How Do Dental Implants Differ From Real Teeth?
If you’ve been considering getting a dental implant in Richmond then you’ve probably read that they look and feel just like natural teeth, and to some extent they function in a similar manner too. That said, they are very different, particularly in the way they’re attached to the surrounding bone, how they respond to dental disease, and how they’re maintained, and repaired. So let’s take a closer look.
Attachment
A person’s natural teeth are joined to the surrounding bone by a periodontal ligament which consists of collagen fibres that connect with the tooth on one side and bone on the other. Gum tissues add further support by using collagen fibres to attach to the tooth root. Dental implants, on the other hand, consist of small metal rods which are inserted surgically into the jaw and later fuse with the surrounding bone in a process known as osseointegration. The gum tissues are only able to adhere to the surface of the dental implant.
Dental disease
Natural teeth are susceptible to tooth decay and in severe cases of decay, root canal therapy is sometimes required. The good news is that since dental implants are made from metal, they can’t decay and never need root canal treatment. Gum disease or periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss and although a dental implant isn’t affected by periodontal disease, it is susceptible to peri-implantitis which is inflammation resulting from bacterial biofilm that has formed on the tissues surrounding the implant. If this isn’t treated in its early stages it can undermine the bone supporting the implant, causing it to loosen and fall out.
Maintenance
Dental crowns and other implant prosthetics are pretty fail proof and as such are designed to be removed and replaced (by a dentist) without disturbing the dental implant, in the event that wear and tear necessitates replacement.
That said, similar to natural teeth, dental implants still require maintenance and it’s extremely important to brush and floss on a daily basis to remove harmful bacteria. It’s also important to attend regular appointments with your dentist and dental hygienist. They can use special metal instruments to clean around the implant without damaging the metal surface. Your dentist will also want to monitor your dental implant to check its stability and to see that the implant crowns, bridges, or dentures are functioning effectively.
If you need any more information regarding dental implants in Richmond then why not take advantage of our free implant consultation. Here you can meet Dr. Harmit Kalsi and the team to get your questions answered, enabling you to make a fully informed decision as to whether or not to replace your missing tooth or teeth with implants. Call us today on 020 8876 5277 or contact us via our website at www.sheendentalimplants.co.uk. We look forward to meeting you.