Almost sixty years after their introduction, dental implants remain a reliable and successful treatment for missing teeth. Where they used to be too expensive and out of reach for most patients, nowadays dental implants are more mainstream and affordable than ever. While they are still more expensive than dental bridges and traditional dentures, they are considered a great investment because they do not need to be replaced every few years.
In recent years, dental implants have undergone major improvements, most of which are related to the technology behind them. Dental implants in Herefordshire are strong, durable, and blend in seamlessly with the rest of the teeth. Dentists such as Warrendale Dental Care aims to provide patients with the highest standards in implant dentistry.
The Implant Surface
For many years, it was believed that smooth-surfaced implants are better when it comes to the fusion between the implant and the jawbone. However, modifications to the surface of dental implants have been studied thoroughly and results have shown that rough-surfaced dental implants improve the biological process known as osseointegration, which refers to the fusion between the dental implant and bone tissue. Dental implants in Herefordshire are therefore screw-shaped with rough surfaces, enabling the bone to fuse with the titanium implant more quickly.
Immediate Loading Implants
For many years, dentists believed that titanium dental implants should always be left to heal for several months before mounting replacement teeth on top of them. The healing process protects the implant from the forces generated by biting and chewing that could compromise its position in the jawbone.
However, today immediate loading dental implants in Herefordshire have the same success rates as traditional dental implants. Patients leave the dental practice with temporary replacement teeth attached to their dental implants and therefore retain some dental function while they wait for their permanent replacement teeth to be attached. Patients will nonetheless need to stick to a soft food diet for a while to give their implants the best chance of healing.
These advances in implant treatment have improved the patient experience and made dental implants more popular than ever. Patients interested in dental implants in Herefordshire should speak to a trained implant dentist to find out more.
