How can tooth loss be treated?
What are the causes of tooth loss?
One of the leading causes of tooth loss is tooth decay. This is a shockingly common dental condition, which affects patients of all ages across the entire world. Tooth decay is mostly caused by bacterial overgrowth occurring in the mouth. Our oral cavity is the home of numerous microorganisms, which make up the natural microflora of our body. Some of these bacteria secrete acids while digesting the sugar remains from our food, which can contribute to the erosion of our teeth. Another important cause of tooth loss is dental trauma. Dental trauma does not always result in a whole tooth getting knocked out, but it often does. Regardless of the severity of the injury, visit your dentist as soon as possible to avoid potential further complications. Gum disease can also result in tooth loss if it is left untreated and allowed to advance. Gum diseases or periodontal diseases are also caused by the overgrowth of bacteria, through inducing chronic inflammation, which damages the tissues. If tooth loss has already occurred to you, do not worry: the dental implants Herefordshire we provide at Warrendale Dental can treat tooth loss.
How do dental implants work?
Dental implants Herefordshire are small appliances, which appear to be similar to a screw. They are made out of titanium, which is a metal with special properties with regards to medicine. Titanium is not rejected by the body when used in implants, and it integrates into our tissues as if it were our own tissue. This makes titanium an excellent material for the manufacturing of implants. Dental implants are inserted into the jawbone with surgery, where they integrate into the bone through a process known as osseointegration. This allows dental implants to be able to withstand the unbelievably large amounts of pressure exerted on our teeth by the masseter muscle during chewing and biting. After the surgery the wound has to be left to heal. After approximately 4-6 months if the implant healed sufficiently, the replacement teeth are attached on top of the implants. After this, no special care is needed: just brush and floss your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day and occasionally use an antibacterial mouthwash.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants have numerous benefits. One of the most important benefits is that if the implantation is successful, it is likely to last for almost a lifetime assuming appropriate oral hygiene. Once a tooth is lost, the bone surrounding it starts to disintegrate, which can result in localised osteoporosis and even further tooth loss. Another important benefit of an oral implant is that as dental implants are perceived by the body as roots, they can prevent this process from happening. The sooner you get implants the less likely it is that this process damages your jawbone. Dental implants Herefordshire are very resilient, and some patients even describe them as stronger than their natural teeth! If you are interested in getting dental implants, visit our website for further information and our contact details.