People lose teeth all the time; through trauma, when teeth are knocked out, or due to decay, gum disease or the ageing process. Whatever the reason for losing your teeth, they will need to be replaced, both for aesthetic and functional reasons. The most common treatments for missing teeth are either a denture or a fixed bridge. However, dental implants in Guildford are now becoming a more popular treatment to replace missing teeth. This is because they provide a long-term solution, slow down bone loss and preserve nearby healthy tooth tissue.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants in Guildford are an artificial replacement for the root portion of your natural tooth. They are anchored into a pre-drilled socket in your jaw-bone to support a crown, bridge or denture. Dental implants are made from titanium, a material that is well tolerated by bone and integrates easily with bone tissue. During the placement of dental implants, the main objective is to achieve close contact between the outer surface of the implant and the surrounding bone tissue. This is so they can fuse together creating a stable support for the new teeth.

Am I suitable?

At Farnham Road Dental Practice in Guildford, dental implants can be placed in patients of any age, provided that they have a sufficient quantity and quality of bone tissue. Healthy individuals that have a good oral hygiene regime are generally suitable candidates for dental implants.

Sometimes, some patients may not be suitable for dental implants in Guildford. This may be the case for heavy smokers. Smoking slows down and hinders the healing process, putting the success of your dental implants at risk.

Another reason you may not be suitable for dental implants could be periodontal gum disease. All active gum diseases must be treated prior to any procedure, to ensure the longevity of dental implants. Periodontal gum disease is a major cause of bone loss, which could mean you do not have enough available bone to support any dental implant procedure.

However, even if your jawbone has low bone density, you may still be able to have implants after a bone graft or sinus lift.