If you are one of the 74% of UK adults who has lost a tooth, you may be very tempted to just live with the gap. This can be especially tempting if you have just lost the odd tooth at the side or back, where it doesn’t affect your smile so much.

At Orpington Dental Care, we encourage all our patients who have lost teeth to get replacements of some kind for a number of reasons. In Orpington, dental implants are the best kind of replacement for a single missing tooth.

Why fill the gap?

If the surrounding teeth are in good health, you don’t really want to compromise them by leaving a gap. When there is a gap in the teeth, the bone and where the missing tooth used to be start to shrink through lack of use. Also, our teeth support each other in their places and when there is a gap that support is compromised, so the teeth can start to move around and tip over into the gap, even fall out. So, losing one tooth can, over time, lead to losing more teeth.

What can dental implants do?

In Orpington, dental implants work by replacing the root of the tooth as well as the crown. They are the only kind of tooth restoration that does this. Having a replacement root means that the cells in the jawbone and the gum can continue to renew themselves and keep both strong and healthy. If you opt for a bridge, you won’t get a replacement root, plus you will lose the 2 perfectly good teeth on either side of the gap, as these will have to be ground down to become the abutments for the bridge to fix onto.

When you have a dental implant, you will need to take half a day off work to have minor oral surgery under local anaesthetic to have it fitted. Once in place, the implant needs several weeks to heal and integrate with the jawbone. When that’s done, you can come back and we will fit your custom-made porcelain crown, which will blend in seamlessly with your other teeth.

Orpington dental implants can last for decades if they are well looked after.

Tooth loss is a stressful but common event that most of us experience at some point in our lives. Although adult teeth are supposed to be permanent, sometimes accidents happen and between cavities, gum disease, and trauma, we end up losing one or several teeth.

The good news is that modern dentistry has a variety of ways to help you replace your missing tooth or teeth. At Orpington Dental, dental implants are our treatment of choice for patients who have lost one, several or all of their natural teeth. Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants fuse with the jawbone and become a permanent part of the mouth offering strength and stability, just like natural teeth.

How dental implants work

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is surgically fixed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth, a bridge or dentures. Unlike conventional dentures, crowns or bridges, dental implants involve using a titanium post to anchor the replacement teeth in place. Because they are made of titanium, a material that is friendly to the human body, dental implants have the ability to fuse into the jawbone and create a sturdy foundation for replacement teeth. If properly looked-after, they can last a lifetime.

Benefits of dental implants

Dental implants not only look natural, but also behave like natural teeth as well, providing a strength and function that cannot be achieved by other restorations. Because dental implants are firmly attached into the jawbone, much like natural tooth roots, they provide replacement teeth with strength and stability.

More importantly, dental implants prevent jawbone loss. Tooth loss is often accompanied by bone mass loss around the missing tooth site. This is because there is no longer a root there to encourage the stimulation of the jawbone. By placing dental implants into the jaw bone, bone growth is encouraged and this can help to prevent future bone loss as well.

Finally, dental implants are more cost-effective compared to other restorations. If you look at the life-time costs of dental implants compared to the costs of dentures and bridges that need to be replaced every few years, then dental implants are surprisingly cheaper.

Your teeth can influence your whole body and overall wellbeing. When they are healthy, you are healthy too. However, badly decayed and missing teeth can cause many problems such as bite, speech and eating issues.  Replacing missing teeth is essential for your oral health, since the fewer teeth remaining in the mouth the more forces they sustain which increases the risk of losing more teeth. Furthermore, tooth loss can also cause problems to your jawbone.

At Orpington Dental Care in Orpington, dental implants are our treatment of choice for patients who have lost one, several or all of their teeth. Each patient has different requirements and we are here to help you decide which implant treatment is the best for you. Single missing teeth can be replaced with single tooth implants, whereas multiple missing teeth may benefit from implant-supported bridges or dentures.

How do dental implants work?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium metal. They are surgically inserted into the jawbone, where they have the ability to fuse with the bone tissue and create a strong foundation for replacement teeth.

During the second stage of surgery and once the tissue has healed, your dentist will attach a connector (also known as abutment) to the dental implants. This will connect the replacement teeth to the dental implants. If you have implant-supported bridges or dentures, then they will be stabilised with the aid of special fixtures or clip-ons instead of an abutment.

Why select dental implants over dentures and bridges?

There are several reasons to select dental implants over conventional dentures and bridges. Dental implants preserve healthy bone structure and encourage the creation of new bone tissue, plus they can last a lifetime with proper care. A dental bridge requires the removal of healthy tooth material for support, whereas removable dentures weaken the adjacent teeth, can harm the gums and tend to become loose over time.

Am I eligible for dental implants in Orpington?

Most people are eligible for dental implants as long as they are healthy and have sufficient bone left in their jaw. To see if you are a good candidate, contact us today.

“Getting old isn’t for sissies.” So said, the witty and wonderful movie star of the mid-20^th century, Bette Davis, who lived until she was 81. As we age, we become creakier and slower and bits of us stopping working. Modern research is finding ways to make getting older easier, and one of the best that has come along is dental implants. In Orpington, we offer these teeth restorations and patients are increasingly choosing them before other options.

The perks

Having dental implants in Orpington makes ageing easier to combat because they allow you to keep on eating the healthy, nutritious foods that tend to end up on the ‘no can do’ list when you replace your teeth with dentures and bridges. These traditional teeth restorations only provide about a quarter of the chewing power that natural teeth have. That makes it hard to eat crunchy foods such as raw fruit and vegetables. Or chewy foods such as lean meats, or bitty foods such as nuts. We need to be able to keep on eating these foods if we are to give our bodies the nutrition they require to prevent other parts failing.

The process

In Orpington, dental implants give you back your full chewing power because they replace the root of the tooth as well as the crown. The implant goes into a socket that your dentist creates for you in your jawbone. This is a minor surgical procedure that is carried out under local anaesthetic. If, however, you feel at all anxious about it, we can give you sedation so that you are deeply peaceful throughout the procedure.

The implant is made of titanium because this metal is highly biocompatible. Once in place, it stimulates new bone tissue growth around it and the two mesh together over a number of weeks, until the implant post is held in place as securely as a natural tooth.

After that, we attach your custom-made porcelain crowns, which are made to be indistinguishable from your own teeth. One dental implant can support up to 3 teeth. They can also hold bridges and dentures in place so they don’t wobble around.

Losing your teeth can cause issues with your appearance and can also create difficulties with everyday activities such as eating and speaking. If you are not happy with how you look, this knocks your confidence and enjoyment of social interactions. In the past, replacing teeth used to involve removeable appliances that restricted what foods you could eat. They were also often wobbly, inconvenient to clean or uncomfortable. Fortunately, at Orpington Dental Care in Orpington, dental implants are an established technique for replacing teeth. We are proud to have used this technology to restore quality of life for hundreds of patients.

A flexible option

Dental implants work in the same way as a natural tooth root and can be used as a secure base for one tooth, several teeth or a whole set. We are experienced in fitting dental implants in Orpington and will discuss your needs so that, whatever the problem, we can find the best solution. In some cases, it is better to remove some teeth if they are in poor condition but we would always try to preserve existing teeth if possible. To replace a full set, you will usually have four implants. The implants are rod-shaped metal screws which are inserted into the jaw during a minor operation. When the bones and blood vessels of the jaw have meshed around the metal implants and stabilised them, a full denture can be permanently fixed in place.

What are the benefits?

When you choose dental implants in Orpington, you are opting for a secure, permanent solution. Once they are fitted, your replacement teeth will feel just like natural ones so you can eat your favourite meals again without concern. Another major advantage is that implants stimulate the bones of the jaw in the same way as natural teeth when you bite and chew. This keeps the tissues healthy, as the jawbone does not shrink back as they do if you have gaps or use dentures. There is also the visible benefit of having a smile you can be proud of again.

Restore your smile and quality of life and talk to us about how having dental implants in Orpington could help you.

At Orpington Dental Care, we treat every patient as an individual and create treatment plans for you based on your needs. When you have dental implants in Orpington with us, you will soon discover that there are lots of decisions that get made along the way depending on the circumstances in your mouth and jawbone.

During your initial consultation, your dentist will do a detailed examination and ask you questions to determine how your dental implant procedure will go. They also check your suitability for dental implants in Orpington at this point. As long as you are in good health and have the required jawbone density, the chances are good that you will be able to proceed. Even if there are some issues that need to be addressed, this often simply means further steps in your treatment plan.

How many dental implants do you need?

You may not need as many dental implants in Orpington as you think. A single implant can support a number of teeth if they are mounted on a bridge or denture. A full arch can be supported by as few as four implants, in the right circumstances.

Dental implants can be used to replace single teeth as well. If you have healthy teeth remaining, they do not need to be taken out or filed down in order to have dental implants fitted. Your dentist will make a precise plan to avoid damage or stress to your existing teeth during fitting.

Does your mouth need preparation?

Some circumstances in your mouth can be adjusted to make the environment more suitable for dental implants. For example, if you do not have the necessary height or thickness in your jawbone to support the actions of your new teeth, your dentist can build the area up using a bone graft. This is where material is taken from elsewhere in your body and added to the jawbone. It fuses in place and creates a foundation for you dental implants.

How long will it take to heal?

Everyone is different when it comes to healing. An average time for healing after dental implants is 8-12 weeks. However, the extent of your procedure, your health and lifestyle factors, like smoking, can all affect your progress. Your dentist plans regular check-ups with you during this time.

Dental implants are the most modern form of tooth replacement, although they have been in use since the early 1960s. Before dental implants were invented, dentures and bridges were your only alternatives when it came to restoring the appearance of your teeth, neither of which are entirely satisfactory when it comes to restoring the function of your teeth. Dental implants can restore both the appearance and the function of your teeth which is why they are now widely regarded as the gold-standard of tooth replacement.

Dental implants are widely regarded by dentists as the most reliable long-term method of restoring individual teeth as well as allowing them to fix bridges of up to three teeth without having to grind down the adjoining teeth to allow them to fit crowns to hold the bridge in place. This is beneficial to your long-term dental health as you are able to retain more of your own teeth in an undamaged state. Here at our practice in Orpington, dental implants are proving popular with many patients who have lost teeth, especially when we explain about the overall benefits of dental implants.

So what are the benefits of dental implants?

From the point of view of our patients, dental implants offer a number of beneficial effects. One of the most important of these is that they restore the function of your teeth, not just in your mouth, but in your jaw as well. Unlike bridges and dentures which sit on your gums, the titanium screw which is fixed into your jaw helps to maintain the structure of your jawbone. Without the natural stimulation on your jaw from the biting and chewing process, the bone begins to shrink. This is why people who have lost all their teeth develop a distinctive look over time as their lips and teeth are no-longer supported by the teeth and jaws.

The other benefit of dental implants is that once fully integrated the tooth or teeth will be secure and reliable, allowing you to eat, speak and even laugh with perfect confidence that your teeth will stay in your mouth. If you would like to find out more about the benefits of dental implants in Orpington, book your appointment today.

Losing your teeth can be make eating and speaking difficult and can also have a negative impact on how you feel about yourself. If you feel self-conscious in social situations or find yourself hiding your smile, then you know how missing teeth can affect your confidence. You may have considered dentures, bridges or crowns, but worried that they would be uncomfortable or hard to get used to. At Orpington Dental Care, we are proud to offer dental implants in Orpington, which offer a stable, long-term solution to the problem of missing teeth.

How do implants work?

Dental implants are small metal screws that are placed into the jaw during a minor operation. Over time, the bones and blood vessels mesh around the implants and stabilise them. They can then be used as a base for crowns, bridges or dentures. If the structure of the jaw is sound, your replacement teeth can be fitted the same day. Otherwise you may have to wait for a short time while the implants become stable. For our patients in Orpington, dental implants offer a flexible solution as they can be used to replace single or multiple teeth. One implant can support a bridge of up to four teeth or more implants can provide a secure base for a whole set of dentures.

What are the benefits?

Apart from restoring your smile, having dental implants in Orpington will enable you to eat your favourite foods again without difficulty. This improves quality of life but also contributes to enhanced nutrition and better overall health. They also avoid any of the difficulties associated with removeable dentures, such as poor fitting, inconvenient cleaning regimes, discomfort or problems speaking. The implants behave in the same way as the roots of natural teeth, which means that they help to keep the jaw healthy. If you have dentures, the jaw is not stimulated in the same way, causing the tissues to shrink back.

We have many years of experience in carrying out restorations for missing teeth in Orpington. Dental implants could give you a new lease of life and a beautiful new smile. Make an appointment with us today to discuss how we can help.

Dental treatments can be as individual as you are. Although the general goal might be the same from patient to patient – replacing teeth for example – the way that this is achieved can vary.

With a procedure like dental implants, there is no way to tell exactly what course your treatment will take without consulting a dentist for advice.

Consultation

When you have dental implants in Orpington with Orpington Dental, the first thing that will happen is a detailed consultation and examination. This is so that one of our team can check what you need. It may include x-rays of the teeth and jawbone to check for health and density.

You are asked a series of questions to determine whether any historical, medical or lifestyle factors are likely to affect your capacity to support implants. If there are any issues, your dentist will discuss them with you.

Preparation

There are two main procedures that might be used to prepare for dental implants, if required.

You may need to have the remains of old teeth removed in order to make way for your new set. Your dentist will also talk to you about any remaining teeth that look like they might deteriorate in the near future and cannot be saved in any other way. It could be easier to replace these at the same time as your others. Any healthy teeth will be unaffected and can stay where they are.

Dental implants are supported in your jawbone. They need a certain amount of height and thickness in order to be able to do the work you want them to do. If you do not have the necessary composition in your jaw, you can have material added to create it. This is achieved by means of a bone graft or sinus lift.

A bone graft is where material is taken from elsewhere in your body and applied to the area. This then knits with the existing bone. If you prefer, you may be able to consider a bone donor or animal source instead. This process extends the overall treatment time but makes dental implants accessible for many people who have deterioration in the jawbone.

Dental implants’ success rate may vary depending on where in the jaw the implants are placed but, in general, dental implants have a success rate around 98%. With proper care, dental implants in Orpington can last a lifetime.

Once you’ve received your new implants and you’ve healed completely, you’ll be able to take care of your implants just as if they’re real teeth. This means brushing and flossing daily and visiting Orpington Dental Care on a regular basis. Dental implants in Orpington are just like your natural teeth and sometimes they can be considered as better for many reasons, including the fact that dental implants cannot get cavities.

Advantages of dental implants

You will benefit from an improved and natural appearance. Since dental implants are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent, making them look and feel like your own teeth.

Compared to other dental procedures to replace teeth, dental implants are the most durable. With the right care, your dental implants could last a lifetime.

Dental implants in Orpington are fixed directly into your jaw and thanks to that, it’s much easier to eat and speak. With dentures, you have to learn to speak clearly without them slipping, but dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip.

Individual implants allow easier access between teeth. You’ll be able to go back to brushing your teeth, and flossing without any problem, increasing your oral health.

Am I a candidate?

To know if you’re a candidate for dental implants, there are a few requirements you need to meet. Firstly, you need to have healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implants. Arrange an appointment with one of our dentists at Orpington Dental Care and they will be able to give you a proper diagnosis, so you can consider the next step of your dental journey.

Also, if you suffer from any chronic disease, such as diabetes or heart disease, you’ll need to be evaluated by one of our dentists to see if you are a candidate for the procedure. If you are considering dental implants in Orpington, talk to one of our dentists to see if they are the right option for you.