Tooth replacement with our dentist in Clapham
Missing teeth can be replaced in different ways depending on your unique dental requirements as well as your personal preferences. One of the easiest and simplest ways of replacing missing teeth is with removable dentures. Removable dentures have been used for many decades and are a popular choice among the elderly population who do not want to undergo extensive dental treatment to replace their missing teeth. Removable dentures can be partial or full, and are designed to restore the shape and appearance of your mouth, as well as some of the functions of your mouth. Another popular method of replacing missing teeth, which was the gold standard until recently, is with a dental bridge. A bridge is a fixed method of replacing a missing tooth that works by joining a replacement crown definitively to adjacent healthy teeth.
Both dentures and bridges have their advantages and disadvantages, however, in recent decades they have become less popular due to the firm establishment of dental implants as the gold standard of tooth replacement. You need to speak to our dentist in Clapham and find out about dental implants for replacing your missing teeth. Although nothing will ever be as good as the real thing, dental implants come very close and they are the favourite option with our dentist in Clapham.
Dental implants
A dental implant is a small, but very strong, titanium screw that is placed directly into the bone socket of a missing tooth to act as a replacement tooth root. Once in place, titanium dental implants initiate a process known as osseointegration, which is a natural healing process. This means that osteoblasts form around the implant, holding the implant firmly and securely in place for the foreseeable future.
The process itself is quite lengthy, requiring approximately 4 to 6 months which is why it is often avoided by elderly patients, but is definitely the preferred option with younger patients, as once in place, the implant should be held there for the rest of your life. A custom-made crown or set of dentures which matches the shape and colour of your teeth is then fitted to the top of the implant. You will have a fixed solution for your missing tooth or teeth that will restore the appearance of your smile and the function of your mouth, so that you can forget that you ever lost a tooth in the first place.
Looking after your dental implants
Once you have dental implants, it is very important that you look after your teeth carefully, and that you visit the dentist at least once every six months and more often if necessary. This will help maintain the life of your dental implant. The crown or dentures may need replacing after every 5 to 10 years, however the implant should stay fixed in place. As the implant strengthens your jaw, it will benefit your remaining teeth and your mouth should feel as it did before you ever lost a tooth. Dental implants are suitable for patients of all ages so speak to our dentist in Clapham today to find out more.