Bruntsfield Dental

What are dental implants and how do they work?

A dental implant, put simply, acts as an artificial tooth root that is surgically placed into your jawbone on to which a replacement tooth or bridge can be attached.

They are consist of a titanium ‘screw’, which is implanted into the jawbone and then left to fuse and heal with the natural bone. This healing process usually takes around 3-6 months. The implants make a very secure base and act as a natural tooth root would. Once your dentist is happy that the implant has fully fused with the bone, a crown or bridge can be fitted on top.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of dental implants?

Advantages

They function just like real teeth
They can improve a person’s appearance and boost their confidence
They can improve chewing difficulties
They are very predictable and safe (>95% success rate)
You do not need to remove them (unlike dentures)
They can stop other nearby teeth from moving position
They don’t affect your remaining teeth (i.e. no drilling of adjacent teeth which is sometimes required for dental bridges)
They can fill gaps which are attracting bacteria due to trapped food

Disadvantages

Implants can be more expensive than other methods used to close gaps (e.g. removable dentures)
Placement of the implants involves a surgical procedure
The whole process can take up to 6 months

Please contact us today and arrange a free initial consultation if you would like to discuss dental implants in more detail and discover whether they would be a good option for you.

What are Dental Implants?

What are dental implants and how do they work?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of dental implants?

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