When it comes to replacing teeth with dental implants Guildford, it can be one of the most effective methods of returning a natural looking and feeling tooth. Read on to find out how!
Stabilising first
The start of the treatment at our practice is a need to stabilise, which we will determine with an assessment. If your implant is going to be restoring a tooth long-lost to extraction or trauma, a new socket will have to be formed in your jaw. If you have lost teeth due to gum disease or trauma, our first priority is to stabilise your remaining teeth and return your gums back to health, not only to reduce any further losses, but any form of implantation is heavily dependent on the health of your gums. This could involve a course of antibiotics or a prescription for anti-inflammatory steroids, as well as prescription strength high fluoride toothpaste recommended by our practitioner.
Reconstruction
During reconstruction, our priority is to return function back to your teeth. There is always some thought given to aesthetics at this stage of treatment, but stable and strong teeth are the goal. After all necessary fillings are carried out, as well as any crowning or other reconstructions, replacement can be considered to close the gaps.
Replacing teeth
Teeth can be replaced by using partial dentures, either removable or fixed in place. Wired bridges require healthy adjacent teeth to be attached to. In the best case scenario, they can reduce the lifespan of a natural tooth that they are wired to; this can be particularly problematic if there is widespread damage or decay.
Multi-teeth replacement
Lost multiple teeth adjacent to one another are commonly resolved with a bridge. What stops the migration of other teeth and returns the function is something fitted in this space. A limitation of such partial dentures is the way that they spread the load, normally transmitted into the jawbone out over the gum. When well fitting, this can work as the surface area is matched, but with the loss and stress to the jawbone it begins to recede. Calcium is recycled and mass reduces; this produces a gaunt appearance, but also shrinks and narrows the gum. Any prosthetic made to fit the original gum which will now be loose, as it moves and rubs, this can easily break and damage the soft and delicate skin of gum allowing infections to set in and chronic mouth ulcers, which make dentures extremely unpleasant to wear.
Dental implants Guildford can be used as anchors for a bridge, at either end. Allowing them to be used independently of surrounding healthy teeth and not placing additional stress on other teeth, to be used at the ends of the dental arches.
In the event of mass extractions where an entire dental arch of teeth is removed by our dentist, a full denture may be deemed as appropriate. Dental implants Guildford, create immobilised dentures, which are incapable of rubbing or moving during everyday use, making them a relatively convenient implementation of the standard full denture. It does mean that cleaning has to be done by brushing rather than overnight rinsing, so many patients can continue their normal habits and this helps with making their denture feel an integral part of them. If you think dental implants might be advantageous for you, please come and talk to us at Farnham Road Dental Practice, where we will be glad to offer our help and advice.