There is no need to suffer from the loss of a tooth or teeth; let dental implants Windsor restore that broad smile! Teeth are lost for a variety of reasons; sometimes due to an accident or tooth decay. But the 21st century has seen amazing advances in dental science and technology. The traditional bridge or dentures have been surpassed by dental implants.
Lost teeth prolific in the UK
It’s a frightening statistic that as much as six per cent of the UK population have no teeth at all. Dentists promote preventive dentistry to help patients retain their natural teeth by educating patients on the correct way to brush and floss teeth. Encouraging parents to introduce their children as young as possible to the dental surgery is one of the ways dentists are helping to combat tooth decay. Introducing children at an early age allows them to get used to the sights, sounds and smells of the dental surgery and reduces dental anxiety at a later age.
A safe and clinically proven procedure
Invented over fifty years ago, dental implants have enjoyed the benefit of ever-improving technology. Patients are now deriving the benefits of all those years of research and development. The added advantage of a dental implant is that by placing an implant, the normal bone degradation as a result of a lost tooth is regenerated by the bone and tissue regrowth around the titanium implant. This will also help with the aesthetics of the face, preventing a “sunken” look.
How does it work
The dental surgeon will make a small incision in the gum where the original tooth was located. A small hole is then drilled into the jawbone, and a titanium screw is inserted into the hole; this acts as the root, just like the original tooth. There will be a healing period, during which the titanium post fuses with the jaw bone and surrounding tissue; this will create a safe and secure base for the new tooth.
During the next appointment, an abutment, which is a connecting element, enables the crown to be firmly and securely attached to the titanium post. A crown will have been made that is designed to match existing teeth both in shape and colour. This crown is then fitted securely to the abutment. It will be necessary to be careful and only use a sterile mouthwash for the first week after the crown has been fitted. The new tooth will blend in with all the natural teeth. A follow-up appointment is routinely carried out after a further two weeks, at which stage the dentist will advise on dental maintenance of all the teeth, including the dental implant.
Aftercare
Care and maintenance are just the same as with your normal teeth, and the dentist will normally recommend the type of brush you should be using to maintain your teeth and gums. Normal eating and drinking is possible and should bring a broad, confident smile to any patient who previously had to endure a missing tooth, especially in the front of their mouth.
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