As we age and bits of our bodies no longer work as well as they once did, life can get pretty limited. But if we work on our bodies, keeping fit and healthy for as long as we can, then we have a good chance of enjoying our later years rather than enduring them.

Thankfully, modern dentistry means that we can entirely replace teeth and what they do — no half measures and soft food diets any more, when you choose dental implants at Farnham Road Dental Practice in Guildford.

Why do we say half measures?

This is because traditional methods for replacing lost teeth — flexible dentures and bridges — only replace the crowns of the teeth, and not the roots. Imagine if you try to replace a tree by sticking one without roots on top of the ground. It’s not going to do a very good job of staying upright in the even the slightest breeze. And that is also the thing with teeth, they need their roots to do their job of biting and chewing properly.

The roots hold the teeth stable when you bite and chew. You can get that stability with a bridge, but you have to lose the use of two perfectly good healthy teeth to do so. These teeth are ground down to create abutments to fix the bridge onto. You can never have them back as normal teeth again.

Dentures rely on suction to the gums, and this works pretty well for a while, if you want to spend the rest of your life on a soft food diet. The gums give about a quarter of the stability of tooth roots, so really interesting chewy, crunchy foods are off the menu. Goodbye apples, goodbye steaks, hello soft mushy foods and fewer nutrients.

The other thing about implants is they keep your jawbone strong and healthy, acting as transmitter of the vibrations from biting and chewing that tells the jawbone to renew itself. Dentures and bridges can’t do this, and the jawbone quickly starts to resorb, shrinking in size and density. Before too long, dentures no longer fit and are even less good at chewing food. For food fans, surely implants are the only way to go.

People who have lost one, several or most of their teeth are likely to experience quite a few problems in the long run. Eating and speaking are affected with tooth loss and missing teeth can also have a negative impact on your oral health. Besides the obvious cosmetic effects, the loss of a tooth can lead to jawbone loss and eventually, further tooth loss.

Having said that, dental implants are the most effective method for preventing bone loss in the jaw. Unlike other tooth replacement options that merely sit on the gums, dental implants fuse with the jawbone and become a permanent part of the mouth. At Farnham Road Dental Practice, we use dental implants in Guilford to support a variety of replacement teeth including single crowns, dentures and bridges.

Understanding how dental implants work

Dental implants are small titanium artificial tooth roots that are surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace natural missing tooth roots. Since they are made of titanium, a metal which is compatible with human body tissue, dental implants have the ability to attach permanently to the jawbone, creating a stable foundation for replacement teeth, which then look, feel and function just like natural teeth.

How does bone loss work?

When teeth are missing or damaged beyond repair, many people opt for dentures and bridges since they are cheaper than dental implants. However, dentures and bridges do not replace missing tooth roots and this can lead to many problems down the line.

As soon as a tooth is removed, the jawbone stops being stimulated. The jawbone requires stimulation to maintain bone tissue and without it will start to recede. After some time, the receding bone can start to affect the surrounding teeth, making them loose and unstable. Combined with bone loss, this can lead to further tooth loss and a real change in the appearance of the face.

Unfortunately, dentures and bridges cannot prevent this from happening. However, dental implants ensure that the jaw receives constant simulation in the form of biting and chewing. For this reason, dental Implants are, by far, the most effective treatment for preventing bone loss and stimulating bone growth within the jaw.

Tooth loss is not a pleasant experience, but most people experience it at some point in their lives. Whether the result of gum disease, an accident or old age, missing teeth can compromise your oral health and wellbeing.

Replacing your missing teeth with dental implants can protect your oral and general health. Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants provide you with stability, restoring your ability to speak, bite and chew. At Farnham Road Dental Practice, dental implants in Guilford are our treatment of choice for patients who have lost one, several or all of their missing teeth. Besides their obvious aesthetic benefits, dental implants have many health benefits as well.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are replacement teeh that look, feel and function like natural teeth. These small titanium posts are surgically inserted into the jawbone after a tooth has been lost, to replace the missing tooth root. Because titanium is compatible with the human body, dental implants actually fuse with the jawbone creating a stable foundation for replacement teeth such as crowns, bridges and dentures.

Health benefits of dental implants

When you have missing teeth, the jaw that would normally support those teeth, will begin to deteriorate gradually. As a result, your jawbone can become soft or uneven, leading to bone loss. Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants prevent bone loss and also stimulate bone growth, keeping the jawbone healthy.

At the same time, dental implants act as placeholders, keeping your teeth aligned instead of letting them shift over the gaps created by the missing teeth. Dental implants also restore balance to your bite, promoting better eating and speaking.

Finally, dental implants can greatly improve your confidence and self-esteem in various social settings. Implant-supported replacement teeth are like natural teeth and if you take good care of them, they have the potential to last a lifetime.

Who is a candidate for dental implants?

Generally, dental implants are ideal for all patients who have lost one, several or all of their teeth due to injury, disease or decay. However, health and not age is a determining factor for dental implants. If you’re healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you’re probably healthy enough to have dental implants.

It is easy to think that losing a tooth is only going to affect your appearance. Unfortunately, tooth loss has many negative long-term consequences for your oral and overall health. We tend to picture teeth as individual units, but in fact, they are part of a complete and complex system. Teeth work together in balance, and problems can occur when they don’t.

If you have lost teeth because of an accident, gum disease or other causes, you may be considering dental implants. Unlike conventional tooth replacement options such as dentures and bridges, dental implants actually fuse with the jawbone and become a permanent part of your mouth. At Farnham Road Dental Practice in Guilford, we advise our patients to replace their missing teeth with dental implants in order to avoid additional dental work and further tooth loss in the long run.

Don’t ignore your missing teeth

Missing teeth can trigger a chain reaction of movement which could eventually affect jaw function and density. Tooth movement can negatively affect your bite and lead to misaligned or gapped teeth. Your ability to eat properly will also be compromised. You may find yourself deciding among the foods you ‘can’ eat, as opposed to the foods you actually want to eat. Depending on where your missing teeth are located, you may have to change your diet drastically and resort to unhealthy choices. Finally, gaps in your mouth can also lead to speech and pronunciation problems that can affect your social life. Luckily, all these problems can be overcome with dental implants.

Health benefits of dental implants

Essentially, dental implants are small titanium posts, which are surgically placed into the jawbone. Since they are made of titanium, a material that is compatible with the human body, they actually fuse with the jawbone, creating a stable base for replacement teeth. Besides keeping your jawbone healthy and strong, dental implants also help keep your natural teeth and gums healthy, as gaps in your smile are difficult to clean properly. Reduced jaw bone density from missing teeth will also leave you susceptible to other health issues, such as infections and further tooth loss. Dental implants prevent all these issues and restore the proper function of your teeth.

Teeth are essential for our well-being since they allow us to smile, communicate with others, and eat. Your teeth are vital for your health and longevity, but sometimes accidents happen. Whether you have lost one or more teeth due to injury, gum disease, tooth decay or old age, tooth loss has negative effects on your oral and overall health.

Even if you miss a single tooth, your body will gradually reabsorb bone tissue, increasing your risk of further tooth loss. Tooth loss can also have a negative effect on your self-esteem and damage your confidence for good. Fortunately, you can now replace your missing teeth with dental implants at Farnham Road Dental Practice in Guilford. Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants are durable, long-lasting and look and feel just like your natural teeth. This way you can continue eating your favourite foods and protect your oral health.

How do dental implants work?

Dental implants are small, titanium fixtures, which are surgically fixed into the jawbone and allowed to fuse with the bone tissue over the span of a few weeks or months. Unlike conventional dentures and bridges that simply sit on your gums, dental implants incorporate with bone tissue and prevent further deterioration of the jawbone, while encouraging its further growth. Essentially, dental implants act as replacements for the roots of missing teeth. Once they have healed completely, replacement teeth in the form of crowns, bridges or dentures are placed on top of them.

Health benefits of dental implants

Dental implants look, feel and act like natural teeth. Your dentist will show you how to take good care for your new implants and set up regular appointments and cleanings to ensure that your dental implants are healthy. With proper care and diligent brushing and flossing, dental implants can last a lifetime.

Once dental implants heal, most patients cannot tell the difference between them and their real teeth. Thus, normal, everyday activities such as eating, chewing and brushing your teeth are fully restored. More importantly, dental implants restore your natural jawbone by reversing the effects of bone loss. This goes a long way toward healthier teeth and gums.

To find out more dental implant health benefits, contact our dental practice today.

Long-term denture wearers find that even if their dentures have been fitted carefully to their gums, or relined to fit again, jawbone loss continues to make it hard to keep them in place. Like any bone, the jawbone requires stimulation in order to remain healthy. In the case of the jawbone, much-needed stimulation is supplied from the chewing forces of natural teeth. Unlike dental implants which are incorporated into the jawbone, conventional dentures simply sit on the gums, being unable to prevent bone loss and absorption.

Poorly fitting and loose dentures can cause mouth sores and constant irritation, not to mention slippage and certain diet restrictions. Dentures do not restore more than 10% of your normal chewing power, meaning any hard or chewy foods are off limits. However, many patients who have lost most or all their teeth opt for dentures because they are much cheaper than dental implants. What if we told you that you can now combine both treatments at the fraction of the cost and regain your confidence to face everyday life back?

At Farnham Road Dental Practice in Guilford, we are here to help with your loose and unstable dentures. Modern dentistry has made it entirely possible to use a small number of dental implants (usually 2-4) to stabilise your denture, restoring its firmness and comfort. This way you can have a full set of functional teeth at a lower cost than a mouthful of individual dental implants or implant-supported bridges.

How denture stabilisation works

Stabilising your dentures with dental implants involves a minor surgical procedure, carried out under either local anaesthetic or sedation.

Our experienced dentists will plan your dental implants prior to your surgery, meaning that a full arch of teeth can be supported by between two and four dental implants. Once your dental implants are implanted into your jawbone, a healing period will follow, during which you may continue wearing your regular dentures. Once the dental implants fuse with the jawbone, your new dentures will be attached with special clasps on top of your dental implants.

Denture stabilisation with dental implants is ideal for full upper or lower dentures, although modern techniques also allow us to look at improving partial dentures as well.

Good care at home and regular visits to your dentist, will ensure the health and longevity of your implant-supported dentures.

Getting to know your dental treatment before you go ahead is an important way to prepare. When you are considering dental implants in Guildford with Farnham Road Dental Practice, we give you all the information you need to feel confident that they will work for you. There are lots of details when it comes to dental implants and we can discuss these with you.

Below are a few more interesting things you might like to know. If these lead to even more curiosity about dental implants then you can ask your dentist any questions that you have.

They have been around for a long time

Dental implants are gaining in popularity. They have also been the subject of a lot of research and technological advancements in the past 50 years. This makes them seem like a modern invention. However, the first evidence of dental implants dates back to around 600 AD and the Mayan people. They used pieces of shell to replace the mandibular teeth at the front of the mouth. Titanium has commonly been used since the 1950s because it is a bio-friendly material that promotes integration of dental implants into the jawbone.

You can have more than one tooth per implant

You can replace as many teeth as you like with dental implants. If you have multiple gaps then you will need more than one tooth to go in them. However, you may not need one implant per tooth. New, prosthetic teeth can be mounted on a denture or bridge and these are held in place by one or more implants.

They become like a part of your body

Dental implants are inserted into the jawbone. One of our dentists will carefully drill small holes in order to place them. The location of the holes will have been worked out carefully, in advance, after a thorough examination and mapping of your mouth. Once the implants are in place, your body will heal around them. This means that they are very secure and become a part of your jaw bone. The stabilisation process means that there is a harmonious relationship between the movement of the jaw and your new teeth. This is one of the qualities that makes dental implants feel so close to normal teeth.

At Farnham Road Dental Practice, we love talking to our patients about the treatments we have to offer. If you are curious about anything then come and ask us. We have worked with many patients and have experience adapting information to suit each individual.

We offer dental implants in Guildford as part of our range. Every treatment plan is a little different but there are some queries that we hear repeatedly. Below are a couple of the common questions that we hear. Whatever answers you need, we will do our best to provide them – just ask.

Who needs dental implants?

Dental implants are for people who either have missing teeth or will have in the near future. You can use them to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. If more than one tooth is being replaced then it may be possible to mount them on a single implant depending on their position and the conditions in the mouth.

Patients who want dental implants need to be in a reasonably good state of health. While the surgery required is minor, it still entails a local anaesthetic and a healing period afterwards. You need to be able to undergo both of these things without undue distress. There are a couple of medical conditions that can affect the success rates of implant surgery. Your dentist will ask you a series of questions during your first consultation to see if you are in any high-risk categories. This does not necessarily mean you will be unable to go ahead but you may need further preparation.

Does it hurt?

During the surgery, you will have a local anaesthetic applied in order to numb the area. Rarely, patients need or request a general anaesthetic. Either way, this means that you will not feel any discomfort during the process. You may feel some soreness afterwards and notice some swelling. There might also be a little bleeding. Your dentist will give you care advice for the days and weeks following. You should be able to alleviate any discomfort with normal painkillers.

Strenuous activity or physical work should be avoided for a couple of days afterwards. Gradual reintroduction of a normal activity load is advised to give your body a chance to heal after getting dental implants.

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.

There is only one way to permanently replace your missing teeth, and that is by using dental implants. At The Guildford Dentist we can use implants combined with dentures, crowns, or a dental bridge to replace anything from one to all of your natural teeth.

Implants replace the root portions of any missing teeth, not just making sure your new teeth stay firmly in your mouth at all times, but also helping to stop the jaw bone shrinking. When the natural tooth roots are missing for any period of time, the jaw bone begins to resorb, which causes traditional dentures to become loose as well as having the potential to change the entire structure of your face, making you look old before your time.

Dental implants are titanium tooth roots that support bone growth. This means they are the most secure and most long-term solution to missing teeth. They are placed in direct contact with your jaw bone during a minor oral surgical procedure, which most people only need local anaesthetic for.

Once your implants are in position, a process called osseointegration begins, which sees your implants mesh with your jaw bone. In the first few days after surgery, you may experience mild discomfort, which can be managed by over-the-counter pain relief. This usually doesn’t last long, and most people return to regular activities the day after implant placement.

Your dentist may attach temporary teeth during the healing period, so you don’t need to worry about being left toothless. Alternatively, if you wear standard dentures, you should be able to keep using them during healing, after your dentist has adjusted them.

Once your new teeth are attached, you will enjoy all the functionality of a second set of natural adult teeth. This means that you will be able to eat whatever you like, with no foods off menu. You can speak clearly and confidently, and can enjoy an active social life without fear of slipping dentures spoiling a fun day out.

Dental implants and the new teeth attached to them require prudent dental hygiene and regular visits to the dental practice. Your hygienist will teach you how to clean your teeth effectively.