Prolonged neglect, coupled with ageing, might have contributed to your lack of teeth. Maybe you have multiple dental implants unsightly gaps in your teeth or an entire jaw missing teeth?

If this has been your reality for years where you have resorted to a life of dentures, you might have noticed the adverse effects of wearing the device for a long time.

For one, your dentures stop fitting properly. Due to a lack of stimulation, the tissue underneath your old tooth deteriorates, and your face takes on a ‘shrinking’ appearance, making you appear years older.

Would you not prefer to go through each day without fearing that your dentures might slip out of place and impede your speech?

Multiple dental implants in Richmond could give you the security of knowing that you can enjoy life without experiencing the sometimes embarrassing consequences of unpredictable dentures. 

What can an implant-supported bridge provide that other replacement tooth solutions cannot?

Fixed bridges might not fall out of place at the most inopportune moments. However, they do compromise the structure of the adjacent supporting teeth that are often filed down to fit the bridge into place securely. At the same time, the neighbouring molars and incisors might not be strong or healthy enough to hold up the bridge, resulting in its collapse. There is also a chance that bacteria accumulate around the bridge, spreading infection and tooth decay..

Unlike the above, an implant-supported bridge supports and preserves the bone of your tooth or teeth, thus preventing the visible defects that come with losing vital tissue through wearing dentures or having standard bridges affixed. The dental implants that are embedded in your jawbone actually help to rejuvenate tissue, even if you face severe deterioration caused by years of wearing dentures.

What are the steps to having dental implants fitted?

Consult with your dentist first to find out whether you are a suitable candidate for multiple dental implants. Unfortunately, the prosthetic is not for everyone. Having enough bone to embed the implant is a non-negotiable criterion. If you do not have enough bone – potentially a consequence of wearing dentures, your dentist might recommend bone grafts. Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that transplants bone from other parts of your body to your jawbone.

If you are deemed healthy for implants, during your next appointment, your dentist will drill into your jawbone to insert titanium screws. It will take a couple of months for the screws to fuse with your jawbone, which happens naturally in time in a biological process called osseointegration. If you feel insecure about showing your missing teeth in public, your dentist will provide you with a temporary device that you can wear during the healing period.

During this time, dental impressions are taken to create new crowns that match the colour and shape of your neighbouring ones, and because your tooth replacement occurs at the root, your remaining natural teeth will not be touched.

Once fully integrated with your mouth, an abutment or connector teeth will link the bridge to the implant.

Once secured in place, enjoy all the things that you used to, eat without fearing of damaging your implant and talk freely, knowing that the device will not fall out. Make the change: switch over to dental implants in Richmond and watch as your life improves.