Replacing teeth in Herefordshire: dental implants
There are several different methods you could choose to replace your missing teeth in Herefordshire. Dental implants are a popular choice because not only are they permanent and fixed, unlike dentures, bridges and crowns, they also help the face to maintain its structure and prevent sagging.
At Warrendale Dental in Herefordshire, we know what it takes to deliver a dental implant procedure. With more than a decade of experience, we have fitted hundreds of dental implants in Herefordshire. Here’s our handy guide:
Step 1: consultation
Our dentist will check your suitability for implants. Medical conditions and lifestyle factors such as smoking or diabetes can affect the success of implant surgery, and you will also need to have sufficient density in your jawbone to receive the implants. There is the option to have a bone graft or sinus lift to increase this.
Step 2: treatment plan
Your dentist will develop your custom-made treatment plan, depending on where and how many implants you need. The implants are then created as small titanium posts, which will mimic your natural tooth roots.
Step 3: surgery
As with any minor surgery, you will need to follow certain rules before undergoing the procedure, which your dentist will advise you of. You will be under local aesthetic and can also ask for further sedation if you feel nervous. The dentist will drill small holes into your jawbone to fit the implants, then fix them in place. Another magical thing about dental implants is that they are biocompatible: this means that they bond with the body’s natural structures. The jawbone grows around the implant in a process called osseointegration.
Step 4: healing
It takes 2-6 months for the implants to fully integrate. Immediately after surgery you may need to take over-the-counter pain medication for a day or two, and you will need to keep to a restricted diet for a couple of weeks to give the implants space to heal.
Step 5: replacement tooth
The new tooth is then fitted onto the implant, through an abutment, which is a fixture that connects the implant to the replacement tooth.
Step 6: maintenance
Clean and maintain your dental implants in Herefordshire as you would your natural teeth.