Mini dental implants are a smaller version of the hugely popular dental implant treatment; they are often suitable for patients who cannot tolerate full implants and also provide an excellent option for patients with dentures.
Mini implants work in the same way as dental implants, but they are smaller and therefore easier to tolerate. In some cases, patients are advised against having full implants, but often they are suitable candidates for mini implants; this is often the case when there is a lack of bone density in the jaw bone.
What are the advantages of mini implants?
Mini implants offer the same benefits of traditional implants in that they provide great, natural looking aesthetics, they offer durability and they are extremely functional, but the procedure is less invasive and results can be enjoyed faster.
Mini implants are often an ideal choice for patients who have dentures, as the implants can be attached to the denture to offer greater stability and improved function. Rather than being held in place purely by the suction power of the gums, the denture is supported by the implants and this means that there is absolutely no risk of it slipping or sliding. With implants there to stabilise the denture, you can also enjoy more power when you eat and no foods are off limits.
If you’ve had trouble with dentures in the past or you are looking for a long-term, effective solution for missing teeth, call us today to find out more about mini implants.
Given that periodontal disease can, in extreme cases, result in the loss of teeth, dentists agree that it is best to avoid it rather than to deal with the consequences. Periodontal disease is disease of the gums and it has a set of easy to understand causes and, as such, measures that we can all take to prevent it in the first place.
Under normal circumstances the roots and ligaments which hold your primary or baby teeth in place will dissolve and allow your adult teeth to come through and replace them. Sometimes they don’t dissolve properly and end up fused with your jaw bone. This condition is called ankylosis and should be treated as soon as it is diagnosed.
Each of our teeth is secured firmly to the jaw bone by one or more roots which contain a mass of blood vessels and nerves otherwise called the pulp. A root canal treatment is done when this pulp gets infected by microorganisms; this can happen when there is sudden trauma or injury to the tooth or due to tooth decay or cavity which is left untreated. Sometimes the pulp also gets infected when the tooth filling has cracked or fallen off due to wear and tear.
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.
You might have heard about dental implants as a replacement for missing teeth but you may not have heard about the many advantages they offer over other types of treatment.
What is a dental implant?
What is a dental implant and how can I benefit from one? That is a question that a dentist in Leeds is asked a lot. He explains it as an artificial tooth that has all the qualities of a natural one, but with some vast improvements that are unique to the patient. The sort of teeth he usually replaces with implants are either damaged beyond repair, discoloured or misshapen teeth. It is ideal for a patient who requires an individual or a few separate teeth replaced. The procedure is quite simple too; first X-rays are taken to ascertain the strength of the jaw bone below or above the rogue tooth. Then a tooth is made to fit perfectly into the gap left by the removal of the damaged tooth. A drilled hole is made in the jaw and a base is placed in the hole. This has a pre-prepared screwed insert running up the centre, into this is screwed and glued the new tooth, how easy is that? It not only provides the patient with better eating habits, it has a tendency to also give them back some confidence they might have lost through the rogue tooth. An improved and confident smile is one of the first benefits; it also alleviates the need to replace a whole row of teeth for the sake of a few bad ones. False teeth are O.K. in most cases and patients adapt to them really well, but implants are the definitive answer in a lot of cases that in the past would have resulted in more expensive, and long term treatment. Chewing has also been reported by patients to have been drastically improved in many cases, and that in itself is a healthy improvement against decay and gum disease.
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.
