Nobody wants to lose teeth. Even if the teeth you’ve lost came from the back of your mouth, the gaps they left will significantly impact your life and health. As much as teeth are essential to the aesthetics of your smile, they serve an important function by helping you break down your food while contributing to the overall well-being of your gums and jaws.
Although there are several ways to replace missing teeth, dental implants are by far the most effective. A dental implant mimics the support offered by your tooth roots, which sets it apart from other replacement methods. A titanium post will bed down into your jaw to hold a new, natural-looking crown in place.
Before choosing to get dental implants, there are several things you will want to know. How are dental implants placed? How many teeth can you replace with implants? Who can have dental implants?
In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about restoring the look and function of your smile with dental implants.
What Are the Different Types of Dental Implants?
There are several types of dental implants, and the type you’ll need will depend on how many teeth need replacing.
- Single implants have one titanium implant to support a custom-made crown
- All-on-4 are full-arch implants. We use four to six well-positioned implants to support an entire arch of teeth.
- Implant-retained bridges are dental bridges that span the gap left by multiple teeth. They are supported by implants instead of being attached to neighbouring teeth.
- Same-day teeth are the quickest way to get implants. This revolutionary technique leaves you with an instant replacement smile, without the wait.
Who can have dental implants?
Dental implants are perfect for anyone who has lost one or more teeth, but we’ll need to consider certain aspects of your health.
Because we place the implant directly into your jaw, your bone needs to be healthy. Weak or thin jawbones will cause the implant to fail.
If you’re a smoker, this can impact your ability to heal and affect your postoperative care. Quitting smoking will put you in better stead for a healthy recovery.
If you’re receiving radiotherapy or similar treatments or suffer from certain health conditions, this could impede your recovery.
During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss your oral and general health to ensure you’re a good candidate.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
Your motivation for getting implants might differ from everyone else’s. Here are some of the most common reasons for having implants.
A Natural Aesthetic
Whether you have a single tooth or an entire arch replaced, we’ll produce a custom-made, lifelike replacement to match your smile’s aesthetic. Your new teeth will look and feel like the real thing, so you’ll love your new smile and want to show it off to the world.
Put Your Favourite Meals Back on the Menu
Losing teeth often means missing out on some of the best food. Gaps can make it harder to chew food, and crunchier foods can easily dig into exposed gum.
Dentures are an option for replacing teeth, but they never provide the same confident bite without roots. Implants are the next best thing to natural roots, giving your bite the firmest foundation so you can eat confidently.
Keep Your Jaw Healthy
When you lose any teeth, the loss doesn’t end there. The area of the jaw that once supported a missing tooth will start to deteriorate. Over time, you’ll lose enough bone density to give your smile an aged appearance. Implants maintain the health of your jaw and prevent bone resorption.
Stop Your Smile From Moving
Gaps create attractive empty spaces for neighbouring teeth to call home. Dental drift occurs gradually but can leave you with crooked teeth and more gaps further along your smile. Replacing missing teeth stops the rest of your smile from shifting out of position.
Stop the Decay
While dental implants don’t necessarily stop tooth decay altogether, they do make it easier to care for your smile and keep cavities at bay. Gaps in your smile can become hot spots for plaque, increasing the risk of decay, gum disease, and other dental issues.
They Last!
Many dental implants placed by dentists decades ago are still going strong. Titanium won’t degrade, and your new smile could last for life with the proper care.
What To Expect From Dental Implant Placement
Having dental implants placed is a major commitment, but we’ll make the process as straightforward and comfortable as possible. Throughout your implant journey, we’ll let you know what to expect and answer any questions you may have.
The number of appointments you’ll need will depend on which type of implant you’re having. We’ll always provide you with an anaesthetic to manage discomfort.
Before we can do anything, we’ll need to assess your jaw to check if it can support implants. Your jaw needs to be strong and dense enough. Jaw health can deteriorate after you’ve lost teeth or experienced advanced gum disease.
We may suggest a bone graft or an alternative restoration if your jaw isn’t strong enough.
Once your implant is in place, your jaw needs to heal. During this time, a process called osseointegration will occur. This is where the bone fuses around the titanium to create a strong and supportive bond.
While your bone heals, we’ll provide temporary restorations. They look and feel great but are not as good as the made-to-measure teeth we’ll make for you.
How Do You Care for Dental Implants?
When you have dental implants, you’ll want your smile to remain healthy and look great forever. There’s nothing you need to do to care for your new smile that you shouldn’t already be doing.
Brush your teeth twice a day. Use a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Electric toothbrushes are very effective, but a manual toothbrush can also keep your teeth healthy.
Floss! Daily flossing removes bacteria and debris between your teeth and keeps your gums healthy. If traditional floss isn’t for you, use a water flosser or an interdental brush instead.
Mouthwash can also help. Don’t use it to rinse after brushing. Instead, use it at other times of the day to help in the fight against bacteria.
Finally, visit us for a checkup every six months and for routine hygiene appointments. Seeing your smile often helps us spot potential problems early, so we get a head start on fixing them before they cause damage.
Dental Implants in Edinburgh
Dental implants are the definitive way to restore a failing smile. At The Row Dental, our skilled dentists in Edinburgh use precision techniques coupled with the highest quality tools and materials to leave you with a lasting smile you can enjoy for life.
Contact us today to book your dental implant consultation in Edinburgh.
