Your teeth are often underrated when it comes to their effect on overall aesthetics. Dental implants in Ipswich can make a radical change to your overall look by replacing a visually important tooth with one that feels and looks just like a natural one!
Restorative vs. cosmetic?
Some patients see oral implants as a strictly restorative procedure, restoring function by returning a tooth, and they’re not wrong. When it comes to the front-most obvious teeth, there is also a cosmetic element, and it can be more beneficial to the appearance of your smile than you think to undertake this procedure. At Ipswich Dental Surgery, we see dental implants in Ipswich as straddling the line between the two, but that does not detract from them. The cosmetic aspects of any dental procedure are still important; our appearance and, therefore, self-esteem is heavily connected to our teeth, and that should not be something to shy away from but should always be considered part of dental care.
It’s fair to argue that one of the functions of our teeth is that they should have a positive impact on our overall look, hence why we show them when we smile!
How does implantation work?
Implantation takes place over two sessions, with a long period of healing allowing in between. The metal component of the implant has to become fully integrated into the jawbone for the treatment to work, and, in the first session, soft tissue around the implant site is opened exposing the jawbone underneath. A hole is drilled in the jawbone, and the titanium component of the implant acts as an artificial root. It is placed into the jaw, and the gum is closed over the top and then stitched closed, holding the implant in place and stopping it from being disturbed.
Over 4 to 12 months, new bone will be laid down around the implants, which will anchor and fix the implants in place. After their integration is confirmed by x-ray, the second part of the procedure, loading, can proceed. The loading phase is where the gum is reopened and the prosthetic tooth part of the implant is attached to its titanium root. From the point of loading onwards, the tooth is fully ready to use and can deal with the stress of eating and talking. This is the big advantage of doing the procedure within two stages; older implants were performed in one step, so patients had to be extremely careful not to dislodge or twist the implant during the integration stage, as it would become crooked or take longer to heal.
Can I get oral implants?
Probably, but it’s important to note that oral implants have a highly variable success rate. Thanks to the quality of our staff, equipment and expertise, our dental implants in Ipswich are above-average when it comes to success. However, some lifestyle choices and pre-existing conditions would significantly increase the chances of a failed implantation.
Failed implants usually occur at the integration stage; if the new bone growth is not substantial enough to anchor the implant, it is more likely to fail. Conditions affecting bone growth and bone density are particularly relevant when it comes to this procedure, so if you have osteoporosis, talk to our team at Ipswich Dental Surgery.
