Unless you really want an authentic air in your performance of the Pirates of Penzance, losing a tooth may not seem to have too many advantages.  But how do you go about filling that gap? Dentures were once the main solution but dental implants are now the most popular choice. This is because of and their ability to maintain and encourage the growth of surrounding dental tissue, as well as their longer term effectiveness.

Benefits over other treatments

The obvious of dental implants in comparison to dentures are their functionality. When done correctly, a dental implant will function just like a normal tooth. A common occurrence after tooth loss is atrophy (the gradual decay of the bone where the tooth used to sit), which can cause changes in jaw shape. Dental implants can help maintain and encourage the growth of the bone structure. The procedure also does not require healthy teeth surrounding the gap to be affected, whereas dental bridges can need nearby teeth to be removed in order to accommodate the replacement tooth.

The procedure

Firstly, the state of your teeth and gums will be assessed. If there are any symptoms that you are suffering from gum disease or tooth decay, these will need to be attended to before treatment can begin. Planning the procedure will require x-rays and, possibly a CT scan to consider the quality of the bone tissue and any anatomical structures to evade during drilling. It should be noted that implants need a good quality and quantity of available bone, but if this isn’t the case there is always the possibility of a bone graft.

The gum, in the area where the implant is to sit, is cut and lifted, after which a hole is made in a precise location on the jaw using a dental drill. A titanium implant is then fitted tightly into this socket and the gums are then stitched over the dental implant. Once placed, the implant is left to heal for between 6 weeks and 6 months. After this healing period, a temporary crown is fitted for between four and six weeks. After this, the permanent prosthesis can be fitted.

If you have any questions concerning dental implant please feel free to call the practice. We are based in Stockport but provide services for patients throughout the North and the UK.