Dental implants Bristol
Replacing a single tooth
Implant Home | Replacing a Single Tooth | Replacing Several Teeth | Replacing All of Your Teeth/Loose DenturesWhat are the advantages of a single tooth implant over a bridge or denture?
A dental implant provides several advantages over other tooth replacement options. In addition to looking and functioning like a natural tooth, a dental implant replaces a tooth without sacrificing the health of neighbouring teeth. The other common treatment for a single space, a tooth supported bridge, requires the adjacent teeth to be ground down to support the bridge and this significantly increases the risk of long term problems.
A removable denture does not involve trimming down teeth but, over the long term, may still lead to gum problems and decay around the adjacent teeth due to food trapping and plaque build up.
Because a dental implant will replace your tooth root, the bone is better preserved. With a bridge or denture some of the bone that previously surrounded the lost tooth begins to shrink and this leads to visible gum recession. Dental implants integrate with your jawbone, helping to maintain the bone and reduce gum shrinkage.
In the long term, a single implant can be more aesthetic and easier to keep clean than a bridge. Gums can recede around a bridge, leaving a visible black line. Cement holding the bridge in place can wash out, allowing bacteria to decay the supporting teeth. Very few bridges turn out to be a life long solution, most lasting about ten or fifteen years. When a bridge fails it often causes irreversible damage to the supporting teeth.
How will the implant be placed?
Firstly, the implant, which looks like a screw or cylinder, is placed in to your jaw and the gum is closed over it. Intravenous sedation is available for this procedure. Over the next two to four months, the implant and the bone are allowed to bond together to form an anchor for your artificial tooth. During this time, a temporary tooth replacement option can be worn over the implant site.
The second stage of the procedure is to expose the implant and attach an extension. This small metal post, called an abutment, completes the foundation on which your new tooth will be placed. Your gums will be allowed to heal for a couple of weeks following this procedure but a temporary denture or bridge can continue to be worn during this time.
Occasionally it is possible to combine the first two stages so that the implant shows through the gum immediately after placement. This shortens the over all treatment time considerably.
Finally a replacement crown is custom made for you and cemented to the abutment. After a short time, you will experience restored confidence in your smile and your ability to chew and speak naturally.
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e-mail : jim.toms@ukrtc.net