What are dental implants and are they suitable for you?

Dental implants are a popular treatment for replacing lost teeth. As the implants are placed directly into your jawbone, they provide a long term solution to the gaps caused by missing teeth. Effectively, they do the work of a tooth’s root - supporting the crowns or dentures above them, and because they are discreet, they give you the confidence to smile again.

Implants are definitely the future of restorative dentistry and At Dentalia we are at the forefront of this technology, so let’s take a look at what we can offer and why you should choose dental implants.

Dental implants vs dentures

If you are considering dental implants then it is very likely that you have either considered dentures, or are currently using them.  Partial dentures are removable false teeth consisting of a plate with one or more teeth fitted to it, that clips onto your natural teeth.  Both dentures and dental implants are a solution for replacing missing teeth, but which one is right for you?

Benefits of dentures:

• Removable
• Natural looking
• Dentures support facial structure so cheeks don’t look hollow

Drawbacks of dentures:

• Take a while to get used to
• You might have to practice speaking and eating whilst wearing dentures
• Must be cleaned and stored properly when not in use
• May need replacing periodically as they become worn

Benefits of dental implants:

• No strain placed on your remaining natural teeth
• Natural looking
• If looked after they should last for life
• You can smile, eat and drink with confidence

Drawbacks of dental implants:

• Treatment is more costly than dentures alone
• Can take several months from initial consultation to final restoration
• You will need to employ a strict dental hygiene routine to keep your teeth and gums around your implants clean

Most patients find a combination of dentures and implants provide the best solution - i.e. dentures supported by implants so that there is no need to worry about removing dentures, storing them correctly, or having them fall out.

Are dental implants suitable for you?

The good news is that most people who have a missing tooth or teeth may be suitable candidates for dental implants, however we always advise our patients to attend an initial consultation to discuss the options and suitability before making a decision.  As dental implants involve oral surgery, there are a few instances where this type of treatment might not be suitable, for example:

• Not having sufficient jawbone in place to fuse with the implants
• Having gum disease - this will need to be treated first
• Having chronic illness or having previously undergone radiation treatment in the jaw or neck area

Other options if implants are not suitable

Don’t worry if implants are not suitable for you, or you don’t want to undergo oral surgery, as dentures make a very good alternative.  We have already discussed some of the benefits above and here at Dentalia, we have Clinical Dental Technicians (CDTs) and a lab onsite, ready to create bespoke dentures to fit your mouth comfortably.

Book now for your free consultation

If you want to find out more about your options for replacing a missing tooth, please do get in touch with us. You can call us on 01256 353033 or click here to contact us.  We can arrange for a free consultation to talk you through procedures for implants and dentures and discuss the best treatment for you.