What are dental implants?

What are dental implants?

18 / 03 / 2021

Dental implants are a fixed – once and for all – solution to removable dentures that can be used to replace a single tooth or several missing teeth. This treatment may be the only solution if loss of teeth has caused the mouth to shrink and can no longer support wearing of dentures.

To fit an implant is a surgical process in which a small titanium screw is drilled into the jawbone to hold an individual crown in place in the gum.

A dental implant is the best long-term solution to replacing missing teeth as aesthetically, it looks extremely natural, very durable (can last around 20 years before needing replacement from general wear and tear) and lastly, no fussing about with taking out/ putting back in of fake teeth.

The implanted tooth performs and feels just like a normal tooth, with the added strength factor, as it is held into one’s jawbone with titanium metal. The strength of the implant not only holds stable replacement teeth, but it can also help with retention of bone loss and jaw line recession.

The replacement of a missing tooth is a process that takes extreme precision and planning, therefore takes a few weeks until the implant is put in. This is to ensure the post of the screw that is inserted into the jawbone has enough time to heal and settle in place, then spacing is measured accurately, and the implant tooth is designed with the most accurate shade and shape for it to fit well alongside the other teeth.

The same process of a single tooth implant can be used to make a full mouth implanted denture, this is done by implanting multiple screws in specific locations in the jaw to support a whole mouth of teeth. Similarly, an implant supported bridge may be suitable for those who may have a few missing teeth in a row.

Please see below for a short video demonstration of these implant procedures to explain in further detail the benefits of this treatment.

Zimmer Biomet Dental Solutions for Restoring Missing Teeth from Zimmer Biomet Dental on Vimeo.

Here are Crook Log dental practice we are very fortunate to have an award winning Implantologist and Prosthodontist Specialist, Dr Wassim Chawich as part of the team.

As a Prosthodontist Specialist Wassim provides simple and complex prosthodontic treatment including full mouth reconstruction, cosmetic dentistry and removable prostheses and has a special interest in Oral Surgery. Wassim accepts referrals for prosthodontic assessment and treatment and for implants including all their related surgical procedures including: Sinus Lifts, Block Grafts, Soft Tissue Grafts, and lower jaw nerve repositioning.

Could dental implants be the solution for you? If so, get in touch! Call us on 0208 303 3838 and we can start the process with a consultation with our very own Dr Wassim Chawich, who works every other Saturday and every other Friday at our practice in Bexleyheath!

You can also follow Dr Wassim Chawich on Facebook and Instagram to check out pictures and patient reviews of his work – don’t forget to follow and like 😊

Instagram – drwassimchawich

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