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Why choose dental implants?

Whether you've recently had an accident that's damaged a tooth, or you just want to see your smile looking truly fabulous, opting for dental implants could be a way of bringing those pearly whites back to life.

At Refresh Dental in Watford, we are pleased to offer our patients what is increasingly acknowledged to be the ‘gold standard’ in tooth replacement – the dental implant.

Whilst there is still a role for both dentures and dental bridges, dental implants are increasingly seen as the way forward, with many thousands of implant patients now benefitting from this exceptional procedure.

What are dental implants?

The actual ‘implant’ part of this procedure is a small screw like object that is made from titanium. This material is chosen as it bonds extremely well with the bone in the jaw which is critical for the success of the treatment.
Patients having a dental implant will have scans and x-rays taken of their jawbone to determine both the density of bone available and the precise placement for the new implant. Once this has been completed, a local anaesthetic will be given and a small hole is made in the jawbone ready to receive the implant.

Next, the implant is placed and allowed to bond with the bone of the jaw over a period of time, typically three or four months, in a process known as ‘osseointegration’. This leaves a strong and secure, albeit artificial tooth root in place. Once this process is complete, a dental crown is attached to the implant using an abutment and the missing tooth is successfully replaced.

What are the options for implant tooth replacement?

Single Tooth Replacement: Immediately (at the same time an implant is placed) or after a period of healing, an abutment is attached to the implant. This is a device that “abuts” or joins the implant to a tooth form called a crown, which replaces the tooth part you see in the mouth. It will hold a custom-made crown that the dental laboratory will fabricate and match to your existing teeth. The custom crown is cemented or screwed onto the abutment to permanently keep it in place. Once the crown is in place, it should be indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

Fixed Multiple Tooth Replacement: As with single tooth replacement, temporary healing caps or abutments may be placed on multiple implants until the healing phase is complete. After healing, permanent abutments are attached to the implants. They can attach to custom-made crowns or bridgework that a dental laboratory will fabricate to match your existing teeth. In the final step, the custom bridge, which will replace multiple teeth, is cemented or screwed onto the abutments. The teeth have been replaced without disturbing the healthy teeth next to them, and bone loss has been halted.

Removable Implant-Supported Tooth Replacement: If all your teeth are missing, 2-6 implants may be used to support a denture. A new denture clips onto the implants making it much more stable and comfortable. This will give you more confidence in wearing a denture and minimise future loss of your jaw bone.

Aftercare

Dental implants require no special aftercare, other than general brushing and flossing as with your natural teeth. Regular checks should also be maintained at Refresh Dental Care in Watford to monitor your overall oral health and to ensure that your implant is healthy too.

In brief, a few of the main benefits of dental implants are:

  • Extremely strong and secure
  • Don’t move around in the mouth
  • Don’t restrict your diet
  • Need no special aftercare other than cleaning
  • Can be used to replace individual teeth or multiple teeth
  • Look and feel natural
  • If you have a gap in your teeth or are unhappy with your current dentures, why not make an appointment at Refresh Dental Care in Watford to discuss dental implants? We’ll be pleased to show you all of the benefits of this revolutionary method for replacing missing teeth.

Useful Information - When having a dental Implant