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.

Modern dentistry has advanced to the stage that missing teeth can now be replaced with functional and realistic dental replacements. In the past, dental substitutes were usually in the form of plates or partial dentures which were not permanently attached. These were often prone to coming loose or falling out at inopportune moments. Another, more modern option for missing teeth is to have a more permanent dental bridge fitted.

A dental bridge is attached to the existing teeth with either dental crowns or resin-bonded strips, depending on the condition of the teeth. An artificial tooth, also called a pontic, is the attached to the crowns or resin strips to fill the gap left by a missing tooth.

Missing teeth need to be replaced for a number of reasons. Firstly, and most obviously, are the aesthetic reasons. Missing teeth can be quite unpleasant and very noticeable, especially if in the teeth at the front. They can also have adverse effects on profile and facial muscles, which can sag if several teeth are missing. Missing teeth can also cause there to be changes in the way the other teeth are aligned. Gaps can allow teeth to lean and rotate, which may cause painful bite interruptions and jaw conditions.

London dentists offer dental bridges to replace missing teeth as a standard procedure. The cost of a dental bridge varies according to the severity of work needed. A dental bridge can restore the appearance and functionality of a lost tooth and will last for up to fifteen years if properly maintained.

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.

Dentures, or partial dentures, are artificial teeth that are specifically designed to replace all or part of the dental arc when teeth have been lost to decay or accidental damage. In the past dentures have had something of a bad reputation because they were unrealistic and patients often had trouble with poorly fitted sets, but denture technology has come a long way.

Losing teeth, whether to decay or because of a head trauma or accident, can be a very unpleasant experience. Everyday activities like eating and drinking can become very difficult and speech and facial structure can be adversely affected. It is important to replace missing teeth to limit the damage done to bite and also for aesthetic reasons. Many people with missing teeth feel embarrassed about their situation and are ashamed to smile or show their missing teeth. A set of dentures can restore a patient’s confidence to smile and eat foods made difficult when teeth are missing.

Modern dentures are made from a combination of ceramic and acrylic resin. They are fitted over the top of remaining gum tissue and ideally should remain in place by suction alone. This is sometimes not the case and loose dentures can fall out or cause irritation to the sensitive gum tissue. For this reason many denture wearers resort to using adhesives to secure their dentures, which is an added hassle and can prevent patients eating certain foods. One alternative option that is becoming more popular is mini-implants anchored directly into the jawbone to act as a solid base for the dentures. This reassures the wearer and feels more like real teeth.

Losing your teeth is something we could all do without, but with nearly a quarter of all people aged over 75 having no original teeth remaining it is a fact we may have to face. However, with improved quality denture technology available form City of London dentists, wearing dentures is not the burden it used to be. Denture wearers can now live a perfectly normal life, eating what they want when they want free from the worry of embarrassment.

Did you know that a dental implant could be the best option to replace a missing tooth? Dental implants are anchored to the jawbone itself to provide a realistic and tooth-like level of security rather than resting on the gum like other dental substitutions. An implant from a London dentist is therefore a more long-term solution to a missing tooth.

Missing teeth need to be replaced for a number of cosmetic and wider health issues. A gap in the dental arc can be the cause behind dental infections and decay, bite problems and painful jaw conditions such as bruxism and TMJ. Replacing the tooth as soon as possible is always a good idea to prevent it causing you any further dental complications.

Statistics in the UK show that over two thirds of adults over the age of forty have lost at least one tooth to decay or accident. By the age of 75, a quarter of all people have lost all their natural teeth. More temporary or unfixed solutions such as dental bridges and dentures can perform a cosmetic role but they are really only band-aids for the actual missing tooth. A dental implant actually strives to replace the whole structure of the tooth for the patient’s peace of mind and to remove the need for messy adhesives. Dental implants are also so strong that they do not inhibit the eating of certain tougher foods that can be the case with more fragile substitutes.

A dental implant comes in the form of a small titanium screw that is drilled into the jawbone through the gum. Given time, the bone and gum tissue will fuse to the implant making it solid and ready to receive an artificial tooth. When this is attached, the patient will have the secure feeling of a real tooth that is only achievable with anchored dental implants.

Having a missing tooth, for whatever reason, can be an embarrassing and unpleasant situation. Not only does it have an adverse affect on confidence and esteem because of its negative aesthetic appearance, but it can also cause a variety of dental health and muscle problems if not replaced. Along with partial dentures and dental implants, the other major restoration available is a dental bridge.

A dental bridge literally involves bridging the gap of the missing tooth using dental crowns for support and an artificial tooth called a pontic. They rely on the patient having reasonably healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth to which the crowns can be attached. A Central London dentist will fit a dental bridge over the course of several appointments, first installing the crowns and a temporary bridge, when satisfied with the crowns, the dentist can then fix the artificial tooth, usually made of porcelain, which is slightly embedded in the gum to give it a more realistic appearance.

There are other types of dental bridge that can be used in certain situations. If the teeth are in particularly good condition and the dentist does not want to remove any enamel to fit a crown, the pontic can be supported by resin bonded strips. If there are only existing teeth on one side of the gap, a cantilever bridge can be used by attaching two or more crowns on that side for support. Dental bridges can last up to ten years if properly maintained. They are not the most sturdy of the dental replacements but they are one of the most affordable.

As dental technology improves with the increased use of computer aided design and manufacture dentists are able to achieve more realistic and lifelike results. One aspect of dentistry that has significantly improved over recent years is the manufacture of dentures. In the past dentures have often been poorly made and fitted and at best only partially lifelike. Perhaps because of this, dentures always seemed to have a stigma attached and were often a source of great embarrassment for wearers. Fortunately this seems to be becoming a thing of the past, relegated to the dental dustbin.

Dentures are required when a patient has lost some or all the teeth in a dental arc. This could be due to periodontal disease or tooth decay, or even as the result of some kind of head trauma. Whatever the cause, tooth loss can be very embarrassing causing several psychological issues such as loss of confidence or self-esteem. But missing teeth affect more than just a patient’s emotional state. Missing teeth in a dental arc can cause remaining teeth to lean or slide into the space. This can cause disruption in bite which can be irritating and even be the cause of painful jaw disorders called TMJ.

Cosmetically, teeth act as supports for much of the facial tissue which will sag if not held in place by teeth. This sunken appearance makes patients look much older than they are and can become permanent if the teeth are not replaced soon after they are lost.

Dentures are artificial sets of teeth that, if fitted correctly should stay attached to the gums by suction alone. Often, if dentures are ill-fitting they can fall out causing embarrassment to the wearer. Many patients resort to wearing sticky and messy dental adhesive gels or strips for extra security. It is now possible to attach dentures using a series of mini implants secured to the jawbone. This provides the added security hat denture patients need without the mess.

It is important for denture wearers to keep up regular visits to the dentist as dentures can cause gum irritation and even erosion that can be very damaging. A London dentist will be able to offer further advice about the benefits and possibilities of dentures.

There are many reasons why a patient may have lost some or all of their teeth. It could be the result of periodontal disease, or tooth decay. It may even be the result of an accident or head trauma. Whatever the reason, having missing teeth can be a source of great embarrassment and cause self-confidence issues. Just as importantly though, having missing teeth can have a negative impact on profile and can ultimately lead to sagging of the facial tissue. For these reasons it is very important to replace the teeth with dentures, or a partial denture if only a few teeth are missing.

Dentures, which act as a removable substitute for teeth, have had a stigma attached to them over the years but this is becoming less of a factor. Technological advances have meant that dentures have vastly improved in quality and appearance. A set of dentures today will look and feel a lot more realistic than the dentures of the past. Modern dentures are normally made from acrylic resins, but a whole new range is being introduced called Valplast flexible dentures. Ask your London dentist about the new ranges of incredibly realistic and comfortable dentures.

If your dentures are constructed accurately, the suction alone should be enough to keep them securely in place. For dentures that are not as well fitted, it may be necessary for some patients to use denture adhesive. Some patients just feel more comfortable knowing that their dentures are secured. But adhesive can be messy and make the eating of certain foods more or less impossible. More and more patients these days are opting for dentures secured by rigid dental implants. This can really provide the security and extra confidence that some denture wearers need.

Dentures are fairly resistant to staining and wear, but they will last longer if they are properly cared for. Removing dentures at night and brushing them twice a day like regular teeth will help to prolong their life. A London dentist will also be able to offer professional denture cleaning services at your regular six-monthly check up. It is important to maintain these visits even if you have no teeth remaining. Dentures can become ill fitting due to changes in the mouth and gum erosion and may need refitting by the dentist for maximum comfort and security.

There are a number of dental procedures available to replace a missing tooth, but among the most realistic is a dental implant. Because it is anchored directly to the jawbone itself, it can offer a greater degree of stability than a dental bridge or conventional crown.

For patients with missing teeth, it can often be a great source of embarrassment that can affect self-confidence and cause self-esteem issues. This can be a significant hindrance, especially considering that smiling is one of the most effective ways of communicating emotions. A dental implant could be the answer when considering replacing a missing tooth.

The implant comes in the form of a small metal screw that is attached to the solid structure of the jaw. They are usually made from titanium or other metals of considerable strength suitable for use in the human body. It is this strength that makes them comparable to a real tooth. Dental implants have existed for some years but recent advances in technology have made them the option of choice for patients wanting to replace a missing tooth.

Once the screw is attached to the jaw it is left for approximately two weeks so that it has time to fuse with the bone and gums, in a process called osseointergration. When this has happened, the dentist will attach a post to the screw and then finally a solid crown to the screw. This added stability not only looks and feels more realistic but it can also help to prevent facial tissue sinking and profile loss, which can occur with other artificial teeth.

Dental implants are most suitable for patients who have existing strong bone structures and teeth, and so may not be suitable for all patients. Consult your City of London dentist and see if they can replace your missing tooth with a dental implant and you may be able to smile again with confidence.

Dental bridges are artificial teeth that are anchored onto existing teeth in order to restore the natural appearance of a full set. They can be used to fill one or more empty spaces in the tooth line. The artificial tooth is known as the pontic and fused between two crowns which are attached to teeth either side of the gap, forming a bridge between them.

Dental bridges are needed to help restore a healthy looking smile and appearance, but can also have some other cosmetic advantages. They can help improve bite by preventing the existing teeth on either side of the gap leaning into the space, which alters the way the top and bottom teeth sit together. In a similar way they can also help prevent any changes in profile brought about by missing teeth. Dental bridges can also help prevent gum disease by stopping food and bacteria accumulating in the gap.

There is several types of dental bridge, but the most commonly used is the traditional fixed bridge, where the pontic (usually ceramic) is anchored to the neighbouring teeth. These bridges are fixed and cannot be removed. Resin-bonded bridges are when a false two is banded to the neigbouring teeth with metal strips secured with resin. Cantilevered dental bridges are only used when there is only a tooth on one side of the gap, so the bridge must be anchored to more than one tooth on that side

The procedure usually involves several visits to the dentist where he will assess what bridge is most suitable and make a mold of the teeth. On successive appointments a City of London dentist will construct the bridge. This may take more than one procedure, as crowns may need to set before being attached to the artificial tooth.

With the correct care a dental bridge can last up to seven years, and can help improve the condition of the teeth and gums around it. Good standards of oral hygiene and regular dental check ups will prolong its life and leave you with the smile you always wanted.