If you have missing teeth or have been advised to consider tooth replacement treatments, you may have come across dental implants. These innovative prostheses are rapidly changing the way we replace lost natural teeth and the good news is that they are becoming widely available. If you’re conscious of the appearance of your teeth, why not consider transforming your smile with dental implants?
Everything you need to know about dental implants
Dental implants are a versatile solution for missing natural teeth. They are suited to almost every patient who has gaps in their smile and as they are compatible with a range of different restorations, they can be used to replace any number of lost teeth. The actual implant is a small titanium screw-like device, which is inserted into the jaw bone to take on the role of the tooth root. The implant is designed to anchor and stabilise a new restoration, which replaces the visible part of the tooth. Titanium is used because it is a biocompatible material and this facilitates integration into the bone tissue. Once the integration process is complete, the implant offers the same level of stability as a natural, healthy tooth root.
Most commonly, implants are placed under sedation or local anaesthetic. An incision is made and a gum flap created. The flap is lifted to enable your dentist to access the bone. A small hole, which acts as a socket, is created in the bone and the implant is then inserted. The gum flap is closed and the incision sutured. The implant is then left to heal and go through the process of osseointegration. Once this is complete, the implant is then connected to a dental bridge, denture or crown.
Implants are an attractive proposition because they offer a long-term solution for tooth loss. They last for many years and they give you the same level of functionality and the same aesthetic as natural teeth, implants are one of the most effective ways of replacing teeth and more and more people are choosing to reap the rewards of innovative implant treatment.
If you like the sound of a long-term, effective, natural-looking replacement for a lost tooth or a number of missing teeth, contact your dentist to find out more about how implants could transform your smile and boost your confidence.