Dental Implants – Introduced By Lighthouse Dental In Ipswich

23 / 05 / 2017

Dental Implants – Introduced By Lighthouse Dental In Ipswich

For Strong And Stable Tooth Replacement, It’s Hard To Beat Dental Implants

Losing a tooth can have a devastating impact on a person’s appearance, especially if it is a visible front tooth. Few people will opt to simply leave a gap where it can be seen when they smile and will usually investigate the options available to replace it. Traditional tooth replacement methods include a bridge or a partial denture, and whilst these do offer an effective cosmetic option, there are some compromises in terms of functionality.

However, there is an excellent alternative and here at the Lighthouse Dental Practice in Ipswich, we are pleased to offer our patients an increasingly popular and successful procedure known as dental implant placement.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a screw-like object which is made from titanium and is placed into the jawbone in the area where tooth loss has occurred. It is then left for a period of approximately three months, during which time, the implant and bone fuse, leaving the patient with a very secure artificial tooth root. Once this process is complete, a dental crown is then attached to give a strong and stable replacement tooth.

Does the procedure hurt?

Although some people wince at the thought of a hole being drilled into their jawbone, the reality is that this procedure should cause no more discomfort than many other invasive dental procedures. You will be given a strong local anaesthetic which will minimise pain throughout the procedure and dental sedation is available for patients who request it.

Can anyone have the procedure?

Most people can have the procedure immediately but some patients may require a prior bone graft or sinus lift to regenerate sufficient bone into which the implant can be placed. Long-term tooth loss and other factors, such as gum disease, can degrade the bone and leave insufficient bone structure to allow a successful procedure unless bone grafting is completed beforehand.

Can they replace more than one tooth?

Yes, implants can be used to replace non-adjacent missing teeth using individual implants. Where consecutive teeth, or even a full arch of teeth are missing, dental implants can also be used to restore your mouth. For a few consecutive missing teeth, implants may be used to support a bridge.

Unlike traditional bridges, this can be fixed without having to prepare the adjacent natural teeth to support the bridge. For full arch replacement, four or more dental implants can be used to support either a fixed bridge or dentures, providing a full set of strong and secure replacement teeth.

If you are missing teeth and currently have a gap, or perhaps find your current dentures to be uncomfortable, why not arrange an appointment with us at our modern Ipswich dental practice to discuss the possibility of having dental implants placed? You can contact the Lighthouse Dental Practice either by using the form on our website or by speaking to our friendly reception team by calling us on 01473 257 379.

We are here to help you.
If you would like to speak to a member of our friendly team about any of the issues in this article please visit our contact page or call us on 01473 257379.