FASHION HEALTH & BEAUTY
Dental
implants
provide
the perfect
solution
People lose teeth all the time, either
through trauma - when teeth are
knocked out - or due to decay, gum
disease or old age. Whatever the reason
for losing your teeth, they need to
be replaced, both for aesthetic and
functional reasons.
The most common treatments for
missing teeth are either a denture or a
fixed bridge. However, dental implants
are now becoming a more popular
treatment to replace missing teeth, as
they provide a longer-term solution,
slow down bone loss and preserve
nearby healthy tooth tissue.
A dental implant supports a crown,
bridge or secures a denture firmly in
place. Before any implants are placed,
it is important for your dentist to
assess the health of your teeth and
gums. If there are any signs of gum
disease or decay, these must first be
treated.
Normally, the bone tissue
surrounding the root of your tooth
is maintained by your body’s natural
renewal process. However, if you lose
a tooth, you will be left with a hole
where your tooth root used to be and
the bone around this area will slowly
begin to disappear which may change
the shape of your jaw.
A dental implant placed in that area
can actually stimulate bone growth
and production, preventing loss of
valuable bone structure. In some
patients where bone loss is substantial,
a bone graft may be required before
placing a dental implant. Bone loss
can make a person look older, since
the area around the mouth can sag as
bone is lost
Once dental implants are fully
integrated into your jaw, they function
just as well as your own natural teeth;
you can eat the foods you want and
speak with complete confidence.
Dentures can be supported by
implants, which will greatly improve
function, enabling patients to eat
the foods they want with complete
confidence and not having to worry
about bone loss and loose dentures
falling out.
Unlike bridges and dentures, which
require special cleaning instructions
and extra attention, dental implants
just need regular brushing, flossing
and dental hygiene appointments, just
like your natural teeth.
If done correctly, a dental implant
should be indistinguishable from
your surrounding natural teeth. They
provide a much better cosmetic and
functional end result than dentures.
Dental implants have been used for
over 30 years to replace missing teeth
and they can last a lifetime depending
on how well you look after them. The
price of dental implants tends to vary
considerably. At St James Clinic in
Newport Dr Jacques Gautier (below)
offers the implant plus the crown from
£1,395.00.
www.visiti 6