Since their first and successful experimental use in the 1960s, dental implants have enabled dentists to replace missing teeth easily and with lasting results. Conventional bridges usually involve filing down adjacent, healthy teeth to provide a stable foundation for supporting replacement teeth. Partial and full dentures, on the other hand, are often uncomfortable and can be very unstable, resulting in difficulty with speech and with eating. Dental implants are securely fixed into the jawbone, creating a strong foundation for replacement teeth.
In St John’s Wood, dental implants are available in many dental practices, including Aura Dental. Dental implants are surgically placed into the jawbone and a crown is placed on top of them via a connecting device. However, dental implants can also be used to support bridges or dentures with the help of special fixtures.
Benefits of dental implants in St John’s Wood
Being more stable than conventional tooth replacement options, dental implants allow patients to chew better and this facilitates the proper digestion of food. They also help restore normal speech. Moreover, dental implants replace one or several missing teeth by being harmoniously integrated into the mouth and by optimally adapting themselves to the gums.
More importantly, dental implants protect the jawbone and prevent its deterioration. By implants act as transmitters, sending vibrations from eating and talking into the bone, which stimulates cell renewal. Without this, the bone quickly starts to resorb, losing as much as 25% of its size and density I the first year after loss alone.
Caring for dental implants
Caring for dental implants is no different from caring for natural teeth. Patients must brush them and floss them daily, along with the rest of their teeth. Unlike dentures, dental implants do not require special adhesives, since they are fixed into the jawbone. They will also never need a filling or a root canal, as they cannot develop cavities.
While dental implants can never decay, they can be affected by gum disease. For this reason, good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist for professional cleaning and check-ups are encouraged in order to prevent gum disease.
