A dental implant is a small titanium cylinder which is integrated into the jaw. Once in place we close the space in the smile with a ceramic restoration to provide a permanent, fixed solution. Dental implants can be used to replace the need for dentures and bridges. Implants have longevity beyond a denture or a bridge
Teeth give quality of life: Teeth play a major role in our overall quality of life by giving confidence to speak, eat and smile. However, the importance truly becomes apparent when we lose one or more of them, or when they are replaced with conventional dentures and bridges.
Don’t take them for granted: Time takes its toll on our teeth; accidents and dental problems can lead to their loss. Missing teeth can be a problem both in appearance and in function. A denture, which is a removable dental plate, or a bridge, which is false teeth secured to natural teeth, can be solutions to the problem of gaps, but can cause more serious problems in the long term.
Dental implants can give you a new start: Dental implants are a well tested way to replace one or more teeth or can hold a denture very securely in place. The implant replaces the tooth root which can then support and fix a tooth in position. Thus, dental implants can give you back your quality of life and self confidence.
How do they work? A dental implant is a small screw made of very pure titanium metal, which is tolerated well by the body, and heals readily within the body. It’s used in other areas of reconstruction, for instance, replacement hip joints.A short procedure, usually under local anaesthetic, inserts the implant in the jaw; subsequently the bone knits to the surface of the implant, forming a solid, secure base for fixing a tooth thereafter.
What are the advantages of dental implants? Once an implant has healed, teeth fixed to it act as securely as natural teeth, and cannot be distinguished from natural teeth in appearance and function.
Dental implants help to preserve natural healthy teeth, as other methods of tooth replacement, namely bridges, involve the neighbouring teeth to a gap being ground down to stumps in order to support the new teeth on a bridge. This is not the case with implant retained teeth.
Having implants placed preserves the natural shape of the jaw as without them the bone will slowly shrink away.
You don’t need to wear a denture, which can be painful, bulky and can effect speech and taste.
When can dental implants be used?
When dental disease of the gum or tooth leads to tooth loss.
When an accident leads to tooth loss.
When teeth have been missing since birth.
Who are dental implants suitable for? Practically everybody of all age groups. However, one of the most important aspects of providing dental implants is in the planning, so you would need a detailed examination including X-rays.
Are they safe? There has been 40 years of intensive research, which show implants are safe. They do, of course, need looking after like your own natural teeth and regular checks by your dentist.
So what’s the first step? Book an appointment with your dentist and ask for details of implant treatment!
