In the year 2021, there is a new way to restore a missing tooth or teeth, which does not involve glues, bridges or even wobbly dentures.
Known as oral implants, these nifty little titanium screws are inserted into your jaw through some careful surgery, and then you will need to give them some time to fuse. Typically, depending on your dentist’s advice, this can be between 3-6 months.
Once fused, you will then have your prosthetic tooth, or teeth attached, allowing you to bite into food and chew it as though they were your natural teeth. How great is that?
But there’s more! Before you decide whether dental implants Herefordshire are for you or not, read on to learn about some of their other benefits!
Longevity
So this may vary depending on factors such as your age at the time of fitting, the health of your jaw and lifestyle factors such as smoking and drinking, but on average an oral implant could last practically the rest of your life. You will also need to keep an eye out for gum disease, as this can shorten their lifespan too.
As mentioned earlier, they are fitted to the jaw and fuse, making them a permanent part of your mouth and making them a more permanent addition than any denture or fitted bridge.
Aesthetics
Many people worry that oral implants will look fake (well, the prosthetic crown part!)
The reality is that your dentist will craft your new tooth out of porcelain, and will shape and colour match it to blend in with your surrounding teeth. And so, when you smile, there will be no visual difference between your natural and prosthetic teeth.
If you are having an entire mouth of teeth replaced using oral implants, you can even ask your dentist to make the prosthetics whiter, so your smile will not only be functional when it comes to eating and biting, but it will look Hollywood worthy too!
Hygienic
Having a missing tooth or teeth can cause havoc with your dental hygiene.
Not only does the gap attract plaque, but the receding gums can also lead to the teeth moving about, creating more hiding spots for decay-causing bacteria to avoid your hygiene regimen.
An oral implant bypasses all of these issues and enables your teeth to stay in place, thus ensuring no hidden areas form in your mouth.
Digestion
It is easy to forget that teeth are important for digestion.
If you have missing teeth, you cannot grind food correctly, which can lead to issues such as acid reflux and heartburn. As implants restore the strength of your chewing, you can break down food correctly, allowing for easier and smoother digestion.
Health
As mentioned before, a gap in your teeth will attract plaque and bacteria which, if left unchecked, can lead to many secondary health issues. Excess plaque has been linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, strokes and even cancer, so having an oral implant fitted could actually help save your life. Brilliant!
