Implants
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is surgically anchored into your jaw bone to hold a replacement tooth or denture in place. In most cases this artificial root is a titanium screw that is placed surgically in the bone. The screw then fuses biologically with the living bone (a process called osseo-integration) to form a strong foundation upon which a crown or bridge can be placed.
The trend towards dental implants
Dental implants have rapidly grown in popularity since they were first placed in Europe in the mid 1960s.
Patients found that implants had numerous advantages over traditional treatments for replacing missing teeth, such as dentures, crowns, and bridges.
Dental tourism is becoming more popular. UK patients are travelling abroad for cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry.
Advantages of dental implants
Having replacement teeth fixed securely into your jawbone provides many advantages. They can :
- Eliminate the need for removable dentures altogether.
- Provide stability for dentures, thereby promoting denture self-confidence. This improves speech, appearance and chewing function.
- Eliminate the need to involve adjacent teeth in the construction of a bridge (thereby preserving valuable tooth tissue).
Teeth withening
A bright, white smile can make you look good and feel great. Patients who have experienced it say that the teeth whitening procedure helps them smile with confidence.
Tooth whitening involves a process that bleaches your teeth to achieve their ultimate natural whiteness. There are various tooth whitening systems available in the UK. Sytems such as BriteSmile can achieve this in around an hour.
In-surgery tooth whitening
Prior to the actual procedure, the cosmetic dentist will carry out a dental check-up to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy. You will be advised of any condition that may prevent the dentist from carrying out the treatment.
Your gums and lips will be protected from the bleaching agent to reduce the risk of sensitivity following the procedure. Any sensitivity that does occur usually disappears within 24 hours.
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A bleaching agent is applied to each tooth, and is then exposed to a ultra-violet light which activates the bleaching process. This part of the process is repeated three times to achieve the ultimate result in whitening.
You should consider teeth whitening before you have any dental restoration work so that the colour of crowns and veneers that are visible when you smile can be matched to your natural tooth colour after bleaching.
The treatment is suitable for most people and is particularly successful in removing unsightly stains left by smoking, coffee and certain foods. The results will vary for each individual depending on the natural shading of your teeth and the level of discolouration and staining present prior to the procedure.
Dental veneers
If you are uncomfortable with your smile because your teeth are uneven, oddly shaped, chipped, crooked or have other irregularities, Porcelain Veneers offer a natural-looking option, without orthodontics or braces.
Porcelain Veneers are used by cosmetic dentists for front teeth only and are used to straighten teeth, change the color and or shape of teeth and even close gaps between teeth.
Veneers are thin porcelain sheets (shaped to fit your specific teeth and mouth), which are bonded to the front of existing teeth, without removing substantial surface.
The result is a straight, even smile with teeth that are consistent in color and shape - A beautiful smile that will last for years to come.
Dental crowns
Dental crowns, and bridges offer a solution to missing teeth, and cna be made from metal, ceramic materials, or a combination of both.
Dental Crowns are caps made to fit over an existing tooth. They are often recommended following a root canal filling to protect the remaining tooth whose strength is often compromised by the extensive decay and infection that may have been present.
Bridge
Bridges are units of false teeth that are fixed to remaining natural teeth to fill a gap. A bridge may take the place of one or more missing teeth and the results can be excellent with good function and aesthetic results. With careful maintenance a well-made bridge can last many years. The bone in the jaw surrounding the missing tooth or teeth can continue to recede.
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