Dental Implants in Essex

On average, an adult between the ages of 20 and 64 have three or more decayed or missing teeth. There are many reasons to correct the problem. For one thing, a large space between your teeth may affect how you speak or eat. Remaining teeth may shift and in some cases, bone loss can occur around a missing tooth. With today's advances, you don't have to suffer from missing teeth. If you have missing teeth you have the option to replace them with dental implants, bridges or dentures. Each treatment option has advantages and disadvantages, depending on the health of your teeth and your budget.

Implants are normally placed by dental surgical specialists (periodontists and oral surgeons) or general dentists who have undertaken special training in implantology.

Your general dentist is the place to start!

If you no longer have any of your natural teeth you will be pleased to hear that a whole new world of dentistry has opened up, and dental implants are leading the way! This advancement in dentistry has changed so many people's lives for the better!

All on 4 Same Day Implants
In some cases, particularly with older people, it becomes necessary to replace a full row, or even both rows, of teeth. In the past, the patient would have to wear dentures, limiting the type of food they can eat, and which often become loose over time, causing embarrassment and discomfort. The good news is that you can have a full bridge of teeth permanently attached to four implants mounted in the jaw. This can be done in just one visit! You'll walk into the clinic unhappy with your teeth, and will walk out with a brand new perfect smile and a happy future.

Implant supported dentures
Those who have worn a denture for a long time will tell you that over time the bone remodels and resorbs resulting in loose and uncomfortable dentures. When this happens, they are forced to grin and bear it using various denture adhesives. But now with the development of dental implant supported dentures those days can be left behind! A denture supported by dental implants will be far more stable, and long lasting, then a traditional removable denture. Dentures secured via implants are the ultimate solution, giving you the confidence to eat, smile and laugh. The teeth can be made of porcelain or acrylic. These teeth will look very natural and there are a wide range of shades available to choose from. Patients who have gone through this procedure will tell you that everyday tasks are much easier. They find speaking easier. They are not worried that their denture may fall out or become lost. Patients are excited that they can eat foods they have not been able to eat in years. Another big advantage is that the denture can be made much less bulky, resulting in a much more natural appearance. Implant supported removable dentures usually are fabricated for the lower jaw. This is because regular dentures tend to be less stable on the lower arch due to tongue and musculature present. Usually, a regular denture made to fit an upper jaw is much more stable and tolerable on its own and doesn't need the extra support offered by implants. If the patient chooses they can receive a dental implant supported denture in either the upper or lower jaw.

Implant bridges
An implant-supported bridge is very much similar to a regular dental bridge, but it is secured by implants and not by natural teeth. In most cases, one implant is placed in the jawbone for each missing tooth, and then the crowns are connected to each other to form one piece.

Dental implants provide several advantages. Not only do they look and function like natural teeth, they replace teeth without support from neighbouring natural teeth. In addition, because implant-supported bridges will replace some of your tooth roots, your bone is better preserved. This is a major advantage in comparison to a fixed bridge or removable partial denture, where gums and bone can recede around a fixed bridge or removable partial denture, leaving a visible defect.

Implants are a great option for the long term as they are aesthetic, functional and comfortable.

Implants for single teeth
A single implant is a good option for the long term as it is more aesthetic and easier to keep clean than a bridge. As mentioned above, a fixed bridge is supported by other teeth, and requires the dentist to cut down (prepare) normal healthy teeth to support a cemented bridge. In this case, the jawbone can begin to resorb and, therefore, deteriorate. A dental implant, on the other hand, will be placed into the jawbone to serve as a root for the missing tooth. This can also help to preserve the bone.

If treated and cared for properly, implants can last a lifetime.

Dental implants traditionally have a very high success rate. Research concludes that over 95% of procedures are successful — the highest of any tooth-replacement option. Even in areas of low bone density, success is quite common. A successful and functional implant restoration can last a lifetime.

Although it is rare, an implant can fail. There can be complications with the implant fusing to the bone properly or it can come loose from it for a variety of reasons.

Sometimes, it's the number of implants that's at fault: too few implants are placed to handle too much stress — a situation known as overload. Sometimes an implant-supported tooth can stick up a little higher than the other teeth, meaning it will be subject to more biting and chewing force. This is why it's so important to choose a qualified professional to install your implants.

Advantages of implants

• Next best thing to natural, healthy teeth. Dental implants can restore your mouth as closely as possible to its natural state. They are strong and stable, and they restore a lost tooth so that it looks, feels, and functions just like a natural tooth. Other treatment options can lead to bone deterioration and this can have a knock on effect which may interfere with eating, smiling, speaking and other everyday life activities.
• Long-term solution. Implants are permanently fixed so they won't loosen. Dental bridges only have a life span of around five to seven years, and eventually they will need to be replaced. Research suggests that implants last much longer than any other conventional restorations Dental implants may need occasional adjustments, but they are a long term solution, and can last a lifetime if properly placed and looked after. For over dentures, you can finally avoid the need to use denture adhesives as implants provide excellent denture stabilisation.
• No need to worry about your teeth! You can say goodbye to the days of staying home or feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed in public because your smile. Or conscious that your missing teeth will hinder your fun because you wear removable dentures and may loosen or fall out when you talk, eat or laugh. Dental implants will give you freedom and confidence to live your life again.
• Retain your face shape and smile. A face can and sag without teeth, making your face look sunken and sad. Dental implants preventing shrinkage of jawbone so will keep you to looking younger and allow you to maintain the natural shape of your face and smile. Overdentures will help minimise premature wrinkles by controlling/improving facial contours.
• Protect healthy bone. Losing one or more teeth can lead to additional health issues if you leave empty spaces in your mouth. The jawbone will start to deteriorate (losing its strength and firmness) if it is not being used to support a natural tooth. Dental implants are the only dental restoration option that will preserve bone and reduce bone resorption and deterioration.
• Keep your teeth in your mouth. Dental implants keep your teeth in your mouth and not in a cup. You can stop worrying that your dentures might slip or fall out. Just look after your implants just the same as you do with natural teeth - Brushing and flossing.
• Speak with ease. Dental implants function like natural teeth. Unlike adjusting to removable dentures, there is no more struggling to pronounce everyday words. Research suggests that individuals with over-dentures are able to speak, chew and eat much more efficiently, compared to those individuals wearing traditional full dentures
• Eat what you love! Implants allow you to eat all foods. You can taste and enjoy the foods you love in with ease. You can bite naturally, and eat virtually anything you want. This is extremely difficult with removable dentures.
• No cavities! Cavities can't occur in an implant-restored crown, or replacement tooth. You will however need to visit your dentist and hygienist for routine visits for cleaning and review appointments. It is very important that you care for your implant, gums and mouth every day, the same as you would if it were a natural tooth.
• Keeping your teeth in place. Dentures have a tendency to slip when you eat, talk, smile, laugh, kiss, yawn or cough. This means you have to 'reposition' them back into place. The good thing with dental implants is that they are fixed in place and fuse naturally with your jawbone - this means your replacement teeth with stay in place.
• Protect your healthy teeth. Dental implants preserve natural tooth tissue. This avoids the need to cut down adjacent teeth for conventional bridgework. They prevent any remaining natural teeth from being damaged. A dental bridge requires grinding away the teeth on one or both sides of the missing tooth or teeth. This means you are damaging healthy teeth to restore those that are missing. Dental implants are anchored to the jawbone, where your missing tooth root was, without impacting healthy teeth. They also help prevent healthy, adjacent teeth from shifting. This happens to teeth when an empty space is left for an extended period of time.
• More predictable than other methods. Dental implant treatment has a good history of being reliable and long-term successful. They are often considered 'more predictable' than other methods to repair or replace missing teeth (including bridgework, removable appliances and retreatment of failing root canal therapy).

• Most dental implant surgeons cannot do this treatment - highly specialised.
• Not all patients are suitable. There needs to be a good quality and amount of bone available.
• The implant has to be placed into your bone. Surgery is not without risks. Risks include, infection, prolonged bleeding, damage to other teeth, nerve damage, delayed bone healing, jaw fracture and many others.
• A healthy person will recover more quickly from this treatment. It is a lot for the body to deal with and therefore may be slightly painful for a while afterwards.
• The success rate for bone grafts in the jaws for the purpose of placing dental implants is very high. However, there is always a chance that the bone graft will fail, even if your own bone was used. Bone grafts are not rejected like organ transplants. Dentists don't know why some bone grafts fail - it could be because the patient is a heavy smoker, or because of a medical condition. It is important to be aware that there is a higher risk of failure in implants placed into grafted bone rather than natural bone. However, in the event of a failed graft, this graft will simply be will be removed. Once the area has healed, your dentist may choose to place a second graft.
• As mentioned above, there are certain health conditions and habits that have a bearing whether a dental implant is successful or not. For example, if you have uncontrolled diabetes, your ability to heal in general will be affected. This will cause complications with the implant attaching to the bone tissue.
• If you are a smoker, this can compromise the success of a dental implant as it reduces blood supply for healing, (though smoking does not disqualify you from receiving implants).
• The osteoporosis drug Fosamax, if taken for more than three years, can compromise bone healing. Osteoporosis itself can affect bone density, making it difficult for implants to be strong enough to handle the normal functional stresses associated with biting and chewing, for example.
• Oral hygiene is particularly important with implants. Failure to remove food particles and plaque from the gums near the implant on a daily basis can lead to a bacterial infection, known as peri-implantitis. This infection can destroy bone and loosen the implant.
• Patient may experience pain, swelling and bruising in the area where the graft (bone) has been taken from. If bone has been taken from the hip, they may find it uncomfortable to walk for two to four weeks. Swelling in the jaw normally lasts for about one to two weeks.

The ideal candidate for dental implants has good general and oral health. You need adequate bone in your jaw to support the implant. If you have lost bone, you can still have implants but will need a bone-grafting procedure. People who wear partial or full dentures can replace them with dental implants or use implants to stabilise and secure the denture, making it much more comfortable.

You care for your implants the same way you care for your natural teeth. It is important to brush and floss daily. If you have any problems, see your dentist before your recall visit.