A Dental Implant is a dental science advance developed in the 1960s, and is still a popular and preferred method of permanently replacing teeth says a Leeds Central dentist. Many people cannot stand to have dentures, so they either suffer in silence or they can have a dental implant. The procedure is not complicated, but it isn’t quick either, it takes between 3-6 months to complete and is available to most people who have a strong jaw bone. It involves a Titanium plate being slid under the gum and screwed straight into the jaw bone. The Titanium reacts with the bone and produces new tissue that grows over it and integrates it into the jaw. In the plate are one or a series of pre-drilled and screwed holes. 3 to 6 months after this, the gum line is opened up again and posts are then screwed into the holes and glued to set them. Then the dentist will complete that operation and slide the newly designer made ceramic teeth into position. These too are glued on to seal them in place. Now you have a set of unique, better than the original, teeth. They require no more looking after than your original teeth, that’s just flossing, brushing and rinsing; they are not subject to interior infection and are easily replaceable if they become accidentally damaged. They really are a wonder of dental science and research, and definitely a good alternative to dentures for anyone who has problems with artificial teeth on a plate.
A dental implant is a restorative procedure aimed at restoring the cosmetic and functional appearance of a missing tooth or teeth. The implant itself is a small titanium screw (used because this is one the few metals suitable for use in the human body), which is secured directly into the jawbone. This is then left to fuse with the surrounding tissue in a process called osseointergration, which usually takes a number of weeks to a month. Once set firm, the implant is then used as a base for a post and artificial tooth or teeth.
If you have lost a tooth, either due to decay or as the result of an accident, you will be aware of the pain and anxiety it can cause. Missing teeth in the dental arc are very obvious and can really ruin the appearance of an otherwise perfect smile. There are also a number of medical reasons why missing teeth are a major problem. They encourage the movement of other teeth in the mouth that can cause bite interruptions. Teeth also act as support for facial tissue, so if one is missing it can cause a sagging, sunken appearance.
Having a tooth knocked out is not only unpleasant and painful at the time but can also cause many months of anxiety and further suffering, especially if it has ruined your cosmetic appearance. There are many health and dental health reasons to replace lost teeth as soon as possible but in many cases it is the appearance of the teeth that causes patients to worry the most.
Teeth can be missing for a number of reasons. They have either been knocked out as the result of some physical trauma or accident or perhaps they have just been lost to decay or other dental complication. Whatever the cause of missing teeth, it is very important, both aesthetically and for your health, to replace them as soon as possible.
Dental implants are the most realistic way to restore a missing tooth as they replace the whole tooth including the root. Unlike some other dental restorations like partial dentures and dental bridges, which although are more affordable, do not offer the same degree of anxiety-free results.
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.
There are many reasons why people loose teeth. It could be due to a dental trauma, possibly as the result of a sporting injury, through tooth decay or even just due to old age. Whatever the reason, missing teeth can have serious negative aesthetic and health related consequences.
