Dental implants in Herefordshire – an introduction
Dental implants are often viewed as the ideal replacement option for missing teeth. Not only do they restore your smile, but they also provide the look, feel and function of natural teeth. Dental implants come in different sizes but they are all made of titanium and act as tooth root substitutes.
At Warrendale Dental Care in Herefordshire, dental implants are our treatment of choice for tooth loss. While there are many methods to replace missing teeth, such as removable dentures and bridges, dental implants are actually embedded into the jawbone, providing a secure anchor for artificial replacement teeth to be based on.
What are dental implants?
Surgically fitted into the jawbone, dental implants are commonly made of titanium and are shaped like small screws or cylinders. To place a dental implant into your jawbone, your dentist will make an incision to the gum in order to expose the jawbone. After that, a hole is drilled in the jawbone and the implant is inserted and sealed into the bone.
As the gums begin to heal, dental implants fuse with the jawbone during a healing period that can last from a few weeks to several months. After the healing period has passed, the post is attached to the dental implant or implants. Then, artificial teeth such as crowns, dentures or bridges are attached to the posts.
Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
Most patients are good candidates for dental implants, as long as they are healthy and have enough bone left in their jawbone. Your jawbone must be dense and healthy enough to support the dental implants. If it is not, then the dental implants may fail. In some cases, it may be possible to add bone grafts to your jawbone to prepare it for implant surgery. Patients with gum disease cannot have dental implants before it is treated. Last but not least, if you suffer from diabetes or heart disease, you may still have dental implants in Herefordshire, as long as your condition is stabilised.
Contact us
To learn more about dental implants in Herefordshire or book a consultation appointment, contact us today.