If you have lost a tooth or had to undergo a tooth extraction, then you need to speak to your dentist sooner rather than later and replace your missing teeth. Tooth loss has a significant impact on all aspects of your life. It can affect the health of your remaining teeth and cause further tooth loss. It can affect the appearance of your smile and the function of your mouth. Tooth loss can even affect your speech and cause a change in the structure of your face, making you look older than your actual age. The empty socket of the missing tooth can become irritated and cause bone decay and gum disease.
There are different treatments and procedures available for replacing your missing tooth; these include dentures, a bridge or dental implants Gordon. Although all three options have their own advantages, dental implants are a permanent fixed solution for replacing your missing teeth, and they have seen a surge in popularity over the last two decades. Depending on your dental health, requirements and personal preferences, your dentist will be able to decide whether dental implants may be more suitable than others.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are small titanium screws that replace the root of your missing tooth and provide a strong foundation for a replacement crown or a set of dentures, depending on the number of teeth that you are replacing. Titanium is strong, non-corrosive, biocompatible and hypoallergenic; these properties mean that the metal is ideal for dental implants. If your dentist is certain that dental implants are the right treatment for you, then you will undergo x-rays and a scan of your mouth, which will tell the dentist the length and width of the implant that you need to hold the crown in place.
Some patients suffer from bone decay if they have had a missing tooth for a long period, and in this case, it will be necessary to carry out bone grafting to make sure that the dental implant is successful. The process is a surgical procedure that is carried out under local anaesthesia and further sedation in the case of patients suffering from dental anxiety.
The procedure is relatively simple; your gum is split to expose the bone, and a small hole is drilled into the bone socket so that the implant can be directly inserted into your jaw. Then the gum may be stitched up to allow the healing process to begin. The healing process is a natural process known as osseointegration and takes approximately four months to allow the implant to become embedded firmly in place, where it will sit with good dental hygiene and regular visits to the dentist for the rest of your life. Speak to your dentist in Gordon today and find out more about dental implants and how you can replace one or more teeth or even an entire dental arch to restore the appearance, health and function of your mouth.
DISCLAIMER
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
