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.
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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.