If you’re one of the millions of people in the UK that has a missing tooth or more, you could opt for dental implants in Essex to replace the missing teeth and give you a bright, confident smile again. There are many reasons why you may have a tooth or two missings, including decay, gum disease or an accident. Dental implants could be the long-term solution to fixing a problem that is more common than you think.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth – a crown or bridge – that is inserted into the gap and secured by way of a ‘post’ (a small screw). There are three parts to a dental implant:
- The post (screw) is made from titanium and placed in the jaw bone.
- The connector (abutment) secures the artificial tooth (crown or bridge) to the post.
- The ceramic artificial tooth (crown or bridge) acts as a replacement for the missing tooth and is placed on the connector (abutment).
These parts together replicate the look, feel and function of the original tooth so that you can continue to enjoy life and have confidence in your new smile.
What Is The Process For Dental Implants?
Over several visits with your dentist, they will assess your suitability for dental implants and if going ahead, will take CT scans of your jaw and mouth. This helps your dentist evaluate the bone level needed to insert implants. If there are any parts of your original tooth still in place, these will be removed so that the area is completely clear for your new artificial tooth.
In some cases, it may not be possible to insert a dental implant because there isn’t enough bone in which to secure the post.
It is a surgical procedure that is carried out under local anaesthetic and essentially feels like you are having a large filling put in place. The dentist drills into your jaw bone to insert the post and once this is firmly in place, you will need to wait between 2 and 6 months whilst your jaw bone fuses around the post. During this time, most dentists will add a temporary bridge or crown to protect the gap. They will also take images, or sometimes a cast, of your mouth to create your new, permanent crown or bridge.
When you return and as long as your jaw bone has healed and the implant is fully integrated, the temporary artificial tooth is removed your dentist will add the connector. The new, permanent bridge or crown is put in place on the connector.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth and when your mouth is looked after properly, such as regular brushing, flossing and dental check-ups, there’s no reason why they can’t last a lifetime. However, it must be remembered that your gums and bones can weaken as you get older, which may impact how long your dental implants last.
They are a way of replacing missing teeth that is secure, look and feel natural, and allow you to continue your life without having to worry about instability.
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