Dental Implants

Dental implants are a permanent procedure that involves supporting false teeth or replacement of missing teeth. Implants are used to replace missing roots and support artificial replacement teeth. They are an alternative to bridges and removable dentures. They are comfortable and look like natural teeth. A dental implant is an artificial root made of titanium metal. It is inserted into the jawbone to replace the root of the natural tooth. An artificial replacement tooth is attached to the implant. The implant acts as an anchor to hold the replacement tooth in place.

Like real teeth, implants need to be maintained and cleaned regularly as part of a healthy oral care routine and will need regular appointments to ensure they are taken care of. However, if implants are properly cared for, they are likely to last many years and are often preferable because of their longevity. They are often the best option to replace missing teeth.

Deciding on Dental Implants

If you are still unsure about whether dental implants are the right choice for you, here are some of the criteria to consider if implants would suitable for you.

• Have one or several missing teeth
• Healthy bone and gums with no conditions that would affect healing
• Dentures or bridges are unsuitable for you

Dental Implnt Benefits

• Adaptable - You can have implants to replace a single tooth or an entire row so no matter where your gap or missing teeth are, implants can be adapted to suit your needs. You also don't have to have individual implants per tooth because often one implant can support more than one tooth.
• Comfort - As they are a permanent fixture that are built to suit your mouth, dental implants can be more comfortable than dentures or temporary fittings that can rub or slip.
• More convenient - Unlike dentures or temporary options, implants are permanent fixtures meaning you don't have to consider how or where to remove your dentures.
• Better Dental Health - Unlike other options like bridges, implants don't involve adjusting surrounding teeth such as filing them down or making alterations. This means keeping more of your natural teeth intact. They are also very easy to clean around like natural teeth.
• Long-lasting - As mentioned, dental implants are one of the longer lasting options to replace lost teeth because of their durability.
• Functionality - As implants are placed into the bone, they are fixed and function in a similar way to a normal tooth. This means that eating and chewing with them feels more natural and is easier. This can also stop pain that some can feel with poorly fitted dentures which can rub or cause issues.

If you are a smoker or have damaged or infected jaw bones, for example if you have undergone radiotherapy, have osteoporosis or diabetes, you will need to speak to a dentist first about the suitability of implants as they may not be the best option. If you would like a consultation or to speak to a dentist contact us today. We offer appointments throughout the week where you can speak to a member of our team about dental implants.