Teeth Implants

If the teeth being replaced by dental implants are in a clearly visible part of your mouth it is most likely that you will want to have some teeth present whilst the treatment is underway. There are a number of of temporary solutions available, ranging from simple plastic dentures to fixed temporary bridges….

Patients who have a habit of clenching or grinding (bruxing) their teeth may be at risk of overloading their dental implants. For most people bruxism occurs during sleep, which is why they are generally not aware of it. Heavily worn or flattened teeth, chipped enamel edges and/or regularly breaking pieces of heavily filled teeth are the most common clinical signs of bruxism….

If you are aware of bad breath, loose teeth, or have noticed excessive bleeding, particularly when your teeth are cleaned professionally, you may have gum problems. Periodontal (gum) disease is a major cause of bone loss and with reduced bone, dental implant treatment can be more complicated.
…

If you are missing just one natural tooth, then one dental implant is normally all that will be needed to provide a replacement. Larger spaces created by two, three or more missing teeth do not necessarily need one implant per tooth, however the exact number of implants will depend upon the quality and volume of bone at each potential dental implant site.
…

Thanks to new dental technology, losing your teeth doesn’t have to mean losing your confident smile. Dental implants are a natural looking, permanent solution that will look and feel just like your own teeth. Unfortunately, the only solution to lost teeth on offer at NHS dentists is to have dentures; but even well fitted dentures can cause problems such as clicking or slipping which can rob you of your confidence. Some foods such as crunchy apples or crusty bread can be tricky to eat and over time, as the mouth naturally changes, the denture can rub and cause gum soreness. There are no such issues with dental implants, which if looked after properly can last a lifetime – definitely something to consider if your teeth have been lost at a young age through health problems or an accident….

In the upper jaw, provided the implants stay within the bone that once supported your own teeth there are really no important risk areas. If you have missing upper back teeth then the shape and location of the maxillary sinus (the region above the roots) can be shown to you. In the lower jaw the most important anatomical structure to be avoided is the ‘inferior dental nerve’….

When multiple implants are placed, they are routinely joined together in the same way that a bridge supported by natural teeth would be designed. The bone quality and the number and position of the implants will largely determine which option is most suitable for you….