If you have missing teeth, your dentist Richmond might offer you crowns, bridges or dentures as solutions for replacing one or more of your teeth. However, checking with your dentist to see whether they offer dental implants could be a game changer for you. Dental implants offer convenience, comfort and discretion as nobody else should realise that you don’t have all of your natural teeth, and your replacement teeth shouldn’t loosen and give the game away!
What are dental implants?
Dental implants consist of metal screws that can be attached to the jawbone where you have your missing teeth. These implants become fused to the jawbone as the body’s tissues heal around them. Once they have completed this process, the permanent replacement teeth will be attached and shouldn’t move an inch! In the meantime, dentists will provide temporary replacement teeth whilst waiting for the healing to complete. Replacement teeth are still crowns, bridges or dentures, but dental implants allow them to be fitted without the need to remove them at bedtime.
Why do patients choose dental implants?
Do you remember your Granny’s teeth clacking as she talked, or can you remember that time you peeked in the pot where her dentures lay soaking? While this might be the stuff memories are made of, dental implants offer discretion for patients, away from the prying eyes of young and inquisitive grandchildren and anyone else for that matter!
Dental implants can give patients the confidence to continue talking as they will be confident that their teeth won’t loosen. Similarly, eating doesn’t have to be about guesswork and establishing what could dislodge replacement teeth. With dental implants, teeth should remain in place at all times, no matter what is consumed, enabling life to carry on as normal for patients. Afterwards, simply brushing, flossing and going to the dentist for routine checkups is all that should be required to take care of the implants; it couldn’t be easier! And the fact that dental implants are fitted using local anaesthesia means that the procedure doesn’t involve major surgery and is, therefore, more appealing to those considering it.
And remember, replacing missing teeth is really important for protecting any remaining teeth that you have as well as your gums. Leaving teeth and gums more exposed to bacteria can lead to further dental issues, so filling in the gaps is a sensible way to prevent further treatment from being required.
Can anybody have dental implants?
As a rule of thumb, dental implants can be considered for anyone with one or more missing teeth. A dentist will need to examine your mouth thoroughly to see whether this is the right treatment for you. Sometimes, for example, patients do not have enough bone density in their jawbones. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t be a suitable treatment. Bone grafts could be offered beforehand to prepare the jawbone for dental implants.
So, if you’re keen to find out whether dental implants could be for you, book a consultation with a dentist who offers this treatment and start the ball rolling today – your smile will thank you for it.