What Are Dental Implants? A Question We Don’t Hear So Often
Even as recently as five years ago, we would often be asked “What are dental implants?” In Richmond, here at Sheen Dental, we’d give a pretty comprehensive reply using charts and 3 dimensional images, and explaining just how the titanium implant would bond with the jaw bone (in a natural process known as osseointegration) to create a stable platform to support a prosthetic device such as a crown or arch of teeth. It’s fair to say that patients found this information fascinating and the concept of Same Day Teeth” was particularly remarkable.
Forward to the current year and it’s not a question we hear all that often. Most patients know someone who has undergone the procedure and furthermore they carry out their research on the top dental implant sites on the internet. It’s still good to hear the procedure discussed by a dental implant dentist and be shown relevant literature and images.
Indeed we always recommend a free consultation where we will discuss the entire procedure and tailor any answers to that patient’s particular dental requirements. On the whole though, the majority of our patients come to us already knowing they want dental implants, an idea of how many they need, and some even have a particular brand in mind.
What has become more important for us at a consultation has been explaining to prospective implant patients the importance of complete commitment to the procedure. In fact we talk more about what dental implants are not, rather than what they are. It’s true that they are an ideal replacement for missing, damaged or badly decayed teeth; They look and function more like natural teeth than any other form of tooth replacement; They also contribute to the overall health of a patient and can make them look younger, plus they have the potential to last for decades.
Dental implants are not the same as your natural teeth. Instead they need to be thought of as technological replacements for the lost biological function of a tooth. Because they don’t conduct sensitivity like a real tooth would, and never need a root canal treatment, it’s not unheard of for some patients to break their new teeth by biting too hard or grinding their teeth at night. Some patients wear them down to a degree where the prosthetic teeth themselves need replacing. In some cases smoking or a lack of attention to oral hygiene can cause infections in the mouth which can put the implants at risk. However, the good news is that for almost 99% of our patients commitment to care for their investment has resulted in them enjoying the many benefits which a dental implant in Richmond or anywhere in the UK can provide.
To find out more about dental implants then visit our website at www.sheendentalimplants.co.uk or call us on 020 8876 5277 to book a free no-obligation consultation. We look forward to meeting you and answering your questions.