Missing teeth can significantly impact your confidence and quality of life. If you’re searching for a durable and long-lasting solution to restore your smile in Kidlington, consider dental implants. This blog will explore the world of dental implants, discussing their benefits, the procedure, and how to care for them.
If you don’t have a full set of natural teeth, you are not alone. According to a Bupa news article, almost 75% of the UK population don’t have a full set of natural teeth and 6% have none of their original teeth left at all. Tooth loss in adults is not uncommon, especially as we age, we’re more likely to lose our permanent teeth. If you have a lone lost tooth, no teeth at all, or if you are becoming increasingly irritated with your ill-fitting dentures, our dentist in Kidlington can offer a long-lasting, great-looking solution to your missing teeth or denture worries.
Absent teeth or misbehaving dentures can cause a whole host of difficulties including:
- Chewing problems – meaning you could miss out on some of your favourite foods
- Speech difficulties – this can make it tricky to get your message across
- Self-esteem – a gappy smile can be a confidence killer
- Uncomfortable dentures – it can be a real pain if your false teeth are slipping or sliding around
- Bone loss – it’s a case of use it or lose it with your jawbone. If it isn’t kept stimulated by your teeth, it can begin to degenerate
- Teeth twisting and shifting out of place – if teeth start to move about food can become trapped and cause all kinds of dental problems
Dental implants in Oxford
Dental implants can help eliminate all these annoying issues and make life a whole lot better – you’ll be able to eat more chewy foods, be a lot chattier, and most of all you’ll have a great reason to smile. Fortunately, most people are suitable candidates but remember you have to be relatively healthy to achieve implant success, and smokers or people with diabetes have a greater risk of developing gum disease or infections after surgery.
Dental implants offer a strong, secure, and natural-looking solution for missing teeth. Implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed in the jawbone to act just like tooth roots. As titanium is a durable metal that is very well tolerated by the body, these cylindrical posts eventually fuse with the bone, providing a firm foundation for a crown or bridge.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
- Look, feel, and function like natural teeth
- Support and preserve your facial structure
- Give confidence to eat and chew whatever you choose
- Easy to clean and care for
- Help keep existing teeth in place and prevent them from twisting and turning
- Unlike crowns, they avoid the need to remove a healthy layer of tooth
- Improve your speech
Are dental implants right for me?
We can see if you’ll be a good match for dental implants when you have attended your consultation. Dental implants have a high success rate and are suitable for most people with incomplete smiles, but there are a few factors that may affect your suitability:
- The quality of your bone and supporting tissue – as mentioned previously, implants need to be held firmly in place. If your bone density isn’t good enough, we may need to provide bone grafting, or we can insert the implants in a way that takes advantage of the thicker areas of bone.
- The health of your remaining teeth and general oral hygiene, including your gums.
- Your overall health – if you are a heavy smoker or suffer from diabetes this method may not work for you. Your immune system needs to be able to cope with the surgical procedure and subsequent healing.
What is involved in having dental implants at The White Bridge Clinic?
If you think dental implants are a good option for you, or we have recommended dental implants as being the best solution, we will follow this process: –
We begin with a comprehensive assessment, evaluating your overall health, bite, oral hygiene, and jawbone density. If your bone volume is insufficient, we can complete the bone grafting treatment to ensure successful implant placement.
Next, we perform a straightforward surgical procedure to place the implants. Following this, we wait for the implants to integrate with your bone, a process that typically takes 3-6 months. To maintain your smile during this period, we’ll provide you with temporary teeth.
Once the implants have fully healed and are securely anchored, we proceed with the placement of your permanent crowns. And finally, it’s time to smile! We’ll provide aftercare instructions and leave you to confidently showcase your restored smile.
Aftercare for dental implants
Proper aftercare is crucial for the long-term success of your dental implants. This includes maintaining excellent oral hygiene, which involves brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing regularly, and using an antiseptic mouthwash as directed by your dentist. You should also avoid biting down on hard objects, such as pens, ice, or hard sweets, as this can damage the implant or its restoration.
If you take great care of your implants, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t last for years to come. We’ll let you know how to keep your lovely new teeth in tip top condition, so you’ll be armed with lots of implant-friendly cleaning techniques. And be sure to come and see us regularly so we can keep a watchful eye on your wonderfully restored teeth.
Book a consultation and make 2025 count!
Make 2025 the year you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of. Book a consultation with our friendly dentist in Kidlington, Oxford, to explore the possibilities of dental implants. You can give us a call on 01865 951861 to arrange a consultation, or you can book an appointment online. We’ll let you know your tooth replacement and implant options and happily answer any of your questions.
At The White Bridge Clinic, you’ll be warmly welcomed by our friendly team from the moment you arrive. We prioritise creating a comfortable and personalised experience for each patient, treating you as a valued member of our family. We’ll work closely with you to understand your dental goals and develop a customised treatment plan that perfectly aligns with your individual needs and preferences. Conveniently located with fast train links to London, onsite parking, and disabled access, we are here to make your dental journey as smooth as possible.
