Restorative dentistry aims to repair damage that has been caused by dental trauma. This includes when teeth have been knocked out or lost due to decay. There are several methods of replacing missing teeth that include dental bridges and partial dentures. However, perhaps the most realistic and certainly the most permanent is called a dental implant.

The implant itself is a small titanium screw that is anchored directly into the jawbone. Once it is there it will need several weeks or even months to properly fuse with the natural tissue and bone in the jaw. Once solid, the dentists can then attach a post followed by an artificial tooth to the implant. In this way it is the only dental restoration to replace the whole of the tooth from root to tip.

Unlike most other restorations, the dental implant is a permanent solution that does not need to be replaced. Because it replaces the whole of the tooth, including the root, it is also a lot more stable and less likely to suffer damage than a dental bridge. It also means that patients are free to enjoy any food without having to worry about the damage.

London dentists also offer mini-implants to patients who wear dentures. These are a series of smaller implants that are used as a stable and permanent base for dentures. This alleviates the anxiety felt by many denture wearers that they are going to fall out at inopportune moments and means they do not have to resort to sticky and messy denture adhesives.

Dental implants are one of the most popular and realistic ways of replacing missing teeth. The procedure involves screwing small titanium screws into the jawbone to act as an anchor for an artificial tooth. The treatment is the only dental replacement that replaces the whole tooth and gives the patient relief from the anxiety of missing teeth and temporary replacements.

For dental implants into the upper arc the success rate for surgery is around 91 per cent and for the bottom dental arc about 98 per cent making them some of the most successful dental procedures. However there are some side effects and occasionally treatment may be unsuccessful.

It may be possible to develop an infection if the implant or materials are contaminated. Although this is unlikely it is possible and will need to be monitored after surgery. The side effects of an infection can be quite painful and unpleasant so it really is worth keeping a close eye out for symptoms of infection. It must be stated that infections occur in a tiny fraction of all cases.

Other side effects of dental implants include some bruising and swelling after the implant. This will vary for different patients but will usually disappear naturally soon after the treatment. Dental implants from a London dentist are still one of the safest and best ways to replace a missing tooth. Speak to your dentist for more information about the procedure.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are small titanium screws fixed directly into the jaw to act as a solid base for an artificial tooth, replacing a tooth that is missing due to dental trauma or decay. They can be used to attach one or more teeth, or in a series of five can be used as a secure base to attach dentures.

Who do dental implants benefit?

Dental implants are ideal for patients with missing teeth who have otherwise healthy jawbones and teeth in generally good condition. Patients who don’t have a suitable jawbone can have additional graft surgery to strengthen the bone, or could benefit form other dental substitutions such as dental bridges or partial dentures.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

Dental implants are much more sturdy and realistic then other dental restorations. Because the implant replaces the tooth root, the whole tooth is being replaced rather than just the crown. This makes a dental implant feel more like a real tooth and also act like one. Unlike with other restorations, implants allow patients to eat whatever they want without the anxiety of breaking the implant. For denture wearers, implants remove the anxiety of loose dentures and the need for messy adhesives.

How long is treatment?

The initial implant can be fixed in one session but it will need several weeks or months to fuse with the bone and soft tissue. During this time the dentist may attach a temporary crown. When fusion has taken place, a post is attached to the implant and finally a porcelain crown. In all, two or three appointments are needed to replace the missing tooth but they may be spread out over some time. Once fixed, a dental implant can last a lifetime if properly cared for.

Is a dental implant painful?

The actual surgery is carried out under anaesthetic so it will not hurt. Some patients may experience some mild discomfort for a few days after initial surgery but this will wear off naturally.

Dental implant surgery is available from all Central London dentists and the costs vary depending on the nature of treatment. Make an appointment to discover more details about dental implants.

Everybody wants to have the perfect smile. A beautiful beam, full of white, evenly sized teeth can be a very attractive and useful asset. After all, smiling is one of the most important methods we have of demonstrating our emotions and communicating with others. For those of us who have not been blessed by Mother Nature with a beautiful set of natural teeth, science has come to our aid. In the last twenty years, a vast array of cosmetic dentistry procedures have been created (or improved from former, more archaic, treatments) which has made it possible for us all to have our dream smile.

For patients who suffer from chipped or cracked teeth, there is the option of dental bonding. This involves the application of a composite resin, matching the colour of the existing teeth, which can be applied and hardened to disguise the damage. For more serious cases, patients can now be fitted with the very latest CEREC technology crowns. Made with the aid of 3D computer technology, CEREC crowns are sculpted to microscopic degrees of accuracy from a single piece of pre-matched porcelain, providing the most realistic looking crowns ever produced.

For other patients who have missing teeth, either from decay or from head traumas, there are a variety of options to replace the missing teeth. Dental bridges can be constructed and fitted that can last up to ten years, if cared for correctly. Alternatively, a dental implant, where a crown is secured to the jawbone, can provide the most stable and solid alternative to a real tooth.

Once the teeth have been repaired to look straight and even, there are a multitude of processes that can make them appear whiter. Although home whitening kits are available, it is always recommended to have this procedure carried out by a dentist for safety reasons.

Whatever the nature, or magnitude of problems you may have with your teeth, the latest in cosmetic dentistry will be able to restore or create the appearance of a healthy smile. The new technologies in cosmetic dentistry have made it possible to give you a complete smile makeover with a minimum of pain and stress. Visit a London dentist for advice on which cosmetic procedures could work best for you and treat yourself to the smile you always wanted.

hen the internal structure of a tooth is damaged one can go in for root canal treatment. It treats the damaged tooth and restores it to a state of normalcy. The early symptom of a damaged tooth is sensitivity to hot or cold food and slight pain while chewing.

A detailed examination of your tooth will enable the dentist to analyse the extent of damage caused. The examination is basically done by taking an x-ray of your teeth. This is done in order to analyse the underlying bone and the root of the teeth.

The dentist begins by asking whether you have symptoms like aching and throbbing while chewing. He will also enquiry about any injury or any other medical condition that you may have had related to the teeth.

The London dentists will then look for cavities and assess the condition of the existing fillings that you may have undergone in the past. He will evaluate the condition of your teeth by checking for loose teeth, check for pain in the tooth by tapping it and thereby assess the state of the gums.

X-ray enables the London dentist to view the internal and surrounding part of the tooth. It also helps the dentist to tract down unhealthy changes that might be occurring in the teeth.

The tooth basically consists of two parts, the crown and the root. The part that is visible above the gums is called crown. On the other hand the root is responsible for anchoring the tooth to the jawbone. Within the root and the crown lies a soft tissue also known as pulp, which helps in nourishing the tooth. It is main function is to stop bacteria from attacking the tooth.

Incase the tooth is attacked by some bacteria, it eventually destroys the pulp and leading to breakdown of the bone and loosing of tooth.

Root canal treatment removes the pulp from the root canal through an opening made in the top. The canal is then disinfected and cleaned and then sealed. The necessary filling is done toward the end of the treatment. One needs to make more than one visit in order to get completely diagnosed.