Losing a tooth is a traumatic experience. Whatever the cause, a missing tooth can make you embarrassed to show your smile in public. But did you know that missing teeth cause more than just aesthetic problems?
When teeth are lost, extra strain is put on any remaining teeth. They may also move position into any gaps, becoming crooked and hard to clean, while over time the bone beneath where your teeth used to be starts to recede.
So if you’ve lost a tooth, what can you do? One increasingly popular solution is dental implants. Unlike other options such as bridges or unsecured dentures, dental implants are permanent and actually integrate with your bone, not just providing a stable base for tooth replacement but also helping to prevent bone loss.
Dental implants are colloquially known as replacement teeth, but strictly speaking they are more like replacement tooth roots, onto which tooth replacements are attached. They are made of titanium and are placed directly in the jaw bone with a minor surgical procedure. Replacement teeth in the form of crowns, bridges or secured dentures are then fitted on top.
Although they have grown massively in popularity in the last decade, it may surprise you to learn that implants have been used for the past 30 years. They are now widely regarded as one of the best long-term solutions to tooth loss.
Here at Fellows Dental Practice, principal dentist Mark Fellows holds a Masters in Dental Implantology and has successfully treated many implant patients.
Dental implants restore not just your confidence in your smile; they also give you back full functionality, meaning you can enjoy all your favourite foods once more.
So please do call the practice and ask to see Mark for a consultation on dental implants.