Dental Implants
At The Dental Centre Bedford, we are pleased to offer our patients what is increasingly acknowledged to be the ‘gold standard’ in tooth replacement – the dental implant.
Whilst there is still a role for both dentures and dental bridges, dental implants are increasingly seen as the way forward, with many thousands of implant patients now benefitting from this exceptional procedure.
What are dental implants?
The actual ‘implant’ part of this procedure is a small screw like object that is made from titanium. This material is chosen as it bonds extremely well with the bone in the jaw which is critical for the success of the treatment.
Patients having a dental implant will have scans and x-rays taken of their jawbone to determine both the density of bone available and the precise placement for the new implant. Once this has been completed, a local anaesthetic will be given and a small hole is made in the jawbone ready to receive the implant.
Next, the implant is placed and allowed to bond with the bone of the jaw over a period of time, typically three or four months, in a process known as ‘osseointegration’. This leaves a strong and secure, albeit artificial tooth root in place. Once this process is complete, a dental crown is attached to the implant using an abutment and the missing tooth is successfully replaced.
Advantages of a dental implant
Whilst dentures and bridges offer authentic looking replacement teeth, they can feel insecure leading to concerns about their stability when eating and speaking. Dental implants, on the other hand, are extremely stable and offer no restrictions on what you can eat. They are a permanent solution lasting for twenty years or more with good dental care.
Single tooth replaced
Multiple teeth replaced
Full arch of teeth replaced
Dentures stabilised
Aftercare
Dental implants require no special aftercare, other than general brushing and flossing as with your natural teeth. Regular checks should also be maintained at The Dental Centre Bedford to monitor your overall oral health and to ensure that your implant is healthy too.
In brief, a few of the main benefits of dental implants are:
- Extremely strong and secure
- Don’t move around in the mouth
- Don’t restrict your diet
- Need no special aftercare other than cleaning
- Can be used to replace individual teeth or multiple teeth
- Look and feel natural
If you have a gap in your teeth or are unhappy with your current dentures, why not make an appointment at The Dental Centre Bedford to discuss dental implants? We’ll be pleased to show you all of the benefits of this revolutionary method for replacing missing teeth.
Please call us on 01234 819868