a perfect smile.