With dental implants, a dentist has a realistic and permanent way to replace your missing teeth. Any dentist will always stress the importance of replacing missing teeth one way or another, for the sake of your general as well as your oral health. At Orpington Dental Care we believe that, more often than note, dental implants are the perfect solution to tooth loss.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are permanent replacements for the root portions of any lost teeth. They are small titanium screws or posts that your dentist will place directly into your jaw bone. After a healing period, which is typically about three months, permanent new teeth will be attached to abutments on top of your implants. These teeth may be a bridge, a denture, or crowns, depending on your individual clinical situation and personal preferences.

Why should I consider dental implants?

Implants do so much more than just holding your new teeth firmly in place. Of course, this is important; it enables you to eat whatever you choose – even the occasional juicy steak or chewy potato skin – without the worry that your teeth won’t be up to the job. It’s also important in terms of both speech and self-confidence; slippy, loose dentures can play havoc with your self-esteem.

But because they are supportive of bone growth, dental implants don’t just alleviate these common denture woes. They also help to preserve the structure of your face, as bone resorbtion can change your entire facial appearance and cause premature sagging of the skin.

How do I get dental implants?

Come into our Orpington clinic for an implant consultation, and your dentist will conduct a thorough clinical assessment, using CT scans and/or x-rays to help with diagnosis and planning. If you have oral health concerns such as periodontal disease, these will be treated before your implants are placed, to maximise their chances of success.

At our Orpington dental practice we can place dental implants under either local anaesthetic or sedation. Once your implants have integrated with your jaw bone, your dentist will attach your permanent new teeth – crowns, a bridge, or dentures – on top.