Are you missing teeth? Have they been knocked out in an accident, lost to decay or wear and tear? If so, you will know the difficulties that come from having gaps in your smile. Not only does it make eating and speaking more of a challenge, it can leave you feeling embarrassed to laugh or smile in public.
Dental implants in Harley Street can help you regain the confidence to smile again, and the full functionality of your teeth. This is because implants replace the whole tooth, from root to crown, unlike other restorations such as bridges and dentures, which only address the visible part of the tooth.
What are dental implants?
The implant itself is a tiny titanium screw that is fixed into the jawbone, replacing the tooth root. Because titanium is biocompatible – meaning that the body accepts it as natural tissue – the screw bonds with your bone, stimulating the blood vessels and bone tissue to grow around the implant. This secures it in place as much as a natural root. This provides not only a stable chewing foundation for the replacement crown to be fixed onto, but also supports your face and prevents it from sagging, as can happen with dentures.
How does it work?
The implant is fitted under a local anaesthetic and is no more painful than having a filling – in fact, it’s likely to be less so, as there are fewer nerve endings in the jawbone than the tooth. We know that for some patients, the idea of any dental procedure can be nerve-wracking, let alone implant surgery. If this is the case, you can opt to have conscious sedation. With sedation you will still be awake but very calm and may feel drowsy afterwards.
It takes several weeks for the implant to heal. When that is complete, you come back to the surgery, so we can fit your replacement tooth onto it, securing it in place so it acts just like a natural tooth.
Find out more
Come in for a free consultation here at Harley Street Dental Clinic and find out if dental implants in Harley Street can help you to smile again.