Dental implants have revolutionised tooth replacement treatment over the last few years and we are delighted to offer both traditional and mini dental implants.
Dental implants are small prostheses, which are fixed into openings in the jaw bone to take on the role of the absent tooth root. Implants are made from titanium, which is a biocompatible material; this means that the implant is able to integrate into the bone tissue. Implants are very versatile tooth replacements because they fit with different types of restoration and this makes them an accessible treatment for patients with any number of missing teeth. Once the implant has integrated, the new restoration can be attached and the new tooth will work in exactly the same way as a natural tooth.
About mini implants
As the name suggests, mini implants are smaller versions of traditional dental implants. Mini implants are versatile like normal implants and they are also suitable for patients who lack bone mass and density in the jaw bone. These implants may be suitable for patients who have been advised against traditional implants or told that they may need bone grafting because they are more tolerable.
Implant-retained dentures
One common use of mini dental implants is to anchor a denture. Dentures are effective tooth replacements in their own right, but they do occasionally cause problems and implant-retained dentures are considered an excellent option for patients who may have experienced issues with the fit and function of traditional dentures in the past.
With implant-retained dentures, the dentures are secured by mini implants (or traditional implants), rather than the suction of the gums and this allows for greater bite power, enhanced comfort and a reduced risk of slipping, irritation and sore spots.
To find out more about dental implants, mini implants and our other restorative treatments and to see how mini implants could benefit you, call us and make an appointment today!
Once upon a time in Weston-super-Mare, the mini-implant used to pave the way for it’s bigger brother, ensuring that an implant would take and then when the mouth had healed, it was taken out and replaced by the full implant…it would then be discarded. But then something magical happened to the mini, it was soon recognized for being useful in it’s own right and as dental procedures improved, it stepped out of the shadow of big brother and became useful in its own right. It is a lot simpler to place into the jaw and a series of them can be placed in a day and set to immediate use. They have been particularly useful in the development of the dental bridge, helping to anchor the bridge at either one end, or in the case of a bridge that spans across the loss of more than two teeth, bang in the middle of the bridge. The mini can also be used to house small incisor crowns to help with tooth replacement. But the treatment that really made a star of the mini-implant was when it was used to help anchor dentures in the mouth. In just a couple of hours, 5 or 6 implants will lock onto the dentures and hold them tight up against the gums, making them stronger than was ever imaginable before. For information on this and general implant treatments, then just give Clifton Dental a call in Bristol.
If you are resigned to losing a tooth or in fact, all your teeth in Weston-Super-Mare, there are many reasons why you should get them replaced. The major factors behind tooth loss are injury or periodontal disease and this can be a very traumatic moment in your life. In the case of a single tooth, a replacement can prevent further health issues such as gum disease and movement in the teeth that are left behind, but this can be rectified by a bridge, implant or a partial denture. If all the teeth are lost, then the fitting of a full set of dentures is required. Such is the advancement in denture technology and the materials they are manufactured from, they can mirror the look of a full set of natural teeth. Fixing the dentures in place has also advanced with new adhesives and mini implants that keep the dentures solidly in position. Whatever the reason for having this treatment, dentures can have more health related benefits. Cosmetically, dentures can retain the look of the face. If teeth are not replaced, the cheeks will sag and age you very quickly, possibly causing difficult psychological problems further down the line. But the most important reason for having teeth replaced is to maintain the occlusion within the mouth or the ‘bite’. If this issue is not rectified, it can cause problems in the neck, head and upper back leading to ear, eyes and sinus complications.
You may have heard about the dental restoration treatment called a dental implant. This comes in the form of a small titanium screw that is placed directly into the jawbone to act as a base for an artificial crown. Dental implants are one of the most popular teeth substitutes because they replace the whole tooth and not just the crown. However, you may not be aware that it is possible to have a series of mini-implants to act as a secure base for a set of dentures.
Mini-implants are positioned in the same way as normal implants. They are screwed directly into the jawbone, providing it is healthy enough, at intervals along the arc of the gum. In total it is usual to have about five implants for each arc to secure the dentures. Once the implants have been positioned they will need to be left for several weeks to allow them to fuse with the bone. This process is called osseointegration and is the secret to the solidity of implant technology.
Once firmly in place, your Bath dentist will then either manufacture a new set of dentures designed with small clips which attach to the implants, or alternatively can fit your existing dentures with clips. The advantage of mini-implants is that they firmly secure the dentures without having to rely on suction or messy denture adhesive strips. This can alleviate the anxiety common to many denture wearers that they are going to fall out. It also means that some foods that can be difficult to eat with normal dentures can be enjoyed without the worry. The dentures simply clip on and off to the mini-implants as and when you want to put them in or take them out.
Dentures are artificial teeth used to replace teeth that are missing due to decay or disease or perhaps as the result of some kind of physical trauma. They incorporate a whole or part dental arc with synthetic gum tissue to create the appearance of a full set of teeth. Most people are probably aware of dentures and will know somebody who uses them, especially if you are of a certain age.
Although the standard of dental care in the UK has improved dramatically over the last fifty years, there is still quite a big chance that you will lose some or all of your teeth at some point later in life. Once a certain number of teeth have been lost, it often becomes very difficult to eat and talk with only a few remaining teeth. A Weston-super-Mare dentist might then suggest the removal of the remaining teeth (depending on their condition) and the use of dentures.
A well-fitting set of dentures should stay in place by suction alone, but often due to gum erosion the dentures feel loose. If this is the case then you should always go to see your dentist. The options usually involve adjusting the dentures to fit better over the gums or to start using denture adhesives. Although a more modern alternative may be to have mini-implants fitted into your jawbone. Like the larger dental implants to replace single missing teeth, mini-implants are screwed directly into the jaw and fuse with the existing tissue. They can then act as a base onto which can be clipped and unclipped the dentures. This will keep them secure and alleviate any anxiety about loose dentures.
Dentures are the most suitable solution for patients who have many missing teeth. They restore the appearance and functionality of your original teeth, meaning you will no longer have to be embarrassed about your smile.
If your natural teeth are badly decayed or have been lost to some form of physical trauma, a set of dentures can make your life easier. Of course you will probably miss your natural teeth but if they have got to a stage where everyday activities such as eating and drinking have become difficult or unpleasant, it may be time to replace your remaining teeth with an artificial set. Dentures can also restore the appearance of a healthy smile and act as a support for facial muscles sagging as a result of missing teeth.
If you decide to choose dentures the dentist will first need to remove any existing teeth that remain and give the gums time to sufficiently heal. During this time you may be fitted with a temporary denture. When the gums are sufficiently healed, the dentist will then fit your permanent set. They will have been designed to fit exactly over remaining gum tissue so that they will be held in place by suction alone. Some patients are anxious that dentures can fall out and resort to messy denture adhesives. Loose dentures are usually due to an ill fitting set so some minor adjustment may make them feel more secure. Alternatively, you could have a series of mini-implants fitted to act as a secure base for the dentures.
Modern dentures have come along way in the last twenty years and can now appear and feel very realistic. Wearing dentures no longer comes with the stigma it used to have and most wearers go through life without anybody ever knowing they are not their natural teeth. If you are suffering with your teeth and finding eating and drinking a real pain, it may be time to see a Gloucester dentist about dentures.
Losing your teeth at any stage of your life can be an embarrassing and traumatic experience. The two most common reasons for tooth loss are dental decay and head trauma, and both can be the underlying cause of further physiological and psychological conditions if not addressed. For example, missing teeth can cause facial muscles to sag and sink making the patient look much older than they actually are. Missing teeth can also be the cause of increased gum disease because it is hard to clean in hollows left by lost teeth. Missing teeth can make the patient very embarrassed and can lead to a loss of self-confidence and self-esteem.
For these reasons and others it is important to replace the missing teeth as soon as possible. If only a small number of teeth are missing it may be easier to replace them with dental bridges or implants, but if the majority or all the teeth are missing then it may be necessary to fit a set of dentures. This restores the cosmetic appearance of a full set of teeth and also protects the remaining gum tissue from further erosion.
Many denture wearers are anxious that they are going to fall out and resort to wearing dental adhesive strips or gels. A well-fitting pair of dentures should require nothing more than suction to stay in place so denture wearers require regular check ups from a dentist.
Alternatively, more and more denture wearers are opting to have mini-implants fitted to which the dentures can be snapped on and off. This provides the desired level of security without the need for messy adhesives. This can be very reassuring to denture wearers especially when eating certain foods.
Dentures have come a long way to escape the stigma attached to them. Modern dentures feel more like real teeth than ever before. If you have suffered from multiple tooth loss and want to restore a smile to your face, ask a Bristol dentist about having a set of dentures fitted.
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
If your natural teeth are badly decayed or have been lost to some form of physical trauma, a set of dentures can make your life easier. Of course you will probably miss your natural teeth but if they have got to a stage where everyday activities such as eating and drinking have become difficult or unpleasant, it may be time to replace your remaining teeth with an artificial set. Dentures can also restore the appearance of a healthy smile and act as a support for facial muscles sagging as a result of missing teeth.
If you decide to choose dentures the dentist will first need to remove any existing teeth that remain and give the gums time to sufficiently heal. During this time you may be fitted with a temporary denture. When the gums are sufficiently healed, the dentist will then fit your permanent set. They will have been designed to fit exactly over remaining gum tissue so that they will be held in place by suction alone. Some patients are anxious that dentures can fall out and resort to messy denture adhesives. Loose dentures are usually due to an ill fitting set so some minor adjustment may make them feel more secure. Alternatively, you could have a series of mini-implants fitted to act as a secure base for the dentures.
Modern dentures have come along way in the last twenty years and can now appear and feel very realistic. Wearing dentures no longer comes with the stigma it used to have and most wearers go through life without anybody ever knowing they are not their natural teeth. If you are suffering with your teeth and finding eating and drinking a real pain, it may be time to see a Gloucester dentist about dentures.
Losing your teeth at any stage of your life can be an embarrassing and traumatic experience. The two most common reasons for tooth loss are dental decay and head trauma, and both can be the underlying cause of further physiological and psychological conditions if not addressed. For example, missing teeth can cause facial muscles to sag and sink making the patient look much older than they actually are. Missing teeth can also be the cause of increased gum disease because it is hard to clean in hollows left by lost teeth. Missing teeth can make the patient very embarrassed and can lead to a loss of self-confidence and self-esteem.
For these reasons and others it is important to replace the missing teeth as soon as possible. If only a small number of teeth are missing it may be easier to replace them with dental bridges or implants, but if the majority or all the teeth are missing then it may be necessary to fit a set of dentures. This restores the cosmetic appearance of a full set of teeth and also protects the remaining gum tissue from further erosion.
Many denture wearers are anxious that they are going to fall out and resort to wearing dental adhesive strips or gels. A well-fitting pair of dentures should require nothing more than suction to stay in place so denture wearers require regular check ups from a dentist.
Alternatively, more and more denture wearers are opting to have mini-implants fitted to which the dentures can be snapped on and off. This provides the desired level of security without the need for messy adhesives. This can be very reassuring to denture wearers especially when eating certain foods.
Dentures have come a long way to escape the stigma attached to them. Modern dentures feel more like real teeth than ever before. If you have suffered from multiple tooth loss and want to restore a smile to your face, ask a Bristol dentist about having a set of dentures fitted.
