
Dental Implants – A Solution To Missing Teeth
Dental Implants – A Solution To Missing Teeth. Here at Together Dental, we are proud to offer a variety of dental treatments to help replace missing teeth. Our highly-skilled team provide dental implants, bridges and dentures, restoring your smile and boosting your confidence.
Missing teeth can be replaced in a variety of ways. You may be a candidate for any one or all of them, depending on the circumstances. Implants are becoming the treatment of choice for a number of reasons.
Most significant among these is the expected longevity, strength and stability offered by current implants treatments, as well as the predictability of implant treatment with current technologies.
Listed below are common treatments for missing teeth
The decision to replace missing or damaged teeth with dental implants can be life-changing. They can restore your smile, your confidence and your ability to enjoy the foods you love. We have placed thousands of implants, enabling patients with a wide range of dental needs to enjoy a new lease of life.
Advantages
- A Dental Implant is the closest replacement to a natural tooth.
- Dental implants reduce the load on the remaining oral structures/teeth by offering independent support and retention to crowns, bridgework and overdentures.
- Dental implants preserve natural tooth tissue by avoiding the need to cut down adjacent teeth for conventional bridgework.
- Dental implants will preserve bone and significantly reduce bone
- resorption and deterioration that results in loss of jawbone height.
- Dental implants have been shown to reduce the need for subsequent restorative intervention of adjacent teeth.
- Long-term data on implants suggest that implants last for a much longer time than conventional restorations on teeth.
- Loose fitting dentures can be replaced with improved support, stability and retention with implant overdentures.
- Overdentures will help control/improve facial contours that result in minimizing premature wrinkles.
- Implant overdentures may allow you to chew your food better and speak more clearly. Many studies have shown that overdentures contribute to improved chewing efficiency and speaking, compared to full dentures.
- Increased confidence and self-esteem, better ability to taste foods (Compared to a denture)
- Improved biting and chewing ability.
Disadvantages
- A surgical procedure for implant placement and a period of healing is necessary before the prosthesis may be completed.
- Dental implant procedures may entail an increase in cost compared to conventional dentistry.
- Mechanical fracture of fixtures, bridges, bridge attaching screws or abutment screws and loosening of screws can occur.
- Porcelain fracture of crowns and bridgework can occur.
- Dental Implants are not usually available under the NHS.
- Our highly trained team of implant surgeons will create a bespoke treatment plan to suit you, ensuring that you are fully informed and comfortable every step of the way.
Dentures
Dentures are prosthetic devices that are expertly created to replace missing teeth, and they are supported by the surrounding tissues of the oral cavity. If you have loose or ill-fitting dentures, your ability to eat and speak may be negatively affected. We now have the ability to affix your denture to your jaw with dental implants.
This treatment for ill-fitting dentures, known as ‘implant over dentures’ or ‘denture stablisation’, offers patients with dentures a more permanent solution, improving their quality of life significantly.
You will be able to enjoy your favourite foods again following denture treatment. You will also feel comfortable smiling, safe in the knowledge that your dentures are staying put.
Fixed Bridge
Teeth can be replaced with a fixed bridge if there are teeth in the area that are adequate in number and sufficiently healthy and strong to support the artificial teeth. In order to fabricate a bridge, the adjacent teeth are prepared by reducing their size to remove all the enamel, making room for the prosthetic tooth restoration.
The prosthetic tooth (or teeth) can be suspended between adjacent teeth in this way to provide a functional cosmetic replacement for the missing tooth. The limitation of this form of treatment has to do with the irreversible preparation of the adjacent (abutment) teeth for support. This exposes them to the risk of trauma to their nerves, raising the risk of requiring root canal treatment.
Long-term, fixed bridges between natural teeth have an average life expectancy of 10-12 years before required replacement. Replacement of fixed bridges often entails further treatment as the abutment or supporting teeth have been further compromised over time by advancing dental disease (such as cavities or periodontal bone loss).
Often, if harmful to your dental health, your dentist may not be able to provide you with bridge, NHS or privately in your best interests. This exposes them to the risk of trauma to their nerves, raising the risk of requiring root canal treatment. Long-term, fixed bridges between natural teeth have an average life expectancy of 10-12 years before requiring replacement.
Reasons for replacing a missing tooth (or teeth) vary and should be weighed against the risks of leaving the space, as well as resultant changes that may take place in the rest of your dentition.
Bone Loss
When teeth are removed from the jaw, the bone that supported the teeth tends to shrink over time. This process is called resorption and this is a natural consequence of the loss of stimulation to the bone from the forces placed on the teeth. Resorption of the alveolar bone (the bone that supports the teeth) begins almost as soon as the tooth is removed and proceeds over time. The bone will lose both height and width from resorption.
What are Teeth in A Day or All-On-4?
Full mouth dental implants are referred to teeth in day or All-on-4. With All-on-4 dental implants we are able to provide you with a fully functioning set of teeth ‘in a day’.
This solution is perfect for those patients with failing dentition who face wearing dentures. Four implants are placed on each arch and then a bridge is fixed to each. The entire procedure can be completed in a day using a temporary bridge until the permanent bridge is crafted.
Our patients love this procedure, you come into the practice with missing teeth and walk out with a brand-new smile – this procedure is simply life changing.
Our highly trained team of implant surgeons will create a bespoke treatment plan to suit you, ensuring that you are fully informed and comfortable every step of the way.
A great example of dental implants and same day teeth by our talented dentist Brad Hawkins, who works at both our Brentwood and Billericay dental practice. Find out more about our implant dentist Brad here.
How Does Teeth-In-A-Day Work?
Your dentist will prepare your mouth for the implants. This is normally done under local anaesthetic though you can opt for sedation. Four dental implants will be placed strategically angled for the best support for your new teeth.
Your temporary denture will be attached to the implants on-4®. You will leave the surgery with new fully functioning teeth. You will return to have your own specially designed denture attached.
The temporary denture will give you the closest thing to real teeth immediately – our surgeons have performed thousands of implants and we know how this permanent solution to missing teeth can really change our patients lives, allowing them to eat and smile with confidence, restoring the smile and function of the teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are advantages of All-on-4?
Your new dental implant will have the same function as natural teeth so you’ll never need to compromise when it comes to eating and drinking and smiling again. You’ll get great new confidence; The implants also help structure the face and prevent the jaw from shrinking – this helps shape the face and help you look younger.
Who is suitable?
If you are worried about loose dentures letting you down or want an alternative to dentures. If you have loose teeth or teeth falling out and you want rock solid permanent teeth again.
Are dental implants the best way to replace missing teeth?
Dental professionals widely agree that implants can achieve the most natural looking and long-lasting solution for missing or damaged teeth. Their durability, functionality and realistic appearance has led to growing demand as patients look beyond traditional dentures and bridges to a more effective solution for tooth loss.
Would dental implants work for me?
Dental implants are suitable for most adults, provided they have sufficient bone tissue.
What is the success rate for dental implants?
Dental implants have a success rate of over 97%. Contraindications for implants include:
– Periodontal gum disease
– Teeth grinding
– Heavy smoking
– Severe or poorly managed diabetes
– High alcohol intake
– Conditions that suppress the immune system
What can be done if I don’t have sufficient bone tissue to support implants?
Inadequate bone tissue may necessitate a surgical bone grafting procedure before implantation. Over time, bone in the area of missing teeth will naturally shrink and a bone graft may be required to ensure stability for the implant. During your consultation you will be advised whether a bone graft or a sinus lift procedure will be necessary in your case to ensure the stability of the implant. How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
The cost of implants varies from case to case, depending on how many teeth need to be replaced and whether you will need supplementary procedures, such as a bone graft. Our prices are competitive and transparent. A full breakdown of the cost of your treatment will be included in your treatment plan to ensure you are fully informed before proceeding. We offer interest free financing to help spread the cost of your dental implants.
Get in touch
Our experienced team have helped thousands of patients restore their smile. Dental Implants are simply the best way to replace a missing tooth.
We offer a range of flexible pay monthly plans, including a 0% finance option. You can call us today on 0333 032 9339 or click on the link here to make an online enquiry.