Dental Blog - Capital Dental Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental implants: options for patients who have suffered bone loss

Dental implants are a great, modern way to replace missing teeth, but some patients are still being told by their dentist that they are unsuitable for implant treatment because they lack the bone density to support them. At Capital Dental in Twickenham, we know this isn’t the case. Our skilled implant dentist Dr Sunny Luthra can treat even complex implant cases, giving you back a beautiful, functional smile.

What is bone loss?

When we lose teeth, the jaw bone frequently starts to resorb or shrink back without the tooth roots in place. This is a common problem in patients who have worn conventional dentures for some years, because while the dentures replace the crowns of the teeth, they do not replace the roots. Bone shrinkage can make the placement of dental implants more complex – but by no means impossible.

How dental implants help

Dental implants help to prevent bone loss because they replace the root portion of your missing teeth. Placed in direct contact with the bone in a small operation, carried out under local or general anaesthetic here at our Twickenham dental practice, the implants are osteoconductive – meaning they support bone growth.

What if I’ve already experienced bone loss?

If you have been wearing traditional dentures for many years, your dentist may have told you that you cannot have dental implants because bone loss has already happened. We are keen to reassure you that this isn’t the case – you may just need an additional procedure to rebuild your bone first.

At our Twickenham clinic Dr Luthra is able to provide bone grafts and sinus lifts, both of which are designed to regenerate the bone in your jaw prior to placing dental implants. Donor bone – your own or bone from another human, animal, or synthetic source – is used in the rebuilding process and left to heal before implants are fitted.

Discreet braces and aligners – the modern way to straighten your teeth

If, when you hear the word “braces” you picture traditional metal orthodontic devices, you are not alone. At Twickenham dental practice Capital Dental, we are keen to point out that in the modern world there are now a number of subtler alternatives to metal train-track appliances for those on a quest for straighter teeth.

What is discreet orthodontics?

Discreet orthodontics uses either braces or aligners to gently move your teeth into a new position. It’s a mistake to think that that these devices are only for cosmetic correction; many discreet orthodontic products can also be used for health reasons, and any teeth straightening treatment comes with health benefits, because straighter teeth are healthier teeth thanks to being easier to clean.

Aligners or braces?

When you come for a consultation at our Twickenham dental practice, your dentist will carefully examine your teeth and gums before recommending all appropriate treatment options. We have several systems of discreet braces and aligners available, and you will be briefed on the pros and cons of each appropriate treatment so that you can make an educated choice.

Among the options available at our Twickenham dental practice are:

Invisalign

This series of clear aligners is an alternative to braces, fitting over your teeth snugly to gently move them into a better position. Invisalign is removable, and can be used to treat a number of orthodontic issues.

Quick Straight Teeth

These cosmetic braces comprise clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires, blending into your mouth. They work on the front teeth only, meaning treatment takes between four and 24 weeks.

Cfast Clear Braces

Cfast is another brace system that utilises clear and tooth-coloured components for a high degree of discretion. It is best suited to patients who have mild to moderate aesthetic concerns about the appearance of their smile.

Dental implants: the only permanent way to replace your teeth

Dental implants are one of the most rapidly growing areas of modern dentistry. At Capital Dental in Hampton, we believe that implants are, in many cases, the best way for your dentist to replace your natural teeth.

dental-implants-hampton Missing teeth often cause social embarrassment, making you wary of smiling in public. However, there are further health implications associated with lost teeth, as your ability to eat a healthy diet can be affected and you may find yourself restricted to soft or liquid foods. Any remaining teeth are likely to become misaligned and crooked as they move into gaps, making them more difficult to clean and ultimately increasing your chances of further tooth loss. Your jaw bone is also likely to start shrinking when several teeth are missing.

Dental implants address all of these problems. They are the only way that your dentist can restore not just the aesthetic beauty of your smile, but also the full functionality of natural teeth, meaning that you can eat whatever you want. Because they are in direct contact with your jaw bone, and because they are made of titanium (which supports bone growth) dental implants also help to prevent bone shrinkage.

How it works

Your dentist places your dental implants directly in your jaw bone in a minor operation, carried out under local or general anaesthetic here at our Hampton clinic. Depending on your needs, the implants may then be left to heal for a few months before permanent new teeth are attached, or your new teeth may be fitted immediately. This latter option is called All-on-4, and involve the use of four carefully angled implants to restore a full arch of teeth.

Dental implants and the teeth attached to them look and act just like natural teeth. With regular visits to the dentist and hygienist at our Hampton dental practice, they can last you a lifetime.

Discreet teeth straightening with braces or aligners: the choice is yours

Braces are a popular and efficient way to straighten teeth, but for many adults the thought of wearing an obvious orthodontic device for up to 24 months can be a significant barrier to treatment. Here at Capital Dental in Hampton, we believe that everybody deserves a beautiful smile. For that reason, we offer a number of discreet ways to straighten your teeth.

Braces versus aligners

Discreet orthodontics is one of the fastest-growing areas of 21st Century dentistry. At our Hampton practice we offer both braces and aligners as ways to straighten your teeth, without everybody having to know you are undergoing treatment. Depending on what your specific needs are, many of these devices also have significantly shorter treatment times than traditional orthodontic appliances.

When you come into our Hampton practice for a consultation, your dentist will carefully examine your teeth and will listen to what you want to achieve. Both clinical and lifestyle factors are taken into consideration when recommending aligners or braces.

Here are some of the most popular discreet orthodontic treatments at our Hampton practice:

Invisalign

Invisalign comprises a series of clear aligners, which are custom-made to fit your teeth and which you change regularly as your teeth start to move. As well as being clear, thus practically invisible in everyday life, Invisalign aligners are removable, which means they have minimal impact on your social life and make maintaining dental hygiene during treatment a piece of cake.

Cfast

Cfast are cosmetic braces comprising clear brackets and tooth-coloured nickel-titanium wires, which blend in with the natural colour of your teeth. They are not designed for major orthodontic correction and typically work in about six months, because they focus on the front six teeth – those that show when you smile. Because Cfast use lighter forces than standard orthodontics, treatment is more comfortable, too.

Dental implants: a fixed, permanent tooth replacement option

Dental implants are a very popular way to replace missing teeth. At Capital Dental in Twickenham, our skilled implant dentists can restore your smile and your ability to eat a full, healthy diet by replacing one or more of your natural teeth with implants.

Even if you have been told by another dentist that you are not suitable for treatment with dental implants because you have experienced bone loss, the implantology team at our Twickenham practice may be able to help, so we urge you to get in touch. Bone loss is a very common side-effect of tooth loss, and is particularly prevalent in patients who have worn traditional dentures for some years. It happens because, without the tooth roots in place, the jaw bone starts to resorb.

Bone resorbtion can make implant placement more complex, but these days by no means impossible. Our Twickenham dental practice is fully equipped to provide additional treatments, known as bone grafts and sinus lifts, which rebuild your bone prior to implant treatment. After a healing period you should once again have adequate bone density to support dental implants.

Dental implants replace the root portion of your missing tooth or teeth. Placed directly in the jaw bone by your dentist in a minor surgical procedure, the implants meld with your bone and create a strong anchor on to which new teeth – dentures, bridges or crowns – can then be attached.

In most cases implant placement requires only a local anaesthetic, with many patients reporting it as being more bearable than having a tooth extracted. However, our Twickenham practice is also able to provide treatment under conscious sedation if you are a nervous or phobic patient.

Dental implants and the restorations attached to them don’t just look like natural teeth, they function like them too, and with proper care will last you many years.

Braces to straighten your teeth – in secret

What does the word “braces” conjure up in your mind? Most people will instantly picture traditional metal wire-and-bracket devices, which are a very effective treatment but can also be quite off-putting, particularly to adult patients, because they are so very obvious in their mouth. At Capital Dental in Twickenham, we offer a number of discreet alternatives – many of which enable you to straighten your teeth in secret.

braces Braces do, in many cases, remain the best way to correct orthodontic problems. They provide your orthodontist or dentist with maximum control over the movement of your teeth.

An alternative to braces is clear aligners, which are increasing in popularity and can now be used to treat a large number orthodontic conditions. These fit over your teeth and have the added advantage of being removable, meaning that it is easier to maintain good dental hygiene during treatment.

If you come into our Twickenham practice for orthodontic treatment, here are some of the discreet products you may be offered. . .

C-fast braces

C-fast are tooth-coloured fixed appliances which have been designed to correct mild cosmetic problems. They work in an average of just five months, and achieve such quick results because they only focus on the “social six” teeth – those that are on show when you smile. They are not meant for major orthodontic correction.

Quick Straight Teeth

Quick Straight Teeth are clear braces that also have a very fast treatment time. Treatment again focuses on the front six to eight teeth, and treatment is amazingly fast – typically taking between just four and 24 weeks.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a series of clear, removable aligners. They are one of the most popular options at our Twickenham practice, and it’s not hard to see why. They can correct a number of orthodontic issues and, because they are removable, have minimal impact on your lifestyle.

Why an investment in dental implants could be the best decision you make

Dental implants are one of the best ways for a dentist to replace your missing teeth. Here at Capital Dental in Hampton, our skilled implantology team can treat even complex cases where additional work is required to rebuild your jaw bone prior to implant placement. Both bone grafts and sinus lifts are available at our Hampton clinic, so even if your own dentist has told you that you can’t have implants because you lack the bone density to support them, we believe we can help.

How dental implants work

Dental implants were invented in the 1980s and have undergone continuous research, refinement and development since then. They are artificial tooth roots, made out of titanium and put straight into your jaw bone in a minor surgical procedure, which can be carried out under either local anaesthetic or sedation here at our Hampton dental practice.

Your implants will, over the course of a few months, form as strong bond with your jaw bone. At the end of your healing period, your dentist will check that they have integrated sufficiently with your jaw bone before attaching your permanent new teeth on top. Depending on your clinical needs and your preference, these new teeth may be bridges, dentures, or crowns.

Dental implants: the advantages

The advantages of dental implants are manifold. Not least, as previously touched upon, they are the only permanent way to replace your missing teeth. They are designed to last, and have a success rate of up to 98%.

Because they integrate with the jaw bone, implants help to prevent the problem of bone loss which often arises when teeth are missing. If you have already experienced bone loss, we can use a sinus lift or bone graft to rebuild the bone here at our Hampton practice.

Implants enable you to eat a full, healthy diet and to smile with confidence because they look and act like natural teeth.

How to get the benefits of braces without the mouth of metal

Many adults put off seeking orthodontic treatment because they think metal braces are the only option available. At Capital Dental in Hampton, we understand that whilst traditional orthodontic devices offer treatment that is both reliable and predictable, they are not particularly compatible with busy adult lifestyles. That’s why we offer a number of discreet orthodontic options for patients who want straighter teeth.

What is discreet orthodontics?

braces Discreet orthodontics involves using either tooth-coloured braces or clear aligners to guide your teeth into a new position. The best treatment option for you will depend on the type and amount of correction needed, and we will also take lifestyle factors into account when recommending treatment.

If you are interested in discreet braces or aligners, you should book an orthodontic consultation at our Hampton dental practice.

What are my treatment options?

As previously mentioned, your treatment options will depend on the type and amount of orthodontic correction required. When you come for your initial consultation at our Hampton clinic, your dentist will carefully examine your teeth and will then run through all appropriate options with you.

Among the most popular options at our Hampton practice are:

Cfast Clear Braces

These braces are nearly invisible, because they comprise tooth-coloured wires and clear brackets, so they blend in well with the natural colour of your teeth. Their unique design makes them more comfortable than standard braces, and they are best suited to mild to moderate aesthetic concerns, because they focus on the teeth that show when you smile.

Quick Straight Teeth

Quick Straight Teeth also uses clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires to move your teeth into a new position. These braces are primarily suited to mild to moderate aesthetic concerns, concentrating on the front six-eight teeth.

Invisalign

Invisalign clear aligners can correct a wide range of orthodontic problems. They are removable and highly discreet, and you will need a series of aligners to complete treatment.

Common questions about dental implants answered

Have you lost one or more of your teeth? Dental implants may be one of the options you are considering to replace them. Here at Capital Dental in Twickenham, we always recommend replacing missing teeth – not just for aesthetic reasons, but also for dental and general health benefits. If you don’t replace missing teeth your remaining teeth may become crooked as they move into any gaps, making them more difficult to clean. You may also find that your diet is restricted to soft foods, particularly if several or all your teeth are missing.

capital-dental-implants Dental implants are a common way to replace missing teeth. We understand that this is a big decision and that you may have some questions about implants. Here, we have gathered some common patient questions – if you can’t find an answer to yours, please get in touch with our Twickenham practice and we will be happy to help you.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are small titanium screws used to replace the root portion of a tooth. They are placed in the jaw bone by your dentist in a minor operation, which is carried out at our Twickenham practice. They can then provide firm support for new teeth in the form of crowns, dentures or bridge.

Is everybody suitable for implant treatment?

More patients than ever before are benefitting from treatment with dental implants. In the past, those who had experienced bone loss (particularly those who have worn traditional dentures for some years) may have been told they do not have enough bone density for implants. However, we can now carry out bone grafts or sinus lifts at our Twickenham clinic to rebuild your bone.

Can I have new teeth straight away?

In some cases it is possible to replace a full arch of teeth with implants and restorations in one appointment. In other cases, a healing period is advised first – your dentist will discuss these options with you.

Discreet braces to straighten your teeth

Braces. What do you picture when you hear that word? At Capital Dental in Twickenham, we are keen to point out that orthodontic treatment need not necessarily involve wearing traditional metal devices. In many cases it is possible to correct the alignment of your teeth using invisible or near-invisible products.

Why straighten your teeth?

capitaldental-discreet-braces As well as the obvious aesthetic concerns that make many patients who visit our Twickenham practice worried about smiling in public, it is also widely acknowledged that straighter teeth are healthier teeth. This is because they are easier to clean, and there are not so many gaps or tricky areas for food particles to get trapped in and plaque bacteria to build up.

What is discreet orthodontics?

Orthodontics has seen rapid advances in recent years. Metal braces are no longer the only treatment option available. At our Twickenham dental practice, we have helped scores of patients to straighten their teeth using discreet braces or clear aligners.

Some of the most popular alternatives to metal braces at our Twickenham dental practice include. . .

Invisalign

Invisalign is a series of clear, removable aligners that fit over your teeth to gently guide them into a new position. They are very discreet because they are entirely clear, so are not noticeable in everyday life.

Invisalign clear aligners also have minimal impact on your lifestyle, because you can take them out for short periods to clean them, to brush your teeth, and to eat and drink.

Cfast Braces

Cfast braces use tooth-coloured wires and clear brackets to move your teeth into a new position, for maximum discretion. They are best suited to mild to moderate orthodontic problems, and work more quickly than traditional orthodontic devices because they focus on the front six teeth – those that are visible when you smile. Because they also use lighter forces than traditional orthodontic options, they are also very comfortable.