Mirror, mirror on the wall, who are dental implants for?

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we strive to make dental implants in Harley Street available to everyone who wants them. If you look in the mirror and you see anything about your smile that makes you feel less than the fairest of them all, maybe we can help to turn things around for you. The way you look is directly linked to the way that you feel about yourself and, if you have gaps in your teeth, this can lead to low self-esteem and a reluctance to smile.

Dental implants in Harley Street are a tooth replacement method that we offer at Harley Street Dental Clinic. One of the reasons why they are so popular is that they restore someone’s smile in a way that looks natural. At the same time, they offer a high level of functionality.

Dental Implants in Harley StreetThese are just some of the steps that you need to take to get dental implants in Harley Street:

  • Know what you want – next time you look in the mirror, decide what you want to see. Harley Street Dental Clinic can make recommendations based on our experience and what we know about the ideal look for teeth. However, your preferences and unique vision of a beautiful smile may be different to that of another patient, so your input is important. If you notice more than just gaps that you want to address, you can talk to us about all the aspects that you see. We can create a smile makeover plan for you;
  • Fitting – we typically fit all of your dental implants in Harley Street at the same time. Of course, each patient has a unique treatment schedule, so we will let you know roughly how long your treatment will take, how many implants you need, and so on, when you come to us for your initial consultation;
  • Healing – taking care of your dental implants after they are fitted is an important part of the whole process. We help you by scheduling follow-up appointments and by giving you plenty of at-home care advice. You will gradually be able to apply more pressure to your dental implants as the days, weeks and months go by.

Don’t wait any longer

Missing teeth can have a detrimental effect, not just on your overall confidence but on your surrounding healthy teeth. Whether it be only one tooth or several, the poor health effects can accumulate the longer gaps are left. More gaps means more space for food to get caught up in. Even with brushing and flossing, sometimes those hard to reach places are just too hard to reach. This can result in periodontal disease or gum disease. Moreover, missing teeth can cause nearby healthy teeth to shift causing unnecessary gaps.

Another problem that can occur is jaw bone deterioration. When you are missing several teeth then there is nothing there to stimulate the jawbone which causes it to deteriorate.

Dental Implants in Harley StreetIt’s not just about the poor dental health effects missing teeth can have on a person. At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we know all too well the importance of looking your best. Looking great means you feel your best and a complete smile will offer you that.

What can you do to replace missing teeth?

Dental implants in Harley Street are the most obvious answer to missing teeth. They are designed to look, feel and function exactly like normal teeth, even going as far as to stimulate the jawbone in a way that will stop it deteriorating.

If it is just a single missing tooth you need replaced, we will ensure that tooth matches the same colour and shape so as to blend in perfectly with the rest of your natural teeth.

In Harley Street, dental implants are offered when single teeth, several teeth or even whole arches need to be replaced. During a minor surgical procedure, small titanium rods are inserted into the jawbone. These would be classified as the ‘root’ if it were a real tooth. These then fuse to the jawbone and, after that, the replacement tooth is then affixed to the top. It really is that simple. There will be a little healing time for the rods to fuse but the length of this depends on the initial health of the patient as well as a number of other factors.

So for a new, complete look ask about dental implants in Harley Street.

A brief history of tooth replacement

Dentures have served the human race well. Evidence of their use up to 3000 years ago has been found. From the 16th century onwards, the introduction of sugar into the western diet saw a boon for tooth decay. The cheaper the sticky substance became, the greater the need for replacement teeth.

In the 18th century, dentures were made of ivory and human or animal teeth. The first porcelain dentures were also created then but were viewed as too white to be convincing as real teeth. In the early 19th century, porcelain was mounted on gold plates to provide replacement teeth, which was then superseded by vulcanite rubber. Our modern-day dentures are made of acrylic resin, nylon or metal.

Dental Implants in Harley StreetDentures are still the most affordable choice for replacing an entire set of teeth. However, they aren’t the most effective.

Dental implants in Harley Street provide stable and long-lasting restorations that re-establish the function of your lost teeth, as well as the look. Dentures rely on suction to the gums for their stability. Over time, the gums recede, especially without any natural teeth in them. This is why dentures become loose. No matter how well designed they are, eventually dentures will lose their grip.

This isn’t an issue for dental implants in Harley Street. The implants are fixed into the jawbone and replace the root as well as the crown of the tooth. This is what gives them their stability, and as long as the jawbone remains healthy and the gums free of disease, the implants are anchored in place. Because the implants are made from titanium, a material that the body accepts as natural tissue, the jawbone grows blood vessels and bone tissue around the implant, securing it in place as if it were a natural tooth.

No more worry about your teeth accidentally falling out or wobbling around in your mouth, causing speech difficulties. And no need to take them out to clean.

And dental implants in Harley Street maybe more affordable than you think. A whole set of dentures can be stabilised on just 8-10 implants.

Talk to our implant surgeons at Harley Street Dental Clinic today and consign your loose dentures to the history books.

Dental implants in Harley Street: keeping old age in its place

Most people associate missing teeth with old age – the inevitable wear and tear that leads to replacement crowns and maybe further down the line a full set of dentures. As we age we have to accept the breakdown of the body and that everything isn’t as sprightly as it used to be.

Dental Implants in Harley StreetHowever, this isn’t something you factor in when you’re in your 20s. Everything works great, you can push your body to its limits on a daily basis with little or no consequence. Except if you lose a tooth. Contact and extreme sports such as hockey, snowboarding and mountain biking are an easy way to knock out a tooth or two and then you are immediately faced with a so-called problem of old age – and several decades to live with it.

Wearing a denture for the rest of your life isn’t an appealing prospect, especially if it’s your front teeth. Dentures rely on suction to the gums for their stability and as the gums recede over time, they become loose. Wearing even a partial denture can affect speech and food choices – certain crunchy and chewy foods can be off the menu.

Once a tooth is lost, the jawbone starts to deteriorate. It can lose up to 25% of its density in the first year after a tooth is lost. This can cause the face to sag. And if the gap isn’t filled, surrounding teeth may start to drift into it and also become loose.

How to prevent having to deal with these premature problems of old age? Dental implants in Harley Street replace the root as well as the crown, so it’s just like having your natural tooth back. They are screwed into the jawbone and secured there by osseointegration – the body views the implant as natural tissue and therefore bonds with it, growing blood vessels and bone around it. So, no more avoiding certain food, no more gum or jawbone shrinkage and no more speech impediment.

Dental implants in Harley Street give you the confidence to live without care again. Talk to the implant surgeon here at Harley Street Dental Clinic about how implants can help you today.

Feel proud of your smile with dental implants in Harley Street

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.

Dental Implants in Harley StreetWhat 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.

Powerful new teeth

Having dental implants in Harley Street will restore your dental function. Whether you’ve lost a single tooth in an accident, or a whole set of teeth for a range of reasons, we can provide long-lasting and fully-customised replacements. As well as looking natural, your new teeth will be stable, and securely fixed in your mouth.

Dental Implants in Harley StreetThe journey towards dental implants in Harley Street

It can take several months to receive your dental implants in Harley Street. At Harley Street Dental Clinic, the process begins with a consultation at our relaxed and welcoming dental practice. We’ll assess your dental history, and make sure your mouth and jawbone are in good enough condition to receive the implants. A bit of preliminary work might be needed before things get underway.

Then there’ll be a minor surgical procedure, during which the dentist will place small titanium posts into your jawbone. After a short period of rest, you’ll return to the practice to have the new teeth securely affixed to the posts.

Health benefits

You’ll experience several oral health advantages after having dental implants in Harley Street.

  • Because the jawbone forms a strong bond with the implanted posts, you can bite into your food and chew it just as you did with your natural teeth;
  • The new teeth are easy to clean, and you don’t need to remove them from your mouth at night;
  • Your smile will look much more appealing;
  • Your facial bone structure will maintain its integrity. You’ll avoid developing the sunken look sometimes associated with long-term tooth loss;
  • Speaking could be easier, as some words and phrases might be easier to pronounce once the implants are placed.

A better dental future

All of these benefits mean that choosing to have dental implants in Harley Street is a long-term investment in enhanced oral health. The numerous advantages will last for many years. If you look after the new teeth properly, they could last for decades. Our team has a wealth of experience in providing this treatment for all kinds of tooth loss.

Book yourself in for a consultation today, and find out how this contemporary technique could transform your dental experience.

Some things to look out for before and after your implant treatment

For many patients, treatment with dental implants is a very straightforward experience that involves minimal pain or discomfort. As a matter of fact, many patients report that implant surgery is less distressing that root canal treatment or tooth extraction surgery. However, some people are anxious about the procedure, mostly because they do not know what to expect afterwards.

Dental Implants in Harley StreetAt Harley Street Dental Clinic, we will plan your implant treatment in detail and let you get involved in the process, so you understand that dental implants in Harley Street are a simple procedure. Our experienced dentists will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth and create a personalised treatment plan with a detailed overview of the costs and treatments involved. Once we give you the green light for dental implants in Harley Street, your main focus should be on your implant surgery. However, it is always useful to know as much as possible about the aftercare of your dental implants.

Before the treatment

Planning in advance is always a good idea, but do not get too carried away. Follow these simple steps and you will be ready for your implant surgery:

  • Do not change your oral care routine prior to the surgery;
  • Do not take any medications prior to the surgery unless you are advised by your dentist;
  • Bring someone with you to help you get home after the operation;
  • You may not need pain relief, but you can stock on some over-the-counter painkillers for after the surgery.

After the treatment

When your implant surgery is completed, your dentist will ask you to keep the gauzes on the implant sites for a few hours, since the bleeding is likely to continue for a little while. Change the gauzes with fresh ones as you see fit. If the bleeding continues for more than 2-3 days after the operation, visit your dentist immediately since this may be a sign that your dental implants in Harley Street have not properly fused.

To avoid swelling, apply a cold compress directly outside the implant sites, but do not apply too much pressure. Restrict your activities for a few days and introduce solid foods to your diet again after a week.

Dental implants in Harley Street: the reasons why

What’s the real impact of losing a tooth? Having a gap in your smile doesn’t look great for sure – unless you are planning a career as a pirate – so aesthetics is part of it.

Underneath the surface, the body is shifting and changing to accommodate the lost tooth and not in a good way. Our jawbone needs the tiny taps it gets every day from tooth roots to keep growing. This gives it the message that it’s needed in this location and to keep renewing itself. Once the tooth is gone, the jaw isn’t receiving this message anymore.

Dental Implants in Harley StreetThe body believes bone is no longer needed here and starts to dissolve, so the nutrients can be used elsewhere. Intelligence at work – but not so great for your facial structure. Jawbone loss often leads to that sagging face look, which can make you look older than you are.

Surrounding teeth can also drift into the gap left by the lost tooth, and even become loose themselves over time.

Having a missing tooth also affects how you eat and the nutrition you can take in. You may chew in a lop-sided fashion to compensate for the lost tooth, put uneven pressure on your other teeth, causing them to wear out more quickly. And if it means that you have to avoid certain chewy or crunchy foods – such as raw vegetables and fruit, your nutrition levels are going to suffer too.

As you can see, there are quite a few consequences to living with a missing tooth. And the more you lose, the greater the impact.

That’s why at Harley Street Dental Clinic, we offer dental implants to address the problem of missing teeth. While other replacement methods such as dentures or bridges restore the look of your teeth, they can’t bring back the biting and chewing ability that dental implants in Harley Street can. Implants replace the root as well as the crown, creating a secure and durable restoration. This means you can eat what you like, and your facial structure is maintained.

Drop in and book your free consultation at our clinic in Harley Street. Dental implants don’t just look good, they give you back fully functioning teeth.

Improve your oral health and quality of life with dental implants in Harley Street

If you have missing teeth and you have been wanting to get rid of your loose and uncomfortable dentures for quite some time now, then dental implants may be a viable option for you. Considered as the most reliable and long-lasting tooth replacement solution by many dentists, dental implants replace missing tooth roots and restore your oral function almost completely.

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we care for and about you, and we make your smile and oral health our top priority. We offer quality dentistry combining innovative technology and the most advanced techniques with patient care and personalised treatments to suit your individual needs. Our experienced dentists will examine your teeth thoroughly and help you decide if you are a good candidate for dental implants.

Dental Implants in Harley StreetWhat are dental implants?

Dental implants are tiny titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes for missing teeth. The bone has the ability to bond with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth such as crowns, dentures and bridges.

Advantages of dental implants

Dental implants have many benefits compared to conventional dentures and bridges. Unlike bridges, there is no cutting down of adjacent, natural teeth for support. Since they integrate into the jawbone, they prevent bone loss and gum recession, which often accompany bridges and dentures. Moreover, they are firmly attached to the jawbone and cannot become loose like dentures. Dental implants will restore your oral function and allow you to speak and eat with comfort and confidence. Overall, they will greatly improve the quality of your life.

Who is a good candidate for dental implants?

Most patients can have dental implants as long as they are in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant. Patients with active gum disease cannot have dental implants, unless their condition is treated. Patients with diabetes or heart disease need to have their condition stabilised to be considered for dental implants. Last but not least, smokers are encouraged to quit before having dental implants, because nicotine can hinder the healing process.

How to take good care of your Harley Street dental implants

Taking good care of your dental implants is really important for long-term success. Thorough oral hygiene is necessary to prevent gum disease or other infections around the implants. With proper oral care and regular check-ups and cleanings, you can keep your new teeth healthy for a very long period of time.

Dental Implants in Harley StreetAt Harley Street Dental Clinic, we believe that dental implants are a viable restoration option and offer more benefits compared to conventional bridges and dentures. Our experienced dentists will guide you the implant procedure and give you helpful tips on how to take good care of your dental implants in Harley Street. Home care is an important part of any oral care routine; however, it should be complemented with regular visits to the dentist for a complete oral care plan.

What can happen if you fail to take care of your dental implants?

Just like your normal teeth, dental implants can develop problems without daily care. Gum disease is one of the most common problems related to poor implant maintenance. However, it can be successfully treated and is reversible if caught early. Unfortunately, this can progress to bone loss, a condition also known as peri-implantitis, and implant failure.

What should your dentist check during your implant examination?

For an accurate assessment of the health of your dental implants in Harley Street, our dentists will need to probe and measure the gums around the dental implants, check and compare x-rays annually, check the bite and carefully examine all of the components that are attached to the dental implants to make sure that they are functioning properly.

As with your natural teeth, you and your dentist must collaborate in order to ensure the longevity of your dental implants. Dental implants cannot develop cavities, but are prone to the same wear-and-tear as natural teeth.

Schedule your appointment

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we are happy to help you if you are concerned about the health of your dental implants. Schedule an appointment with us today and our dental team can take a look at your dental implants and help you keep them for healthy for a long time.