Dental implants: your questions answered

Choosing dental implants to replace your missing teeth is a big decision. At Capital Dental in Hampton we also believe it is a wise one. Implants are the only permanent solution to tooth loss, and have numerous benefits over traditional bridgework and dentures.

dental-implants-hamptonIf you are considering dental implants, you are likely to have some questions. We have collected some common implant questions and answers below; if your query isn’t answered here, please get in touch with the team at our Hampton dental practice and we will be happy to help you.

How do dental implants work?

Dental implants replace the root portions of lost teeth. Small titanium posts or screws, they are placed in your jaw bone in a small operation, carried out here at Capital Dental Hampton.

Over a period of a few months, your implants form a very strong bond with your jaw bone, so that they can hold your new teeth – either dentures, a crown, or a bridge – securely in place.

How many teeth can they replace?

As many as you need. At our Hampton dental practice we can use dental implants to replace anything from one to all of your natural teeth.

How do they differ from traditional dental bridges/dentures?

Traditional bridgework and dentures only replace the crowns of the teeth. Dental implants replace the roots. Root replacement is essential not just to ensure your teeth stay firmly in place, but also to keep your jaw bone strong and healthy. When the roots are not replaced, the jaw bone will resorb, and your dentures may become loose.

Unlike traditional bridges, no support is required from adjacent teeth for an implant-retained bridge.

Is there a lot of down time from implant surgery?

Not usually. Thanks to the advanced planning that your Hampton dentist will do before placing your implants, the procedure is pretty simple from a patient’s perspective. Implants are placed under either local anaesthetic or sedation. You may need 24 hours to fully recover from intravenous sedation (for example, you are not allowed to drive during that time by law) but in most cases implant patients can return to daily activities quickly.

Dental implants: the tooth replacement option designed to last for life

Unlike other tooth replacements, dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution to tooth loss – with proper care, they may last for life. Hampton clinic Capital Dental offers implant solutions to suit a range of situations – whether you have knocked a single tooth out in an accident, have lost several teeth as part of the ageing process, or have been struggling with poorly-fitting dentures for years and have experienced a loss of bone density.

dental-implants-hamptonWhen you come into our Hampton dental practice for a dental implants consultation, you will be seen by a highly experienced dentist, who will assess your current clinical situation including using x-rays and CT scans as necessary.

Your dentist will assess your current level of bone density and the overall state of your oral health, to ascertain whether any additional treatments are required prior to the placement of your dental implants. They will also establish how many implants you need.

Should you have low bone density, your dentist may recommend a sinus lift or bone graft as preparation for implant placement. Our highly-skilled team at Capital Dental Hampton are able to carry out these procedures here in the comfort of our modern practice.

Dental implants should be placed in a healthy mouth to maximise their chances of success and minimise the risk of any complications. If gum disease is responsible for your tooth loss, your dentist will treat this first (we can treat even advanced periodontal problems at our Hampton clinic) and will help you to develop an improved oral hygiene routine to stop the problem recurring.

Hampton dental implants

At Capital Dental in Hampton we can place your dental implants under either local anaesthetic or conscious sedation. In some cases, when a full jaw of teeth needs to be replaced, new teeth can be attached to your implants on the same day. This procedure is called “All-on-4”and involves placing just four implants, two of which are tilted to maximise bone-to-implant contact.

In other cases, a healing period of a few months is required. Your dentist may attach temporary teeth during this period of healing, so you won’t be left toothless.

Finding the perfect braces or aligners: adult orthodontics explored

Adults considering braces are likely to look for different things to children and teenagers in the same position. Capital Dental in Twickenham offers a number of different adult orthodontic treatment options, and your dentist will work hard to find the perfect one for you.

cosmetic-bracesWhilst metal braces remain popular with a lot of young people, who enjoy the ability to customise their brace with various coloured elastics, for adults discretion tends to be the number one item on the orthodontic wishlist. The team at Capital Dental in Twickenham appreciates the need for subtler treatment, and offers a range of discreet braces and aligners designed to move adult teeth without being immediately obvious.

Benefits of orthodontics

There are more than just aesthetic gains to be made in straightening your teeth as an adult. It is easier to clean your teeth when they are in proper alignment, because there are fewer areas for plaque bacteria to gather in. So long as you have a good brushing and flossing routine and pay regular visits to your dentist and hygienist, both braces and aligners can reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Improving the alignment of your teeth can also help to boost your body image and your confidence in a variety of situations.

Twickenham braces and aligners

When you come to Capital Dental in Twickenham for an orthodontic consultation, your dentist will conduct a thorough clinical assessment to determine the type and amount of correction you need. We offer treatment both with fixed braces and removable aligners, and the pros and cons of all relevant options will be discussed during this initial consultation.

Among the systems on offer at our Twickenham clinic are:

Invisalign

A system of clear, removable aligners, Invisalign fit over your teeth to gently guide them into a new position.

Why dental implants are the most exciting development in modern dentistry

Dental implants are designed to permanently replace missing teeth. They are one of the most innovative and exciting treatments in the modern dental world, and offer numerous advantages when compared with traditional bridges and dentures. Hampton clinic Capital Dental offers implant solutions for patients who have lost one or more teeth for whatever reason. We welcome new patients for consultations.

dental-implants-hamptonWhy you must replace lost teeth

Not replacing missing teeth risks not just your dental but also your general health. When even one tooth is missing, your remaining teeth are instantly placed under additional strain, and may become twisted, crooked, or otherwise misaligned if they start to move into the gap.

In the case of multiple missing teeth, your jaw bone may start to resorb or shrink back, which not only complicates the dental implants process but also leads to dentures becoming loose and difficult to live with. A loss of bone density can also cause a sagging and prematurely aged appearance in the face.

At our Hampton dental practice we believe dental implants are, more often than not, the best solution to tooth loss. They eliminate many of the common problems associated with loose dentures, and enable you to:

  • Eat whatever you want, making it easier to have a healthy diet rich in nutrients
  • Speak clearly and with confidence
  • Smile, laugh, and socialise without the fear of your teeth slipping or falling out
  • Get rid of messy denture cements and wave goodbye to denture sore mouth once and for all

Hampton dental implants

The implantology team at Capital Dental in Hampton are able to treat even complex implant cases where bone resorbtion has already begun. If your own dentist has told you that this prevents you from having dental implants, you can ask to be referred to us. A bone graft or sinus lift may be needed before your implants are placed.

Dental implants are placed under local anaesthetic or sedation at our Hampton clinic. If you need all the teeth in one jaw replaced, we may be able to fit your implants and teeth at the same appointment.

Braces or aligners: which is better to straighten my teeth?

For adults who want straighter teeth, modern braces and aligners are discreet and effective solutions. Capital Dental in Twickenham offers a variety of both fixed and removable orthodontic appliances. When you come in for a teeth straightening consultation, your dentist will help you to choose the best system for your clinical situation and your lifestyle.

straighten-teethMetal braces are no longer the only option for people who want straighter teeth. At Capital Dental in Twickenham we offer orthodontic treatment to patients of all ages.

At our Twickenham dental practice we believe that everyone deserves a smile to be proud of. But should you go for braces or aligners?

Twickenham braces and aligners

Benefits of braces:

  1. A very predictable solution, giving your dentist maximum control over each tooth’s movement.
  2. The variety of braces available at Capital Dental Twickenham mean they can be used for both rapid cosmetic and more intensive correction.
  3. Modern braces are designed to blend in with your teeth.
  4. Once your dentist fits them, you don’t need to worry about remembering to take them out/put them in – they stay in position for the duration of treatment.

Things to remember about braces:

  1. You may need to adapt your dental hygiene techniques to clean around them.
  2. Some foods, for example toffees, should be avoided when wearing a fixed brace.
  3. Some systems take a few days to adapt to in terms of speaking or playing woodwind/brass instruments.

Benefits of aligners:

  1. Most people won’t even notice you are wearing them.
  2. Highly convenient – you can take them out for short periods to eat, drink, or clean.
  3. No special dental hygiene techniques needed – just pop them out to brush your teeth as normal.
  4. Some systems (such as the Inman Aligner) work in a very short time-frame.

Things to remember about aligners:

  1. Not suitable for all types of orthodontic correction.
  2. You need to remember to put them back in when you take them out, so that treatment progresses as planned.
  3. With systems such as Invisalign or SmileTru, you need to remember to change your aligner as your teeth move, as advised by your clinician.

Using dental implants to replace your missing teeth

Dental implants are an excellent option for patients who have lost teeth. At Capital Dental in Twickenham we offer a number of implant solutions, designed not just to restore beauty to your smile, but also full functionality to your jaw.

By choosing dental implants to replace your missing teeth, you can be assured of:

  • Stability
  • Functionality
  • Longevity
  • Reliability

dental-implants-hamptonThe implantology team at Capital Dental in Twickenham can replace anything from one to all of your natural teeth with dental implants. If you are looking for a permanent, predictable solution to tooth loss, why not join us for a consultation with our implant dentist?

How dental implants work

Whilst standard dentures and bridgework replace only the crowns of the teeth, dental implants replace the roots. They are small titanium posts or screws that your dentist will place in direct contact with your jaw bone here at our modern Twickenham practice, under either local anaesthetic or sedation. A bridge, crown, or denture will then be attached.

As well as holding your new teeth firmly in position, your implants will help to prevent shrinkage of your jaw bone and recession of your gums, two common side-effects of having missing teeth. This will alleviate many of the common problems associated with traditional dentures, and will enable you to eat, speak, and smile with the confidence of a healthy jaw.

Twickenham dental implants

There are a number of implant solutions available from our Twickenham practice. Your dentist will carry out a thorough clinical examination, using CT scans and x-rays to help with diagnosis and treatment planning, and will let you know how many implants you require at your initial consultation.

In the majority of cases patients do not need as many dental implants as teeth, because one implant can support several teeth. It is often possible to restore full functionality to one arch of the mouth with between four and eight implants.

If you have already experienced bone loss, we may still be able to help you. Our Twickenham implant dentist can carry out a bone graft or sinus lift – procedures designed to rebuild your bone density – prior to implant placement.

The benefits of braces for adult teeth straightening

Treatment with braces can be beneficial to patients of all ages. At Capital Dental in Twickenham we offer a number of teeth straightening treatments specifically designed for adults – many of which act far more quickly than traditional orthodontic appliances. Depending on the type and amount of correction you require, your dream of straighter teeth could be a reality in just a few months.

teeth-straightening-hamptonA lot of people, on hearing words such as “braces” or “orthodontics”, can only picture the fixed metal appliances favoured by teenagers. However, the orthodontic world has undergone something of a transformation in recent years, meaning that there are now a number of far more subtle options available to adults who want to improve the alignment of their teeth.

At our Twickenham dental practice, we understand the desire for a beautifully aligned smile can all too often be countered by the thought of wearing metal braces for months or even years on end. It’s not hard to see why such appliances are not compatible with a professional adult lifestyle.

When you come for an orthodontic consultation at Capital Dental in Twickenham, we will perform a thorough clinical examination to ascertain the type and amount of correction required. We will then talk you through the pros and cons of all appropriate treatments, so that you can be confident in the choice you make, and will know exactly what to expect.

We offer both fixed braces and removable aligners for adult teeth straightening at our Twickenham dental practice. Each have their merits and are more suited to certain clinical situations.

One of the major benefits of braces is that they give your dentist or orthodontist maximum control over the movement of each tooth.

Among the brace systems on offer at Capital Dental, Twickenham, are:

Dental implants: the many life benefits of treatment

Numerous benefits can be had from using dental implants to replace your missing teeth. At Capital Dental in Twickenham we offer a number of implant solutions, which will be fully customised to suit your individual needs. If you have lost one or more of your natural teeth, why not join us for a consultation with an implant dentist, to find out how you could soon have your smile back – and so much more, besides?

dental-implants-hamptonDental implants are one of the fastest-growing areas of modern dentistry, with huge advantages in terms of techniques, materials, and who is suitable for treatment being made over the past three decades. Small titanium artificial tooth roots, implants alleviate many of the common problems associated with dentures, and offer a more long-term solution than standard dental bridges.

Dental implants in Twickenham

At Capital Dental in Twickenham, our implant dentist can treat anything from a simple single implant and crown placement to a full-mouth restoration, including additional procedures to rebuild your jaw bone density to maximise your implants’ chance of success.

Dental implants actually have a very high success rate – more than 90%. With proper care and regular maintenance visits to your dentist and hygienist, they could even last you for the rest of your life.

Implant placement requires minor oral surgery, carried out under either local anaesthetic or sedation at our Twickenham dental practice. Your dentist puts your implants in carefully planned locations – often the sockets left empty by lost teeth – in order to support a crown, a bridge, or a denture, and to withstand the forces generated by biting and chewing.

In some cases of full-arch restoration, it is possible to place your new teeth at the same time as your dental implants. In other cases a healing period of a few months is required, during which your implants will integrate with your jaw bone.

When your new teeth are attached, they will both look and function in the same way as natural teeth, providing several life benefits. These include:

  • Teeth stay in place at all times
  • Ability to eat what you like
  • Ability to speak clearly
  • No extra strain on remaining teeth

Adult braces are both subtle and functional: here’s what they can do

Discreet braces and aligners designed for subtle orthodontic correction have risen rapidly in popularity in recent years. Capital Dental in Hampton offers a large number of discreet orthodontic treatment options, which can be an excellent choice for adults with busy professional lifestyles.

adult-bracesAdults who missed out on orthodontic treatment during their teenage years, or who experienced adult relapse through not maintaining the retention stage of their treatment for long enough, often feel trapped with their misaligned teeth. Unhappy to show their smile off because of crooked, crowded, or protruding teeth, but similarly unwilling to wear obvious metal braces, they believe that poorly aligned teeth is just their lot in life.

At Capital Dental in Hampton, we urge you to think again. In 2016 braces don’t have to equate with a mouth full of metal, and in some cases orthodontic treatment doesn’t have to mean wearing a fixed brace at all.

Orthodontic treatment has many benefits for patients of all ages. As well as improving your smile’s aesthetic appearance and boosting your confidence, properly aligned teeth are easier to keep clean because there are fewer hard-to-reach gaps in which plaque can accumulate. Straightening your teeth can cut your risk of gum disease and dental decay.

Protruding front teeth are more at risk of damage from accidental blows to the face, whilst problems with the bite can restrict your diet and can, in some cases, lead to bruxism – night-time tooth grinding. By using either braces or aligners, you can improve all of these conditions.

Hampton braces and aligners: treatment options

When you come to Capital Dental in Hampton for an orthodontic consultation, your dentist will assess the type and amount of correction required, and will take lifestyle factors into account whenever possible.

Depending on your clinical situation, they may recommend:

Tooth-coloured braces

With clear ceramic brackets and tooth-coloured wires, these braces are designed to blend in with the natural colour of your teeth. We offer tooth-coloured braces for quick cosmetic correction, as well as to treat more intensive problems.

Invisalign

Sometimes called invisible braces, this system of clear, removable aligners can correct a wide range of problems.

Dental implants: a way to enjoy a second chance at natural-acting teeth

Dental implants have numerous benefits over traditional tooth replacements, both bridgework and dentures. At Capital Dental in Twickenham our skilled implant dentist has performed numerous procedures to restore not just a patient’s smile, but also the full functionality of a jaw of healthy teeth.

dental-implants-TwickenhamIf you have lost one or more of your natural teeth, read on to discover how dental implants could give you a second chance at a healthy mouth. . .

Twickenham dental implants

Losing teeth, whether through an accident or injury, because of gum disease or tooth decay, or as part of the natural ageing process, is a distressing experience that can leave you ashamed to smile in public. The negative effects on your confidence, and potentially on your social life, are bad enough, but there are also health concerns associated with missing teeth.

Even one lost tooth instantly puts more strain on remaining teeth when you bite and chew. These teeth may also move into any gaps, becoming crooked and harder to keep clean in the process, ultimately raising your chances of losing more teeth. If several of your teeth are missing, you may struggle to bite and chew at all, impacting on your ability to enjoy a healthy diet, and your speech may also be affected. When most or all of your teeth are missing in one jaw, your jaw bone will start to resorb.

Dental implants provide a permanent solution to tooth loss, and one which combats all of these problems. Small titanium screws that are placed directly in your jaw bone under local anaesthetic or sedation here at our Twickenham dental practice, dental implants form a strong bond with your bone and encourage bone growth. They will hold your teeth firmly in place, so that you can eat what you like, smile and laugh with confidence.

In most cases, for multiple tooth replacement, you won’t need as many implants as teeth, as one dental implant can usually support more than one tooth. When you come into our Twickenham practice for an implant consultation, your dentist will advise you of how many dental implants you need.