Dental Implants

Are Dental Implants Easy to Care For?

Dental implants are easy to look after, but you do need to make sure you care for them properly. This means they must be thoroughly brushed and flossed to make sure plaque and tartar cannot build up around them, and it is important to visit Bromley Dental Practice for regular check-ups with Dr Zaki Bashir, and to book professional cleanings.

Getting Regular Check-ups for Your Dental Implants
Dr Bashir will examine the implants to make sure they are still fitting well, and are free from disease. Regular dental x-rays will show if the bone levels around the implant are being maintained, and this is essential as good strong bone surrounding the implants will help ensure they remain firmly anchored in the jaw.

Professional Dental Cleanings
Professional cleanings help remove any hardened tartar that might have built up around the implant and which could otherwise mean the gums will become inflamed. Tartar is hardened plaque bacteria, and it can build up if you don’t brush and floss properly. Our dentist in Bromley Dental Practice can give you advice on how to brush properly, and how to floss so you remove all the plaque from around your dental implant.

Even though a dental implant is completely inert it is surrounded with living tissue and this can still become infected at any stage, even years after the implant is being inserted. A lack of oral hygiene can mean a condition called peri-implantitis will develop. This is a condition similar to gum disease and it causes the gums to become infected, swollen and inflamed. If not promptly treated this condition could affect the bone levels around the implant, and could mean the implant eventually becomes loose and will fail.

Looking after Implant Supported Dentures
If your implants are being used to support a denture then it’s important to make sure you brush and floss around the implants in your mouth, and that you thoroughly clean the implant attachments in your denture. Make sure you bring the denture with you to each appointment so Dr Bashir can check the denture and implant attachments are still in good condition. It’s possible some of the implant attachment components will need replacing periodically, and most people need to replace their denture completely every 3 to 6 years.

It’s not difficult to look after dental implants in Bromley correctly, and to ensure they remain problem free. Many people have had dental implants in position for decades and they are still performing well. If you care for your dental implants properly then they could last your lifetime, and dental implant surgery has an extremely high success rate that is typically around 95%. In addition to good dental care, it’s important to make sure you maintain good general health, and habits such as smoking could affect the longevity of your implant.

Bromley Dental Practice

Zaki graduated from University of Bristol 1999 and has practiced in Kent since then. He is passionate about dentistry and providing the highest standard of care for patients, at the same time, he keeps himself at the cutting edge of modern dental techniques.

Can Anyone Have Dental Implants in Bromley?

Dental implants are a really good way of replacing missing teeth and are often considered to be the gold standard. This is because they can often provide the most natural looking restorations that can be treated in exactly the same way as your own teeth. In spite of this some people are put off by the thought of having a small surgical procedure to insert the implant post. It’s worth trying to get past these feelings especially as the surgery really isn’t that bad, particularly when only one implant is required.

Dental Implants Are Ideal for Anyone in Good Oral and General Health

Dental implants are suitable for just about anyone who is in good oral health and who doesn’t have any particular medical conditions. Dr Zaki Bashir or another dentist in Bromley will take your medical history into account during your initial consultation for dental implants.

Factors that may influence whether or not you’re suitable for implants include having conditions that impact your immune system, in particular diabetes. If you do have diabetes then it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have dental implants, but it is important that the diabetes is very well controlled as this condition does impede healing and does increase the risk of implant failure.

Another factor is whether or not you smoke, and if you do then you’ll need to give up prior to implant surgery and preferably for good, but at least while the implant is healing. Smoking definitely increases the risk that the implant will fail at some point, and it’s a habit that makes it far more difficult for the dental implant to integrate properly into the jawbone once it’s been placed.

Some people are worried that increasing age may make it difficult to have dental implant placement, but many older people will be able to successfully have dental implant surgery; being in good health is far more important than age. One issue that could arise is if the teeth were extracted quite some time ago as this can lead to significant bone resorption. Dental implants do need to be surrounded by several millimetres of healthy bone in order to be held firmly in place in the jaw. Your dentist in Bromley will assess the amount of healthy bone through taking x-rays and quite possibly a CT scan. Even if you don’t have sufficient bone this doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have dental implants. It’s possible to build up the bone with different types of bone grafts. Some grafts can be placed as soon as the tooth is extracted, or at the same time as dental implants.

Nervous at the Thought of Implant Surgery? Talk to Us so We Can Help You

If dental anxiety and fear is putting you off having this treatment then talk to our friendly dental team at Bromley Dental Practice. We know a lot of patients are nervous and we will do everything possible to help you overcome this.

Bromley Dental Practice

Is it Worth Replacing a Single Tooth with a Dental Implant?

The answer to this question is a resounding yes, and in fact single dental implants in Bromley are perfect for replacing single teeth. It’s true that the procedure might take a little longer to complete, and the initial cost might be a bit more compared to alternatives such as having a dental bridge, but the results make it well worth your while. A recent study looked at the long-term costs of dental implants, and found that replacing a single tooth with an implant was cost effective in the longer run. Cost is always an important aspect, but the effects on dental health are also worth considering. Using an implant to replace a single tooth will not have any negative effects on the rest of your teeth. This method of tooth replacement only provides positive benefits.

Comparing a Dental Implant to a Dental Bridge

If you choose to have a dental bridge to replace a single tooth then Dr Zaki Bashir will need to modify the teeth adjacent to the gap. These modifications involve grinding down the teeth so they are suitable to be crowned. Quite a bit of healthy tooth material will have to be removed in order to create sufficient room for the crowns, as otherwise you could end up with a bridge that looks too bulky and artificial. Once removed this tooth material can never be replaced, and even if you decide to have a dental implant fitted at a later date, these adjacent teeth will always need crowns. The crowns are used to support the pontic which is the replacement tooth.

The pontic is designed to fit up against the gum tissue in the space created by the missing tooth. This helps to prevent food from becoming trapped around the pontic, and provides just enough stimulation to the gum tissue to keep it healthy. In spite of this over time you might begin to notice a space appearing underneath the pontic, and this is due to the fact that the bone underneath the gum tissue is gradually becoming flatter. You might find it more difficult to keep this area clean and free from food, and it may look less natural than it did when it was first fitted.

When you have a dental implant it helps to preserve the jawbone through providing the same sort of stimulation as a natural tooth root. Your implant dentist in Bromley will also shape the gum tissue so it looks as if your implant crown is emerging naturally from the gum in exactly the same way as your normal teeth. The aesthetic results can be really beautiful. You’ll be able to treat this tooth exactly like a natural tooth, and this means it must be flossed and brushed to keep it free from plaque. A properly cared for dental implant should last for years and the success rate for placing dental implants is extremely high. Even though you might have to wait a little longer for the implant site to heal, and for your permanent crown to be placed, the final results make it all worthwhile, particularly if you’re concerned about the cosmetic appearance of your teeth.

Bromley Dental Practice

Using Dental Implants to Secure or Replace a Denture

Problems Faced by Denture Wearers
Many people who lose quite a few teeth, or who have lost all their teeth, will choose to wear a full set of dentures. Dentures are a very cost effective way of replacing lost teeth, and the process for having them is relatively quick and non-invasive. Well-made and modern dentures can use extremely life-like teeth, but they are not an ideal solution. One of the main problems with dentures is that they do nothing to help preserve the jawbone. When you lose teeth the jawbone gradually begins to reabsorb as it relies on the tooth roots to provide the necessary stimulation to keep it healthy. Over time the ridge that used to support the teeth will become flatter, and this can make wearing a denture especially awkward.

Dentist Bromley Dentures, in particular lower dentures, rely on retention to hold them in position, and as the bony ridge gradually reduces then there will be less and less retention. This can mean the dentures begin to slip and move around, making eating tricky, limiting the choice of foods available. This can negatively impact general health, and could affect digestion. In addition, many people will get increasingly self-conscious about their dentures and will worry that they will move about when they socialise with others. This is when opting for dental implants can really help.

Replacing Dentures with a Fixed Bridge
Dental implants can be placed by Dr Zaki Bashir or another of our dentists in Bromley, and may be used to replace dentures entirely with a fixed bridge. The bridge is permanently cemented or screwed in position, and this treatment can make the world of difference to the quality of life. Imagine not having to worry about lose and uncomfortable dentures anymore, and being able to eat a wider variety of foods than before. This type of treatment will mean having quite a few dental implants placed by one of our dentists in Bromley, and the process is likely to take several months to complete, but it is well worth the effort.

Replacing Dentures with Implant Secured Dentures
Dental implants do require a certain amount of healthy bone, and this can sometimes be a problem for people who have worn dentures for a very long time. In this case one option might be to have fewer implants placed to help hold a denture in position. This technique will enable the denture to snap into place onto the implants, so it is held firmly in position but can still be removed for easy cleaning.

Most people will use dental implants in Bromley to secure lower dentures or to replace them completely, as upper dentures often still have adequate retention. However there is no reason why dental implants should not be used to replace upper dentures, and in fact this can have huge benefits as well. One of the main problems with upper dentures is that they have to be made to completely cover the upper palate in order to give good retention. Upper bridge or implant retained dentures will leave the upper palate completely uncovered. The upper palate contains lots of taste buds, so uncovering it will mean food suddenly becomes a lot more enjoyable.

Bromley Dental Practice

Why Choose Dental Implants?

If you have lost a tooth, or perhaps several teeth, then Dr Zaki Bashir in Bromley will almost certainly have emphasised the importance of replacing it. This is because all your teeth are designed to work together, and if even one is missing, it can negatively affect your remaining teeth. Your choices of tooth replacement range from dental bridges, to partial or full dentures, or dental implants. Dental implants are the most expensive option, so why should you choose them?

A Dental Implant is like a Tooth Root

Dental Implants Bromley When you lose a tooth then one of the side effects can be bone resorption in that area of your mouth. A normal healthy tooth root stimulates the surrounding bone through transmitting the forces created during biting and chewing into this bone. This action stimulates the bone into replacing old bone cells as they die off, so the bone is continually renewed and stays strong.

When the root is removed this no longer happens, and as the bone reabsorbs it can create problems with your remaining teeth, making them less stable, or if you have lost a lot of teeth then you will eventually notice a change in your facial dimensions. Someone who has been wearing dentures for a very long time will often notice their face seems to collapse in on itself.

Dental implants can be the healthiest option for tooth replacement as they are designed to act like natural tooth roots. This means the bone is continually stimulated and will replace old cells as they die off.

Dental Implants can Function Just like Natural Teeth

Dental implants create a strong and stable foundation that can be used to support single crowns and dental bridges. These restorations are cemented or screwed in place and can be treated in exactly the same way as natural teeth. If you have loose dentures, then ask our implant dentist in Bromley about implant retained dentures. Just a few dental implants can be used to retain full upper or lower dentures, so the cost of treatment is well within the reach of many people.

Dental implants have a very high success rate of approximately 95% or even higher, and our implant dentist in Bromley is very experienced in implantology. We use Strauman dental implants as these are high quality implants that are thoroughly tested, and which are widely used throughout the world.

A consultation with our implant dentist in Bromley will let you know if this treatment is right for you. It is true that dental implants are not suitable for everyone, as if you have diabetes or certain other medical conditions then there is a higher risk of failure. If you smoke then be prepared to quit before implant surgery as smoking impedes healing. If you are suitable then dental implants are worth the effort and additional cost, especially in the longer term, as they can last for many years. Properly placed and cared for dental implants in Bromley offer the most permanent means of tooth replacement.

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