A Leeds dentist has spoken out on the values and advantages of a Dental Implant. They were only developed in the 1960s, but they were an almost instant hit and still are today. The advances these days are so good that the cost and the time involved has been drastically reduced. The biggest asset about them is that once they are in, they need little or no maintenance other than the usual oral hygiene regime of cleaning them affectively. They are for all intents and purposes a fixed artificial tooth or set of teeth, they can be put in as one tooth or as a whole row, and they are better than the original teeth they are replacing. First a plate is inserted under the gum and screwed down to the jaw bone. This is then left to heal and for the bone to grow over the plate, which will have some pre drilled and screwed holes in it. Then posts are screwed into the holes and fixed with a cement to hold them. Once that is finished the ceramic tooth, which is designed from digital pictures of the mouth, is placed onto the post and pushed down into position. The whole process takes around 3-6 months, but once done it is then like having a whole new set of teeth to play with, any damaged ones can be easily replaced in a few weeks. The plates and posts are made from Titanium and they integrate very well with the jaw bone, the ceramic tooth itself looks and acts just like the real thing.
Posts Tagged ‘dental implants’
Dental Implants are all the rage. A Leeds dentist explains why
Thursday, June 24th, 2010The incredible benefits of multiple dental implants from Leeds dentist
Sunday, June 6th, 2010
Losing one, some or all of your teeth can be a very traumatic experience. Whether it is due to disease, dental decay or just as the result of an accident, the toothless smile is never a good look for anyone of any age. There are also a number of health reasons besides the aesthetic that mean that missing teeth are bad.
Even one missing tooth can cause further problems to occur with the other teeth. This is because the hollow left by teeth can act as a breeding ground for decay-causing bacteria which will attack the other teeth. The other remaining teeth will also be encouraged to move about in the mouth causing bite interruptions and sagging of facial tissue.
Luckily, there are a number of options available to replace missing teeth. Dental bridges and partial dentures are good for replacing one or two missing teeth and, of course, full dentures restore the appearance of a full set. But perhaps the most effective dental substitute is the dental implant. This is a small metal screw that is placed firmly into the jawbone to act as a base for the new dental crown. Implants can be used on their own to replace single of up to three missing teeth but they can also be used in larger numbers to act as a base for a full set of dentures.
These so-called mini-implants act as a stable clip to which you can attach your dentures so they are set firm in the mouth when you need them to be, but can also be removed at night or for cleaning purposes. Mini-implants or multiple implants remove the need for any messy or complicated denture adhesives and make it easier to eat the foods you want to eat. For more information about the possibilities of dental implants, make an appointment to see a Leeds dentist who can assess if you are a suitable candidate.
Lifelong dental implants from Leeds dentist
Saturday, May 29th, 2010
Teeth can be lost for a number of reasons. However, some of the most common are due to decay, gum disease or as the result of an accident such as a sporting injury or road accident. When the tooth is lost it can have a severe impact on both the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and the health of the mouth and face.
Missing teeth can cause the other teeth in the dental arc to lean and rotate because they are no longer braced on both sides. This will cause the teeth to look more unattractive and also cause problems with bite. Missing teeth often lead to higher numbers of bacteria in the mouth because the hollows left by teeth act as breeding grounds for more plaque. This is because the softer gum tissue is harder to clean with a toothbrush.
However, there are a number of treatment options available to patients at Leeds dentists to replace the missing teeth with a substitute. This could be in the form of a dental bridge or partial denture. But perhaps the most realistic and authentic replacement comes in the shape of a dental implant. This is a small titanium screw that the dentist will place into the jawbone as a replacement for the tooth root. The dental implant is the only dental restoration that aims to restore the whole of the tooth from top to bottom. It is this that gives the implant its incredible reputation for stability.
Once the implant is placed in the jaw, providing the patient’s jaw is in a suitable condition to accept the implant, it will need several weeks to fuse with the surrounding tissue before it can be used as a base for the dental crown that forms the remaining part of the restoration. Unlike some other substitutes, the dental implant does not limit what you can and can’t eat and will last a lifetime if properly cared for.
Leeds dentist can answer your questions about dental implants
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are small titanium screws that are anchored directly into the jawbone to act as a base for an artificial tooth. There is also a smaller variety called a mini-implant that is used in groups of five to act as a secure base for dentures.
Why might I need dental implants?
If you have suffered a lost tooth either due to decay or disease or simply as the result of a dental trauma or accident, a dental implant could help to restore the natural appearance of your teeth and prevent a whole series of other dental complications. Missing teeth can be responsible for many further problems such as rotated teeth and bite issues, as well as acting as a breeding ground for bacteria, which could cause further tooth loss. Dental implants could also help to restore the structure and appearance of facial tissue that may have been lost due to missing teeth. You can also have mini-implants to help alleviate the anxiety of loose dentures.
What does the procedure involve?
The Leeds dentist will drill down into the jawbone, providing it is in a healthy enough condition to support the implant. The implant will then be screwed directly into the bone tissue. It will then need to be left for several weeks to fuse with the bone and surrounding tissue. The whole process will take place under anaesthetic and should involve little more than a mild discomfort.
What advantages do dental implants have over other dental replacements?
The dental implant is the only artificial substitute that replaces the whole of the tooth from top to bottom. The implant itself acts as the tooth root and then a post and artificial tooth are attached to it; this gives a very sturdy and natural feel to a dental implant. They also last a whole lifetime if properly fitted without the need to be replaced at any point. This can be an issue with other structures such as dental bridges and partial dentures.
Dental implant Q and A from city of Leeds dentist
Friday, March 5th, 2010
Dental implants are an innovative and revolutionary way of restoring lost or missing teeth. They closely resemble real teeth, both in feel and appearance and better yet, they are permanent. Here are a few commonly asked questions about dental implants.
What are dental implants?
They are artificial replacement teeth that are anchored directly into the jawbone to look and feel like real teeth. They are custom made to fit your mouth and are the most solid form of dental restoration. They can help you to eat and speak more easily and restore the cosmetic appearance of your smile.
What does the procedure involve?
A small titanium screw is drilled directly into the jaw and left to fuse with the bone and gum tissue over several weeks. This then acts as an anchor for an artificial dental crown, which will be attached during a subsequent appointment. The procedure is relatively painless, especially when you consider the possible benefits of the implant.
Why are they better than traditional restorations?
Although dentures and dental bridges have their place, nothing can compare the solid nature of a dental implant. Because they are the only restoration to be anchored directly to the jawbone they feel more like a real tooth than any other dental substitute.
Am I a candidate for a dental implant?
If you have missing teeth and your jaw and gums are in relatively good condition you may well be a candidate for a dental implant. Make an appointment with a City of Leeds dentist to see if you are a suitable candidate for a dental implant.
How long do they last?
A dental implant can last you for the rest of your life.
Dental implant from City of Leeds dentist looks and feels like real tooth
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
One of the main problems patients have experienced with dental replacements over the years is that they never quite look or feel like real teeth. Dental bridges and partial dentures serve a purpose in restoring to some degree the appearance of missing teeth and enable the patient to eat slightly easier, whilst protecting the position of the remaining teeth. But they never quite feel natural. This is mostly because they only replace the part of the tooth visible above the gum. A real tooth has a root that is anchored deep into the bone and gum tissue of the face. This is what makes a tooth sturdy and gives it its strength.
One dental replacement however, replaces the whole tooth including the root and offers an incredibly lifelike replacement. Dental implants are small metal screws, usually titanium, which are anchored into the jawbone itself to act as a base. The surgery is quite straight forward and once complete will require several weeks rest in order to allow the implants and bone to fuse together. Once this has happened the implant has essentially become part of the bone and plays exactly the same role as the missing root.
Onto the implant is attached a post and finally a porcelain crown which is designed to look exactly the same size, shape and colour as the lost tooth. Because there is not need to attach anything else to the tooth once it is screwed to the post from underneath it will look incredibly lifelike. Dental implants from City of Leeds dentists last a lifetime and do not need replacing like many other dental substitutes.
Experience benefits of dental implants at City of Leeds dentist
Thursday, December 31st, 2009
Nobody wants to lose teeth, either due to decay or because of an accident, but the likelihood of losing at least one tooth is something that nearly half of us will face at some stage in our lives. Missing teeth can look unpleasant and particularly in younger patients cause a loss of confidence and self esteem. There are also several very important medical reasons why it is important to replace missing teeth.
Missing teeth can cause teeth to move in the dental arc, interrupting bite and causing painful jaw conditions. It is also very bad for the other teeth as they are exposed to more plaque and bacteria. More and more teeth are now being artificially replaced with a procedure called a dental implant. Implants are small titanium screws fixed directly into the jawbone to act as a solid base for an artificial tooth.
Dental implants have several key advantages over other forms of dental restoration. Firstly, because they replace the root of the tooth as well as the crown they are much more stable than dental bridges or partial dentures. This means that patients are able to eat whatever foods they want without the anxiety of breaking any part of the restoration.
Implants also look and feel a lot more realistic as they replace more of the original tooth preventing further bone loss and gum recession. A well-fitted dental implant will also last a lifetime compared tot the ten to fifteen year average of a bridge or denture. For these reasons and many others, dental implants are the number one choice of dental restoration at City of Leeds dentists.
Anxiety-free dentures with mini-implants from Central Leeds dentist
Monday, December 14th, 2009
For patients who are denture wearers, the fear of your dentures falling out at inopportune moments can be a real source of worry and anxiety. Many denture wearers resort to wearing sticky and messy dental adhesive strips and gels for that added feeling of security. There is an alternative that can put your mind at rest and involves no unnecessary fuss or adhesives. Mini-dental implants are a series of small screws anchored into the jawbone to which dentures can be snapped on and off.
Like normal dental implants, the screws are usually made from titanium or other strong metal non-harmful to the human body. They are drilled into place in the jawbone before being left for several weeks to allow the bone and tissue to fuse to the screws in a process called osseointergration. The implants will have a set of clips attached to them, which will be used to fasten them to the dentures. Small wells and clips will be fitted to the dentures so that they can clip on securely to the implants. These wells can be fitted to your existing set of dentures to reduce cost. The dentures can then be simply clipped on and off to the implants safely and securely and with no limits on what you can eat. For the first time ever dentures will actually feel like real teeth.
Unlike the larger normal implants, there are few factors that limit the fitting of mini-implants. For example, it is not necessary to have a very strong jawbone for mini-implants, which is essential for the full sized variety. This means that mini-implants are perfectly suited to older patients.
If you are always worrying about your loose dentures and you want a life free of the anxiety, make an appointment to see a Central Leeds dentist and ask about the benefits of mini-implants.
Central Leeds dentist replaces tooth with dental implant
Saturday, October 24th, 2009
We all want a beautiful smile full of shiny white, straight teeth. It can make you feel confident and comfortable with your appearance. Similarly, a flawed smile can be the source of great embarrassment and self-confidence issues. This is never more true than for patients with missing teeth. A missing tooth, whether cause by sporting injury or tooth decay, carries with it a certain stigma that most of us would probably wish to avoid.
There are also physiological reasons why a missing tooth can be a problem. When a tooth is missing form the tooth line it can cause all the other teeth to lean into the space. This can cause interruptions with bite that can be irritating and even lead to painful conditions called TMJs. Teeth also act as rigid supports for facial muscles and if missing can cause the facial muscles to sag giving a sunken appearance that causes patients to look much older. However, there are several artificial dental substitutes which can be used to replace a missing tooth.
The most realistic and sturdy of all of these is called a dental implant. Although a slightly more complex procedure than a partial denture or a dental bridge, an implant provides the most realistic alternative to a natural tooth. A dental implant is a small cylindrical screw that is anchored directly into the jawbone. A post is then attached to this and then finally a dental crown. Because the implant is anchored to the bone it is very solid and provides a level of stability only beaten by a real tooth. This means that patients have an added feeling of security over the more fragile dentures and bridges. It also means patients are not prohibited from eating certain foods they might be with other dental substitutes.
After the screw has been implanted it will need to be left for several weeks to allow the bones and gums to fuse with the implant in a process called osseointergration. This requires the jawbone to be in a good condition and means that certain patients may not be suitable for dental implants.
If you are suffering form lost confidence due to a missing tooth, or feel that your existing teeth may be affected, consult a Central Leeds dentist and ask about dental implants.
Dental implant from Central Leeds dentist replaces missing tooth
Thursday, October 1st, 2009
Missing teeth can not only be a source of embarrassment, but they can have significant adverse effects on remaining teeth and facial structure. The gap left by a missing tooth can be a breeding ground for bacteria if not effectively cleaned, which can be difficult with conventional brushes. Existing teeth will also naturally lean into spaces in the tooth line. This can cause sagging of the facial muscles, giving a sunken appearance, and can also affect bite and profile. It is a good idea to consult your dentist and have the missing tooth replaced as soon as possible.
One of the options to replace a missing tooth, besides a dental bridge, is a dental implant. Although this is a more complex procedure, it does provide a more secure, long-lasting and realistic alternative to a real tooth. For this reason, dental implants are becoming more and more popular with dentists and patients alike.
Dental implants take the form of a cylindrical screw that is anchored into the jawbone, which acts as a stable base to attach a veneer, or artificial tooth. They are particularly suitable for patients with strong and healthy gums and bones, and whose existing teeth are in a good condition. The screw will usually be made form titanium, which is a very light but very strong material which has no harmful affects associated with it. Because the screw is anchored into the actual jaw, and not secured to existing teeth, it has a greater degree of stability which means there is no need for more fragile bonding or adhesives. It also means that certain foods not suitable to eat with other dental prosthetics can be eaten without any fuss.
The procedure will usually involve two or more visits to the dentist. During the first visit, the screw implant will be fixed into the jaw. This will then need to be left to heal and fuse with the jawbone in a process called osseointergartion. On subsequent visits the dentist will attach a post and finally the artificial tooth.
Visit a Central Leeds dentist to see if a dental implant can be suitable to replace your missing tooth and you can restore your smile and protect your remaining teeth with one procedure.