Over the last few years Surrey dentists have noticed a surge in demand for dental implants. This is because dental implants are becoming more widely known as the most solid and realistic form of dental replacement and one that can last a lifetime without the need for constant repair and replacement, unlike some other dental substitutions. But just what is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small titanium screw that is drilled directly into your jawbone to act as a base for an artificial tooth. This probably doesn’t sound all that appealing right now, but the process is carried out under anaesthetic and is painless. Once anchored onto the jawbone, the screw is then left for several weeks or months to fuse together with the existing tissue and bone. This is what gives the dental implant its incredible stability; it’s almost as if it becomes part of the body itself.

Once it is fully fused, the dentist can then attach a post to the screw, which is then used to hold in place an artificial tooth. This will have been chosen to closely match the colour and shape of the other teeth in the mouth. Because the dental implant is the only dental replacement to restore the whole of the tooth from root to crown it looks and feels the most realistic.

It is also possible to have series of smaller implants fitted to act as a base for a set of dentures. This has provided much relief to many denture wearers who are often concerned about loose dentures and the embarrassment of having them fall out at exactly the wrong moment. Ask your dentist for more information about the benefits and costs of dental implants. They could be just the answer you have been looking for to restore the appearance of your smile.

Playing physical sports such as rugby, football and cricket can be very dangerous. There are many risks associated with contact sports or ball sports, such as broken or fractured limbs, torn ligaments and head injuries. However, one of the most common sporting injuries, yet often overlooked, is dental trauma. Knocked out, cracked or chipped teeth are no laughing matter, just ask anyone who has had one, but they can also be the cause of many months or even years of costly and uncomfortable dental treatment.

Unless a knocked out tooth is replaced immediately it is unlikely to be saved. This will generally mean a series of dental operations to fit a dental substitution such as a dental bridge or dental implant. These are effective but inferior to real teeth and may cost several thousand pounds. You also the have to live with the knowledge they could break at any time and watch what you eat as a consequence.

There is a simple answer to dental trauma during sports. Mouth guards are simple and effective ways of protecting your teeth against injury. Although it is possible to buy mouth guards from sporting good stores, these are often ill-fitting and offer very little protection. Molesey dentists are able to fit mouth guards at a reasonable price that fit the teeth correctly and offer a far greater degree of protection.

If you are having a mouth guard fitted for your child, you will need to bear in mind that it will need replacing regularly to accommodate their growing and changing teeth. Wearing a mouth guard may not be the coolest thing in the world, but it certainly is cooler than having knocked out teeth when you are in your sporting prime.

Multiple dental implants are not unusual these days, the cost of this treatment has dramatically come down says a Shepperton dentist. A dental implant is a false tooth that is screwed directly into the jaw, it acts, feels and can be used just like a natural tooth. The many problems they solve are a God send to the patient; this is usually a single tooth that is replacing a problem natural tooth. A misaligned tooth can make a smile look awkward; a chipped tooth is painful and will constantly catch on the flesh in the mouth. These are just two problems that dental implants solve. The other main advantage with implants is that they can be used successfully to replace more than a single tooth, and keep the line and colour of the remaining teeth. Once the problem teeth have been removed and the jaw line cleaned, a plate is fitted directly onto the jaw to take the new implants. The plate requires drilling into the jaw to take the screws that anchor the teeth. Where a line of implants are needed individual plates can be fitted to take all the new ones, and in one sitting. The reason this is done is so that in the future a new individual tooth can be replace a worn out or damaged implant. The implants are made together from digital photos taken at the first sitting; the dentist will make the implants so the colouration matches not just the natural teeth, but the other implants. The implants are then just literally screwed into place; the infusion with the bone takes around 3-6 months. The patient can then use the teeth just as they used their natural teeth before they lost them, although they can start using them straight away to chew soft foods.

A dental implant is not a new innovation, the research was started in the 1950s in Sweden and Oxford, the results of which have been revolutionised of late says a Sunbury dentist. They are the ultimate in false teeth and are a real God send for the patient who has lost a tooth or two, and doesn’t want to wear a denture on a plate. The patient first consults a dentist with a tooth problem, this could be a misaligned or crooked tooth, it may be a chipped, cracked or discoloured tooth or even worse a decaying tooth. Once it has been decided that a veneer won’t solve the problem by covering it up, the decision may be made to extract it. The patient then has pictures taken of the gap left, and the teeth either side of the rogue one. An orthodontist will then make the new tooth, this will look just like the old one in colour, size and shape, except it will be more perfect than nature’s last attempt. The new implant has a screw on the bottom of it, the dentist will now drill into the jaw line and screw and glue a plate in place, this has an inner screw hole and into this is placed the new implant. After three to six months the implant will fuse into the jaw and for all intents and purposes the implant acts, feels and works just like a natural tooth. Multiple implants can be fitted in this way, and they last a long time, if they in turn become damaged then they can easily be replaced in a few sittings. This has completely turned around the false tooth industry, especially for those patients that cannot wear dentures on a plate. The new implant can literally be used just like the old tooth, and it can be cleaned in just then same way so there’s no need for a glass of water each night, glue or any special cleaning materials.

Mouth guards are fairly common in certain sports such as rugby and boxing but you might not know that dentists recommend wearing a mouth guard when playing any physical sport involving contact, balls or high speed. This is because the majority of dental injuries resulting in dental trauma are caused by accidents occurring during sport, and not just high contact sports such as rugby and boxing.

Cracked, damaged or knocked out teeth cannot only be very painful, but they can also be the cause of months or even years of painful and costly dental complications. A knocked out tooth that cannot be instantly replaced will need to be repaired with a dental prosthetic such as a dental implant or dental bridge. These replacements can cost thousands of pounds and usually only last between ten and twenty years. This means that they will need to be replaced possibly several times throughout your life and will never provide the same level of security and comfort of a real tooth.

Mouth guards can provide protection against damage to teeth limiting the risk of the need for this treatment. Although mouth guards are available from most sporting good stores, Molesey dentists recommend you have a mouth guard fitted especially by a dentist for the maximum degree of protection as generic mouth guards can often be ill-fitting and slack.

Wearing a mouth guard may not be the most fashionable thing to wear when playing sport but when compared to the alternative of having a painful and unseemly missing or cracked teeth, it really does make sense. Make an appointment with your dentist to discuss the benefits and costs of mouth guards.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root placed directly into your jaw to act as a base for an artificial tooth replacement. They are ideally suited to patients with a good general standard of oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to decay or accidental damage. Implants do not rely on adjacent teeth for support so they avoid any unnecessary damage to healthy teeth common in other dental replacement surgery.

The man advantage of a dental implant over other replacements such as bridges or partial dentures is the natural looking feel and visual effect they produce. Implants are permanent replacements designed to act just like a real tooth and can carry out all the necessary functions of a real tooth. This creates an increased feeling of confidence in a dental implant that can be missing from other replacements. If properly fitted and cared for, a dental implant can last a lifetime without causing any unnecessary interruption to the patient’s life.

Dental implants are usually made form titanium and come in the shape of small screws anchored directly into the jawbone. Once there they are allowed to fuse with the bone and tissue before having an artificial tooth attached. One implant can act as the base for several replacements and a series of mini-implants can support a whole denture, providing much needed security.

Certain conditions need to be met for a dental implant to be successful, which usually include an otherwise good standard of dental health. Only strong jaws and gum tissue can support an implant properly so consult a Molesey dentist to see if you are a suitable candidate.

A knocked out tooth is one of the more common dental injuries. Teeth can be knocked out by any kind of head trauma received either playing sport, in a car accident or any other kind of physical collision. A missing tooth can often be the source of great embarrassment and loss of self-confidence, especially if in the more visible front teeth. Most patients who suffer a knocked out tooth want to replace it with a realistic alternative. The most lifelike and natural dental substitute available is a dental implant.

It is also important to replace missing teeth for health reasons. Missing teeth can have adverse effects on the other teeth in the arc, which can move about and become misaligned. Mobile teeth can also cause painful interruptions to bite and jaw complications. A dental bridge is a sturdy replacement for a real tooth and prevents any kind of tooth mobility that may still occur with other dental substitutes.

A dental implant itself is a small metal screw, usually made from titanium or other non-harmful, strong metal. It is anchored into the jawbone itself like the root of a natural tooth to provide a solid and realistic alternative. Once the implant is screwed into the jawbone, it will be left for several weeks for the bone and tissue to fuse around it. This process is called osseointegration. While this fusion is taking pace the dentist may attach a temporary crown to protect the implant. The temporary crown will later be replaced with a porcelain crown, designed to fit perfectly with the other teeth and match their colour as closely as possible.

Dental implants can be used to support one or more missing teeth. They are suitable for patients with strong jawbones and healthy existing teeth. Patients without sufficient bone also have the option of a bone graft before the implant. The cost of dental implants varies on the materials used and the complexity of the procedure, but the higher cost is reflected in the longevity of the treatment. A well-maintained dental implant from a Kingston-upon-Thames dentist could last over twenty years providing the patient with security and feel of a real tooth.

Having a tooth knocked out cannot only be a painful experience but it can also be the cause of long term emotional issues. Patients with missing teeth are often very embarrassed and reluctant to smile. Similarly, patients who have lost teeth to dental problems such as decay can suffer self-confidence and esteem issues. There are several options to replace missing teeth such as partial dentures and dental bridges, but one of the most popular is a dental implant. Patients like dental implants because they provide a feeling of permanency that closely represents a real tooth.

There are also physiological reasons as well as emotional ones why it is important to replace the tooth with a solid substitute. Because teeth act as rigid supports for facial muscles, if one is missing it can lead to a sagging of facial tissues. Existing teeth will be naturally inclined to lean into the gap left by a tooth which can cause uncomfortable alterations in bite and profile that are extremely difficult to reverse. A dental implant is the most sturdy alternative to a real tooth and can prevent any kind of unwanted facial alteration.

The actual implant is in the form of a small cylindrical screw, usually made of titanium or similar strong, lightweight metal suitable for use in the body. This is attached directly into the jawbone to act as an anchor for the artificial tooth. After this has been implanted it is usually left for a few weeks to allow it to fuse with the bone and gum in a process called osseointergration. Once this has happened a post will be attached to the screw and then finally the crown.

The implant being anchored into the jawbone gives a dental implant that extra stability that bonding and bridges do not have. The extra stability can be very reassuring for patients who are concerned about other dental appliances falling out. In fact, mini implants can also be used to secure dentures by using snap on/snap off metal clips. Because dental implants are so strong they do not prohibit the eating of certain foods which other artificial dental appliances can.

If you have a missing tooth or an existing dental appliance that needs fixing, make an appointment to see a Worcester Park dentist. The dentist will be able to assess your jawbone to see if it is strong enough to maintain a dental implant.

If you are too embarrassed to smile because of a missing tooth then a dental implant might be the solution you have been looking for. There are other options available but because of the artificial tooth supported by a dental implant, it offers the most realistic substitute for a real tooth. It also offers a greater degree of stability than other cosmetic dental procedures.

Dental implants are cylindrical or screw like devices that are anchored to the jawbone to act as a stable base for a crown. Made of titanium and other substances naturally suitable to the human body they offer a genuine substitute for a real tooth root. Implants have been around for several decades and are suitable for most adult patients. Because they are sturdy and fixed they do not have to be removed and no messy adhesive is needed. They also do not prohibit the eating of certain foods as more temporary tooth substitutes might. Also, due to their rigidity, they can help prevent the sinking damage to the facial structure that many patients who have lost teeth may suffer.

A dental implant procedure takes place in three steps. Firstly, the screw is anchored into the jawbone, with its top being just proud of the bone. This is then left to allow the gum and jaw to fuse to the implant, in a process called osseointegration. During the second process, a ‘post’ is then attached to the implant. Lastly, the dentist will attach the actual crown to the post.

Dental implants work especially well for patients who have strong jaws and gums but do require a commitment to good oral hygiene after the procedure. If successful, they do offer the most realistic alternative to having a real tooth. A Kingston on Thames dentist will be able to offer you a consultation to see if you are suitable for dental implants. And that will be a reason to smile. Call  01932 223 479 for an appointment with Dr Riten Patel.

If you have gaps in your teeth, then you might want to consider getting a dental bridge. Considered to be one of the most effective solutions to replacing missing teeth, dental bridges can prevent worsening of the gaps as well as improve chewing and bite.

Dental bridges can actually be supported by implants, natural teeth or combination or both. They can also be classified into traditional or bonded dental bridges. In addition, they can be made from porcelain or metal alloy-porcelain.

There are also different types of dental bridges:

• Cantilever – held by one or several crowns on just one side
• Maryland-bonded – a type of bonded dental bridge that features a winged- metal framework; also referred to as resin-bonded dental bridge
• Traditional – attachment of the false teeth to the natural teeth or implants located on the sides of the space, filling the gap.

Compared to bonded bridges, traditional bridges are considered to be more expensive because the teeth adjacent to the space or gap will require more preparation. On the bright side, they are definitely more durable. Of course, with the assistance of your Worcester Park dentist, you can easily choose which dental bridge will meet you needs as well as budget.

The entire process will most likely require at least two visits: the first one will involve the preparation of the teeth and making impressions and the succeeding visits will involve the fitting of the dental bridge.

Typically, a dental bridge from The Mulberry dental can last for as long as 15 years as long as you provide it with proper attention and care. An excellent hygiene program is required along with proper diet and regular visits to your dentist.