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Posts Tagged ‘implants’

Bone Grafting –  Making the Impossible Possible for Dental Implants

Monday, January 23rd, 2017

Dental implants are one of the most exciting developments in modern dentistry. They can literally transform your smile and give you back your confidence. Implants are suitable for many people, but they’re not always the best solution for patients with missing teeth. In some cases, you may be told that you’re not a suitable candidate for implants because there is a lack of dense bone tissue in the jaw. If this is the case, you don’t have to give up your dreams of a beautiful new smile. We can often carry out bone grafting to strengthen the bone tissue, and build up bone mass.

What is bone grafting?

Bone grafting is a procedure, which involves taking bone from one part of the body or using an artificial bone substitute and placing it a different part of the body. In the case of dental implants, grafting is used to increase bone density in the jaw, so that the bone is capable of securing a dental implant. Most commonly, our dentists take tissue from the hip or a different part of the mouth to prepare for implant treatment.

What happens during a bone graft?

Before you have treatment, your dentist will do some X-rays to check the depth and strength of the bone tissue. If the tissue isn’t dense enough, bone grafting may be recommended. Once the bone has been removed from the donor site, most commonly the hip, your dentist will make a small incision in the gum to create a flap. The flap will be lifted, and the donor tissue placed onto the jaw bone. The flap will then be closed, and the incision sutured. Gauze will be placed over the incision to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection. In total, healing time takes around 4 months. Once the healing process is complete, the implant can be placed.

Does bone grafting work?

Bone grafting is not successful in every single case. However, the success rate is very high, and most people go on to enjoy successful implant treatment.

The Benefits of the Dental Implant Process

Tuesday, August 16th, 2016

Dental implants are a dentistry solution for people with missing teeth to have one or more replacement tooth roots inserted. Nowadays, people with dentures, bridges and crowns can choose a more stable, natural tooth replacement treatment with dental implants.

Dental implants are titanium-made posts or screws to which artificial replacement teeth are anchored. These titanium posts are inserted through the gum tissue and securely fitted. Over time these posts permanently fuse with the jaw bone structure through a process called osseointegration.

Diagnostic tests for patients enable dentists to identify jaw bone suitability for dental implants. If too narrow the jaw bone may need to be strengthened through bone augmentation procedures. In some cases, a sinus lift may be necessary to create enough space for dental implant insertion without impacting the sinus cavity.

Dental implant software enables the dentist to specify exactly where the dental implants are to be inserted. A tiny incision is created within the gum and a flap of gum tissue lifted, at which point the dental implant is inserted. A small drill is used to gently create a carefully-measured space within the jaw bone for insertion of the titanium post, custom-made for the patient’s treatment and their dental and jaw dimensions.

The dentist then inserts temporary or immediate dental implants into the space made within the jaw bone. The insertion site is treated and then left to heal for a period of six weeks to six months. The recovery time for the bone to start fusing and the gum tissue to heal is different for each person depending on their health condition and rate of healing.

The process may take longer if a bone graft is necessary to build up the jaw bone density first, or if a sinus lift is needed to protect the sinus cavity. Once healed, permanent dental implants are fitted and anchored with natural-looking replacement teeth.

Gaps In Your Smile? This Could be the Solution!

Friday, August 12th, 2016

Tooth loss can happen for a number of reasons, including injury, tooth decay, or just general ageing. If a tooth is lost, it is important to have the gap filled in some way, or the effects could end up causing you further pain.

Effects of untreated tooth loss

Oral hygiene is much more difficult if a gap is left in your teeth and bacteria can build up in the space, leading to bad breath and infection. In addition, losing teeth can affect your speech function, as well as the ability to eat the foods you want, as you simply would not have the teeth to bite or chew. An even more serious consequence is bone loss. As your teeth sit in your mouth, the tissue surrounding them is regenerated as part of your body’s normal healing process. However, if you lose a tooth and leave a gap, the material – including the bone – around the gap will start to atrophy. In other words, the bone will start to disappear. This can change the shape of your jaw, and contribute to you looking more aged.

Dental implants

Thankfully, dental implants can help stop these problems. Dental implants are small metal rods inserted into the jaw structure, which help to hold replacement teeth in place. The implants are made of titanium, which easily fuse with the bone structure in your jaw. Rather than a loss of bone, as would happen with a gap in teeth, an implant helps stimulate bone growth. In addition, implants can function just like your own teeth, allowing you to speak and eat as normal. They only require the same oral hygiene routine as your other teeth, and will allow you to have a natural looking and feeling smile.

How to Effectively Secure Dentures with Mini Implants

Thursday, August 4th, 2016

You can lose a tooth for a number of reasons, whether through an accident or as result of poor oral hygiene that has led to decay.  Whatever the reason, it is vital that you have it replaced.  An incomplete set of teeth will only make eating and drinking more difficult and your teeth might start to shift into the gaps left behind by your vacant tooth.

Partial dentures are an option, but for a permanent solution, you might consider having dentures secured in your mouth using mini implants.  These implants act as the root part of your missing tooth and require a pre-drilled socket, into which a pontic (false tooth) can be secured.  Mini implants are extremely stable because they are placed tight with the jaw bone so that they will eventually osseointegrate or fuse together.

An X-ray or CT scan will be necessary to assess the area properly and then, under local anaesthetic, your dentist will make a small incision in your jaw. This is where the mini implant will be placed before the jaw is stitched back up.  While your mouth is healing, you will wear a temporary replacement tooth.  Once your dentist is satisfied that the area is healed and the mini implant is stable, your permanent replacement tooth will be attached to the implant.

Mini implants truly represent a long term solution to tooth loss.  The replacement teeth attached to the implants can be treated just like normal teeth and cleaned easily, so you needn’t worry when you are eating.

Natural-Looking Implants: a Long Term Solution for Missing Teeth

Wednesday, February 10th, 2016

At Liverpool Dental Spa we offer a range of tooth replacement treatments, including natural-looking dental implants.

Dental implants represent a long-term solution for lost teeth and enable you to enjoy all the same benefits of strong and healthy natural teeth.

All about dental implants

Dental implants are made from titanium and their purpose is to replace the root of a missing tooth. The implant is fitted into a socket in the jaw bone and it is able to become part of the bone tissue thanks to a process called osseointegration.

Once the process is complete, a new restoration can be attached and this replaces the crown section of the tooth. One of the many benefits of dental implants is that they are compatible with a range of different restorations and this means that they are suitable for most patients.

Implant treatment takes between 3 and 9 months and the result is a natural looking, strong and functional new tooth or set of teeth.

What are the advantages of dental implants?

Dental implants are the best long-term option for replacing missing teeth and they also offer many additional benefits, including excellent aesthetics, enhanced bite power and durability. Implants are easy to maintain and they act like natural teeth, so you can have complete peace of mind and enjoy eating and socialising with confidence. Implants also help to reduce bone loss and can be fitted to crowns, dentures or a dental bridge, making them hugely versatile.

Natural-Looking Implants: A Long Term Solution for Missing Teeth

Tuesday, October 6th, 2015

At Liverpool Dental Spa we offer a range of tooth replacement treatments, including natural-looking dental implants.

Dental implants represent a long-term solution for lost teeth and enable you to enjoy all the same benefits of a strong and healthy natural tooth.

All about dental implants

Dental implants are made from titanium and their purpose is to replace the root of a missing tooth. The implant sits in a socket in the jaw bone and is able to become part of the bone tissue thanks to a process called osseointegration.

Once the process is complete, a new restoration can be attached and this replaces the crown section of the tooth. One of the many benefits of dental implants is they are compatible with a range of different restorations and this means they are suitable for most patients.

Implant treatment takes between 3 and 9 months and the result is a natural looking, strong and functional new tooth or set of teeth.

What are the advantages of dental implants?

Dental implants are the best long-term option for replacing missing teeth and they also offer many additional benefits, including excellent aesthetics, enhanced bite power and durability. Implants are easy to maintain and act like natural teeth, so you have complete peace of mind and can enjoy eating and socialising with confidence. Implants also help to reduce bone loss and they can be fitted to crowns, dentures or a dental bridge, making them hugely versatile.

What Are Implant-Retained Dentures in the Centre of Liverpool?

Wednesday, July 30th, 2014

Implant-retained dentures combine the advantageous aspects of dentures and dental implants and they are an excellent option for patients who have a large number of missing teeth.

Everything you need to know about implant-retained dentures!

With implant-retained dentures, the denture is anchored by dental implants, rather than the suction of the gums and this provides much greater stability. With implants there to hold the denture in place, there is no risk of the denture sliding out of position and this means that you have complete peace of mind, as well as the ability to chew food with force. As there is no chance of the denture coming loose, you can eat whatever you like without any worry at all, so crusty bread and juicy steaks don’t have to be off the menu.

Implant-retained dentures are also much easier to clean and maintain and you don’t have to spend time every day soaking your dentures. This treatment is simple and stress-free; there is no need for denture adhesive and you simply clean your mouth in the normal way.

What does treatment involve?

The first stage of treatment is the planning stage. We will arrange a consultation so that we can talk through the procedures and discuss treatment time. We will also be able to explain how the treatment works and outline the benefits and of course, we will be on hand to answer any questions you might have.

Once planning is complete, the first procedure can take place. This involves placing the dental implants. To do this, a small incision is made in the gum and the gum flap is lifted; the implant is then secured into a pre-drilled hole in the jaw and the gum flap is closed and stitched.

Once the implants have healed, the dentures are placed in position.

If you would like to find out more about implant-retained dentures or our other tooth replacement treatments, don’t hesitate to give us a call today!

Patient Testimonial

Monday, May 16th, 2011

I would like to thank everyone at Liverpool Dental Spa for being so lovely to me during my treatment. I am thrilled with the results of my implants and so a special thanks to Mr Mcgovern for making it happen. I have my smile back after years of hiding my teeth. A special thanks to Lisa I have really enjoyed our chats which I will miss now that my treatment has finished. What will I do with my Thursdays now?

Once again many thanks and I’ve already recommended you to my friends and colleagues.

Margaret

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6 Dentistry Awards!

Winners for National UK Award

  • > 2009 Best Dental Team

Winners for North West Awards

  • > 2009 Best Dental Team
  • > 2008 Best Dental Practice

Finalists for North West Awards

  • > 2009 Best Practice
  • > 2008 Best Dental Team

Finalist & Highly Commended for

  • > 2007 Best Young Dentist Dr Marius McGovern