When an individual faces tooth loss, whether through natural causes or via accidental damage it can be all too easy to leave the area untreated due to a lack of understanding of the implications of doing just that.
When a tooth or numerous teeth are no longer in place the bone structure of the gum can recede over time and further problems can occur to the surrounding teeth. This is where Dental Implants Clapham comes in.
What Are They?
A dental or oral implant is a small titanium screw that is inserted into the jaw bone providing a secure post for crowns, bridges and in some cases the restored natural tooth. By having this post inserted into the jaw bone, the area surrounding the post becomes stimulated and new, healthy bone grows around the implant creating a strong base for the tooth restoration.
What Does This Procedure Entail?
When opting to have implants it is important to understand that this procedure is quite invasive and takes some healing time.
Luckily, a local anaesthetic will be administered to the area minimizing the discomfort during the procedure. This is of extreme importance as the patient needs to remain as comfortable and still as possible during the procedure due to the jawbone being exposed and drilled into.
Whilst this all sounds very daunting, the procedure is carried out regularly on a day to day basis and is nothing to worry about. Once the screw is inserted a temporary crown or bridge will be put in place whilst the area heals. It is during this time that a little discomfort may occur but it is important to contact the dental practice if this discomfort becomes severe and interrupts your daily life.
Can This Procedure Be Done On The NHS?
Whilst in most cases of tooth loss this is the preferred method of treatment in modern dentistry. Unfortunately, it is considered by the NHS to be a cosmetic treatment and therefore it is only in special cases that consider the treatment to be due to medical reasons that it can be carried out on the NHS.
For those who do not have a medical reason for this treatment, a lot of dental practices offer payment plans and therefore it is always worthwhile having this discussion with the practice before making any decisions.
Can Anyone Have Implants?
Whilst there is no upper age limit on having this particular procedure there are a variety of other factors which need to be considered when thinking about implants.
For instance, if the patient’s oral hygiene has been at a low standard for a long period of time it will be highly likely that they suffer from gum disease which when left can infiltrate the bone.
The bone structure needs to be in a healthy condition to enable the implants to set firmly in place. Without this stable structure, the treatment will most likely be ineffective and cause further problems down the line.
