When you have missing teeth, it is understandable that you may be feeling embarrassed about having gaps. You may find that you are trying to smile less and avoid photo opportunities when a well-meaning friend thrusts their phone in your direction. You may feel that people will think that you haven’t looked after your teeth properly, and while people can have teeth missing due to poor oral hygiene, there are other reasons that are beyond one’s control.
People can have missing teeth due to certain illnesses, medication or injuries, for example. Whatever the cause is of your missing teeth, you may be equally anxious about their aesthetic appearance. Thankfully, however, there is a way that you can replace your missing teeth that should give you the confidence to eat, talk and smile without the worry that your replacement teeth will loosen and let you down. Dental implants Nottingham are what it’s all about!
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are used to attach crowns, bridges or dentures securely to your jawbone. Using metal screws that are fixed to the jawbone, the replacement teeth are then attached to them. The screws fuse with the body’s tissues so that they shouldn’t move at all once they have healed, just like your natural teeth.
Do dental implants require major surgery?
Dental implants should be fitted in a day’s appointment, using local anaesthesia. During this appointment, temporary replacement teeth will be attached to the screws and after this, when the screws have finished healing with the body’s tissues, you will then need to have a second appointment with your dentist to have the permanent replacement teeth attached to the screws. While some patients may like to be sedated for the procedure, it shouldn’t be painful as the local anaesthetic numbs the areas concerned.
How long do implants last?
You may be pleased to learn that if you look after your dental implants properly, they could actually last you a lifetime! Looking after them is easy too; simply brush and floss as normal, and visit your dentist for your routine dental checkups. Your replacement teeth won’t be able to get cavities either, so they offer a great solution to your missing natural teeth.
Are there any other advantages to having dental implants?
One of the plus points that people get excited about is the fact that dental implants may help them to look younger. Yes, you did read that correctly! Sometimes, people’s faces can develop a shrunken appearance, but by having implants, you give your face the structure it needs to look less drawn. If you have experienced any difficulties with speech as a result of missing teeth, you should also find that this is alleviated once you have your replacement teeth fitted.
Anything else I need to know?
To find out more about dental implants and whether or not this would be the right treatment for you, you will need to book an initial consultation with a dentist who specialises in dental implants. You can find this out by asking your dentist for recommendations if they don’t offer this treatment themselves, or check out treatments offered by dental practices on their websites. When you have your initial consultation, the dentist will examine your mouth and assess what treatment options would work for you; you will then be able to make an informed decision about your treatment plan. If you do decide to have implants, you should then have a smile you can be proud of.
