Are Dental Implants Safe and How Long Do They Last?

Dental implants have been a major development in the dental industry and now many people are benefitting from the procedure. Designed to look and behave the same way as normal teeth they are incredibly natural looking and they are very difficult to tell the difference between them and normal teeth.

If you currently have missing teeth and feel self-conscious about it then dental implants are an excellent solution. Not only will your teeth look as good as new again but the effect they will have on your own self-confidence and sense of well being can be extremely positive.

Despite this, one of the main things that hold people back from having dental implants is fear. Fear about them being safe, will the procedure hurt? And will they last very long? These are quite natural fears to have but actually, there is no reason to worry.

Dental implants are a perfectly safe, well researched and well-established treatment that has been tried and tested and proven to offer many benefits. And that’s not just us saying that: The British Dental Health Foundation supports this view as well.

Whether you need all your teeth replacing or just a few, dental implants are a safe solution. It is a relatively painless process where a local anaesthetic is used. There may be a little discomfort after the treatment but this only lasts about a week and then everything feels normal again.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is fitted into the gum which makes it blend into the mouth better. This means having a strong titanium screw inserted into the jawbone through a surgical operation. It is a minor operation so there’s absolutely nothing to worry about with virtually no risk involved.

The result is a highly functioning tooth that helps to maintain the structure of the mouth but that also looks natural.

Once the implant is in place the dentist will fit an abutment on top, over which a crown will fit to complete the dental implant. This will be carefully colour-matched to ensure that it blends in well with the existing teeth.

A major benefit of having a dental implant fitted is that it can replace just a single tooth – there is no need for work to be carried out on other teeth to support it, such as when a dental bridge is fitted.

Using the latest in advanced technology and equipment our dental implant specialists at in Coventry can offer a same day service that helps you smile, eat and speak again with confidence.

How do dental implants work?

Dental implants do require the patient to undergo surgery as the screw is inserted into the jawbone.

This screw then essentially needs to fuse with the surrounding bone to become part of the structure of the mouth and provide the same rigidity you would expect from a natural tooth.

An abutment is then attached to the top of this screw which allows a crown to be fitted over the top.

The result is a replacement tooth that looks natural.

What are the advantages of having a dental implant?

Part of the problem of losing teeth is that they help to support the structure of the mouth – and in turn the face. When teeth are missing this is affected as the jawbone starts to recede where the tooth has been removed.

A dental implant helps to address this by adding support to the jawbone. In the case of bone mass being lost, dentists can perform a bone graft so that there is enough bone for the implant to connect with.

As well as helping to maintain facial structure in a way that surface tooth replacement such as dentures cannot, implants allow teeth to be replaced without any healthy teeth being affected.

When a dental bridge is used to replace lost teeth this needs to be fitted to adjoining teeth, which may need to have some of the surface removed to accommodate the crowns that will hold the bridge in place.

Although implants may require a greater investment at the time of treatment they offer a great solution to preserve the health of your mouth in the event of losing a tooth.

If you think that a dental implant is a treatment that you need, the best course of action is to speak to your dentist who will be able to either offer you advice and treatment or point you in the direction of a dentist who has additional experience in the field.

Although treatment for dental implants in the West Midlands can be more involved and expensive than other treatments, the natural-looking results are worth it. Both private and NHS solutions are available for your dental requirements.

To make an appointment to discuss dental implants in the West Midlands contact Bhandal Dental Surgery by using the online form or call the helpful team on 024 7668 6690.

Looking After Your Dental Implants

Similar to normal teeth, how long your dental implants last will very much depend upon how well you care for them. If you look after them appropriately and the jaw bone that they are connected to is healthy and strong, then dental implants can last for at least 15 years and in many cases, much longer than that.

After having dental implants we always advise our patients on the best way to care for their teeth and we strongly recommend that all regular maintenance appointments are kept so that the implants are well cared for.

Just like normal teeth, if you don’t look after your implants then they can develop problems that could lead to bleeding, soreness and gum infection so it pays to follow the cleaning and maintenance routine that is recommended.

Many of our patients have benefited from having dental implants fitted and the overall experience has enhanced their sense of well being, self-confidence and self-esteem.

Contact us now to find out more about our dental implant service. We would be happy to help you.