Posts tagged “dental implants”

People with Gaps in Their Smile in Central London can Find the Solution with Dental Implants

May 12th, 2012

Tooth loss can happen for a number of reasons to people in Central London, including injury, tooth decay, or as a part of aging. If a tooth is lost, it is important to have the gap filled in some way, or the effects could end up causing you further pain.

Effects of untreated tooth loss

Oral hygiene is much more difficult if a gap is left in your teeth and bacteria can build up in the space, leading to bad breath and infection. In addition, losing teeth can affect your speech function, as well as the ability to eat the foods you want, as you simply would not have the teeth to bite or chew. An even more serious consequence is bone loss. As your teeth sit in your mouth, the tissue surrounding them is regenerated as part of your body’s normal healing process. However, if you lose a tooth and leave a gap, the material – including the bone – around the gap will start to atrophy. In other words, the bone will start to disappear. This can change the shape of your jaw, and contribute to you looking more aged.

Dental implants

Thankfully, dental implants can help stop these problems. Dental implants are small metal rods, inserted into the jaw structure, which help to hold replacement teeth in place. The implants are made of titanium, which easily fuse with the bone structure in your jaw. Rather than a loss of bone, as would happen with a gap in teeth, an implant helps stimulate bone growth. In addition, implants can function just like your own teeth, allowing you to speak and eat as normal. They only require the same oral hygiene routine as your other teeth, and will allow you to have a natural looking and feeling smile.

How to use denture fixative and what City of London dentists can do if this just isn’t enough

January 3rd, 2012

People who have suffered gum disease, gingivitis or periodontal disease may be given dental treatment to prevent further infection, such as root canal treatment and replacement teeth, including dentures, dental implants or crowns.

Wearing dentures, whether part or full, as teeth replacements that slot onto your remaining teeth to support your teeth structure can sometimes bring certain challenges, particularly if the dentures slip.

Why use denture fixative?

Denture fixative can be used to secure the dentures to your own teeth, and for:

  • Giving you a sense of greater confidence when wearing dentures – not fearing that the denture may fall out or wobble when you speak.
  • Reducing denture movement when you eat or speak.
  • Preventing gum irritation and pressure if dentures do slip, particularly during physical games or sports.
  • Filling gaps where food may lodge and cause a build-up of dental plaque.

How is denture fixative used?

There are a range of denture fixatives available, from strips to powders and creams. You can use the following steps to apply denture fixative to secure your dentures and prevent them from moving around in your mouth:

  • Clean your own teeth and dentures using brushing with toothpaste and denture cleaning solution.
  • Then make sure you have dried your dentures.
  • Now apply small amounts of the denture fixative where it is needed – do not let it ooze out!
  • Rinse your mouth and insert your dentures, holding them down to adhere to the dental fixative.
  • Keep holding and allow the dentures to seal to the fixative for about seven to ten seconds.
  • Try not to eat or drink for about twenty minutes thereafter.
  • You can remove excess fixative by brushing it and your dentures with warm water.

What if denture fixative still doesn’t work?

If you’re still having challenges with movement of your dentures, even when you use dental fixative, speak with your dentist about solutions, such as dental implants. With dental implants, titanium “roots” permanently hold replacement teeth, like crowns, bridges and dentures in place, so that you don’t have to worry about feeling orally clumsy anymore!

City of London dentists take a look at some of the different kinds of dental implant

November 28th, 2011

When it comes to dental implants it is important to know what types of implants are available and which is best for you. So…

Root form dental implant:

This is used when there is a lot of breadth and deepness to the patient’s jawbone.  When having root form implants fitted you will receive anaesthetic and your dentist will then proceed to expose an area of the jawbone before preparing it for the insertion of the implant. Once the implant is inserted and fitted into the correct place, your gums will be stitched back together and left to heal, which usually takes about six months. Once the implant is fully healed and the implant has fused with the jawbone, the abutment will then be attached. However, if you have a narrow jawbone, or your jawbone is too thin for root form implants implant, you may require bone-grafting treatment.

Plate form Implant:

If your jawbone is too narrow for an implant and bone grafting, then a plate form implant can be used instead. This implant is both smooth and long, which makes it a better shape to fit into a slender jawbone. The procedure is the same as the root form dental implant and will usually take around three to six months to heal. However, in some cases restorations can be fitted straightaway, but this will be the choice of your dentist.

Immediate Load Dental Implant:

This implant is immediately placed after the extraction of a tooth and the crown will be immediately attached to the abutment. In order to qualify for this procedure you must have a significant amount of bone in order to stabilise the implant. When having this type of implant there are two different procedures: the first requires an impression made of your jawbone after it has been exposed, which is then used to make a bespoke fitted implant for your jaw. The implant is then fitted into place on the exposed jawbone, before being stitched after the installation of the teeth. The other alternative is to have a CAT scan instead of an impression of your jaw in order to build the implant.

Dental Implants to Recover Your Smile at Your City of London Dentist

October 7th, 2011

Dental implants are a way of replacing missing teeth. There are a number of ways and methods in which implants can be fitted and they can vary from patient to patient. This article looks at root-form implants and plate-form implants.

Root-form Implants

Sometimes referred to as root-form endosseous implants, these tooth implants are connected to the bone of your jaw. It is then possible for singular or multiple implants to be installed. The Root-form process is a common method of implants and can be in two forms – screw or cylinder. These implants work through a small screw or cylinder that is inserted into the gum and then fuses with the jaw bone during the healing process. Once healed there is a fixture is attached that will connect the new teeth. One of the first procedures will be to make incisions into the area of the gums that are receiving the treatment.

During this time the dentist will insert the implant device then stitch the area shut. This healing process can take up to 6 months and during which the implant will begin to fuse to the jawbone. When you return your dentist will check the screw or cylinder has attached itself to the bone by opening the previous wounds, once they are satisfied they will proceed to attach a fixture that will allow the replacement teeth to be attached. Root-form Implants are very common but they rely on the jawbone being dense enough to hold the implant. If your dentist feels the jawbone is too narrow they can offer and alternative treatment.

Plate-form Implants

The plate-form implants are initially intended for patients whose jawbone may be too narrow for a root-form implant. These are flat and long plates that can be attached to the bone of the jaw. The installation and treatment process is very similar way to the process of root-form implants.

Your London dentist asks, is your smile ready for dating?

September 19th, 2011

Most people will freely admit that they spend hours getting ready for a date; choosing an outfit, doing your hair, thinking about what you’re going to say when you first meet your date all takes time but have you ever stopped to think about preparing your smile for a date? According to well-known dating website, E-Harmony, an attractive smile is the feature people most commonly look for when they are browsing through other people’s profiles.

In recent years, people have spent more money on their smile than ever before. The range of oral hygiene products has increased enormously and cosmetic dental treatments have become incredibly popular. The Hollywood smile was quickly established as a fashion trend once the A-listers started to parade perfect sets of pearly whites and dentists saw an influx of people having treatments such as veneers, invisible braces and whitening treatments.

Smile your way to success

How many people have looked at photos and criticised their smile, saying their teeth are too big, too small, not white enough, not even enough? If you thought you looked too pale, you would consider fake tanning. If you thought your nails looked a bit tired, you’d have a manicure and more and more people are highlighting the imperfections in their smile and visiting their dentist to do something about it.

It may seem simplistic to suggest that a great looking smile could help you to find the one or be more successful on the dating scene but figures suggest that most people value their smile as their most important feature and investing in your smile could actually make a huge difference to your confidence, as well as your overall appearance. If you are filled with confidence, as well as having a beautiful smile, the chances are that you will be very appealing to potential partners and you will feel more comfortable and confident when it comes to getting ready for dates.

As studies and polls have shown, most people regard their smile as a very important physical feature; as a result of this, you could spend all the time in the world in front of the mirror and you could have the most beautiful outfit and you may still be unhappy with your appearance because you have crooked, stained or crowded teeth.

Getting the smile of your dreams

Dental treatment is now more advanced and available than ever before; there is a treatment to fix almost any problem and enhance the aesthetic of your smile, such as dental veneers. It may seem like a drastic way to prepare for a date but think how much money you will save in the long-run when you don’t have to buy endless amounts of dresses and pairs of shoes that you will probably not even wear to compensate for your slightly imperfect smile; plus, you may just find the one and the dating search will be over.

Available treatments for missing teeth

August 3rd, 2011

A lost tooth, either through trauma or poor oral hygiene is something no one wants, but if the worst should happen just what sort of care and treatment is available and where from?

Cosmetic dentistry has the answer and the most popular treatments a cosmetic dentist will use are dental implants and bridges.

Dental Implants

Arguably the better of the two choices, dental implants are anchored into the gum, rather than using nearby teeth, which makes them the only real choice if the patient has a number of missing teeth all next to each other.

The actual implant is the anchor and takes the role of the root of a tooth. The implant is put into a socket by the dentist, who will drill a hole while you are under anaesthetic and then fix the implant into the jawbone. This artificial root is then used to anchor the crown in place. The implant is made of titanium, an ideal choice as the material is easily accepted by the bone and as such is less likely to be rejected by the body.

Dental implants can’t be used on everybody however, and before any treatment is planned the dentist will have to assess the health of the patient. If there are any oral health issues, such as gum disease, these problems must be taken care of first and an x ray will also be needed to assess whether the patient has bone structure of the correct quality and quantity.

Dental Bridges

The second choice is dental bridges. Dental bridges are held in place by anchoring the fake tooth between two neighbouring teeth, in order the use the two other teeth a small amount of dental enamel is taken away in order to create a place for the bridge to sit.

The process is done over two appointments. On the first the patient is given a local anaesthetic and the enamel of the other tooth is chipped away to make room for the artificial crown that will be used to hold the bridge in place. A temporary bridge is also fitted after the dentist takes a mould of the teeth to be sent to the lab to make the permanent bridge.

At the second appointment the permanent bridge is fitted and any slight changes to the fit and bite are made before cementing it into place.

What brand of dental implant is your dentist using?

June 6th, 2011

Dental implants are one of the success stories of modern dentistry. They have fast become the most popular and effective means of replacing teeth that have been lost or damaged.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are fine titanium rods, which are fixed into pre-drilled sockets along the jaw bone – the aim of the implant is to replace the root portion of the missing tooth. Once the implant has been fixed into the socket, it takes time to settle and, when fully settled in the jawbone, it can then be attached to a crown, dental bridge or a set of dentures. Individual implants are usually attached to crowns, while a number of implants are used to support a set of dentures. Once the restoration is attached to the implant, the tooth will function in exactly the same way as a natural tooth and will also look the same as a natural tooth.

Why are dental implants so popular?

Dental implants are more popular than dentures and dental bridges as a long-term replacement for missing teeth, as they have better functionality and create a more pleasing aesthetic. Implants also settle into the jaw well and do not cause any damage to the healthy surrounding gum tissue. Implant-supported dentures provide much better anchorage than traditional dentures. There is little chance of them coming loose, they won’t affect your speech and you won’t have to give up your favourite foods.

Dental implant manufacturers

There are many different brands of dental implants, a majority of which concentrate solely on one product or area of dentistry, while others manufacture a range of products and equipment. Different dental implant brands may produce different types of implant, which involve different techniques and methods. As a result of this, dentists and implant specialists may prefer certain brands and they may only use one specific type of implant. Professionals will usually use the implant or brand that they find most effective and reliable.

Dental implants placed by dentists in the know!

May 9th, 2011

Dental implants have fast become a revelation of modern dentistry. In the past, if you lost a tooth or had a tooth extracted, you either lived with a gap or had a bridge or dentures fitted; however, now, with dental implants, you can replace your missing tooth with a completely natural looking new tooth, which works in exactly the same way as an original tooth.

Dental implants are the most effective long-term treatment for missing or damaged teeth; the implant is a fine titanium rod, which is fitted into a pre-drilled socket in the jaw bone. Once the implant is settled into the jaw, a new crown is fitted to the implant and the new smile is complete.

Dental implants have a range of benefits; they look completely natural, they function as effectively as natural teeth and they reduce bone loss. The implant is made of titanium, meaning that it settles into the bone tissue without having any adverse effects on the healthy surrounding tissue.

As well as being attached to crowns, dental implants can also be used ti support dental bridges and dentures. Many people think of bulky false teeth when they hear the words dentures, but dentures have come a long way and they are now much lighter, more comfortable and more realistic looking. Dentures that are anchored by dental implants improve function and prevent pain and discomfort caused by ill-fitting dentures; you can also rest assured that your dentures will never come loose and you can continue to eat whatever you want.

Looking for a London dentist? City of London dentists are here to help.

Dental implants are expensive, but they are a long-term solution to missing teeth and they can make a huge difference; gaps in the teeth can create problems with speech and may affect your ability to eat and many people with missing teeth also feel self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth when they smile.

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