Missing teeth can happen to everyone, yet the effects are more harmful than you may think – even if your missing teeth are not directly visible when you smile. On the one hand, a gapped smile can cause a negative impact on your self-esteem and social life. More disturbingly, missing teeth that remain unreplaced can lead to the deterioration of the jawbone tissue and ultimately alter the shape of your face.
Waiting to replace your missing tooth (or teeth) for a long time can cause many problems – most of which are neither inexpensive or simple. At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we believe that dental implants in Harley Street are a valuable investment since they have proven to actually work just like real teeth. Want to learn more? Keep reading!
How dental implants work
Dental implants replace your missing tooth’s root structure as well as the visible crown. These small titanium posts are gently placed beneath the gum line, and are restored with a set of replacement teeth (either crowns, dentures or bridges – depending on the number of teeth you are missing and the dental implant solution you are after) after a healing period of several weeks (or even months). Dental implants are very effective compared to other tooth replacement options, because they do not simply cover the gums; instead, they interact with the jawbone, prevent its corrosion and promote the renewal of healthy bone tissue.
Preconditions for dental implants
In general, most people are good candidates for dental implants in Harley Street. However, since dental implants fuse with the jawbone in order to stabilise the replacement teeth that sit on them, adequate bone density is the most important condition for their success.
Children and young adults cannot have dental implants because their jawbone is not fully developed (and in some cases their missing teeth can also be regenerated). Bone grafts are sometimes used for patients with inadequate bone tissue; however, modern implant methods allow patients to have dental implants even if they have undergone extensive bone loss.
If you are pregnant, dental implants can wait until after you give birth. Dental implants are also not recommended for smokers, because smoking disrupts the healing process.