Both replace gaps in teeth, but what are the pros and cons of each procedure?
When we lose a visible front tooth, it is almost certain that we will want to replace it and it goes without saying that having a gap in your teeth when you smile is and not too appealing!
Rear missing teeth should also be replaced; albeit less for visual reasons and more for practical purposes i.e. eating our food efficiently. In this week’s blog we will look at two of the main options for replacing a missing visible tooth; a bridge or a single implant.
Dental bridges
Dental bridges are an effective method of replacing a lost tooth and also offer a level of stability that is unlikely to be provided by a partial denture. Their appearance is also natural, and few people would be able to tell that you were wearing them. The benefit of a dental bridge is that it is a cost effective way of closing the gap, but it is not without its disadvantages. One of the key issues with a bridge is that, in order to secure it, the healthy teeth either side of the gap have to be prepared so the crowns which support the bridge have solid anchor points.
Bridges can also be a little tricky to keep clean and special care does need to be taken. In addition to this, the lack of a root in the bone means that bone deterioration will likely occur in the region where the tooth is missing and this can cause stability problems for the adjacent teeth over the longer term.
Dental implants
Why CT scans are used and how these differ from regular x-rays.
At the Darren Bywater Dental Implant Centre, we are continually monitoring new developments in implant dentistry, including new technologies that become available. Whilst there is no substitute for a skilled and experienced implant dentist, using these new technologies can make the process easier for both dentist, and, more importantly, for the patient.
Our Derby implant patients may be familiar with one of these technologies that has been around for a little time now; the CT scanner.
Why take CT scans?
Whilst regular x-ray machines certainly still have their uses, a CT scanner allows more advanced imaging in both 2D and 3D which allows the implant dentist to determine precisely where your implants should be placed.
X-rays can also offer a slightly distorted image which can be fine for general use, but the exact pin pointing of the location of your new dental implant is of such importance to its success, that the more accurate CT scan is a great advantage. X-rays also show only the the height of your teeth and bone whilst a CT scan also shows a cross section of your jaw, providing the dentist with a wider knowledge of your mouth. This knowledge also helps the dentist to determine whether you are immediately a good candidate for implants or whether you may need a prior procedure such as a bone graft or sinus lift.
No guesswork
How we help other dentists provide dental implants for their patients.
It is now widely acknowledged that dental implants are a significant innovation in the field of dentistry. Offering a stronger and more comfortable solution to missing teeth than dentures, an increasing number of dental practices now offer this procedure. Some practices though, may not be in a position to do so for a number of reasons.
Because of the sophisticated procedure involved with placing implants, the training period is quite lengthy and intensive. For this reason, older dentists who may be coming towards the end of their careers are understandably reluctant to take on this commitment. There are also many young dentists just starting out who may not yet have reached the stage where they are able to place implants confidently for their patients.
Implant referrals
This is where the Darren Bywater Dental Implant Centre can really help.
In the shorter term, we are able to take implant referrals from other dental practices. To date, over a hundred dentists, both local to Derby and nationally, have successfully referred their patients to us for implant treatment. Our professionalism and expertise in this field means that our referring dentists can be confident that their patients will be delighted with their implants. If you wish to discuss the referral of an implant patient to our Derby dental practice, please either complete the form on our website, or call our implant coordinator on 01332 550933.
Implant mentoring
Why your denture fit may degrade over time.
It has long been a standard of cartoonists around the world to show a pair of dentures shooting out of a person’s mouth to express surprise. Whilst this rarely happens in such an extreme way, it would be no exaggeration to say that a lot of denture wearers complain about discomfort from dentures that move around in their mouth.
When this happens, it can be embarrassing if it does so at an inappropriate time. It can also cause soreness to the gums, caused by the friction between them and the dentures. Inevitably, poor quality dentures get the blame, or sometimes, even the dentist! In the great majority of cases though, neither of these factors are responsible.
Bone loss
The main reason for dentures becoming loose, and therefore uncomfortable, is bone loss in the jaw. This causes small, but significant, changes to the shape of the face and it is this that is the main reason that dentures often fit poorly. The reality is that, when a tooth is lost, the body identifies that the bone in that area no longer has a role to play, i.e. holding a tooth in place, and over time, the jawbone slowly thins. Whilst this may not be too much of an issue where a single tooth has been lost, when a number of teeth have been lost, or even more so, a full arch, the effects can be quite dramatic.
Solutions
How this advanced form of gum disease can result in tooth loss.
Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in the UK. Gradually, this fact is being accepted by dental patients, and, at our Derby dental implant centre, we always take the opportunity to remind patients of the importance of not only keeping their teeth clean, but around their gums too.
Good gum health is also very important for patients who have had dental implants placed at Darren Bywater’s practice. Although it is not a natural tooth at stake, advanced gum disease especially, can have dire consequences for dental implants.
Prevention
As in all things medical, prevention is always better than the cure; and, as much as we think that dental implants are a wonderful invention, we would rather patients keep their natural teeth for as long as possible. With this in mind, a thorough cleaning regimen which includes flossing, should be adhered to; as well as regular hygienist visits to make sure that any signs of early gum disease are treated immediately. When caught early, the treatment is often minor and may simply include better home oral health care and a thorough clean by our in-house hygienist.
Dangers
Some things you may have thought were true about the dentist, but aren’t!
In today’s blog we look at some of the misconceptions some people have about dentistry in general and try to separate the fact from the fiction to help you make a more informed decision.
1. Dentists have little time for anxious patients.
Nothing could be further from the truth. As part of their training, dentists will learn how to care for anxious patients and how to put them at ease. It might surprise patients to know that some dentists are also anxious, to some degree, when it comes to receiving dental treatment, so we can empathise with how nervous individuals actually feel.
2. Dental fear can never be overcome
Yes it can. Sometimes it can take a reasonably long period of time, but, with a little help, most people can overcome it sufficiently to receive the necessary treatment. Whether through talking therapy, relaxation or meditation techniques, many people can overcome their anxieties at least to some degree. Doctors are also usually willing to provide short term medication for anxiety if this is preventing you from receiving important oral health care.
3. The state of my teeth are terrible, the dentist will judge me on that.
Age considerations when considering implant placement.
In previous blog posts, we have mentioned that, in most cases, age is not usually a factor when it comes to the placing of dental implants. It can though, bring different challenges that need to be considered depending on which stage of life you are in. In this blog post, our local implant dentist takes a look at some of these factors.
Youth
In some ways, our teenage years are one of the most likely phases of life to lose a tooth through an accident. Sports and general physical contact is common amongst boys in particular, and tooth loss at this important time of their life could have a devastating affect on confidence. Dental implants would seem to offer an excellent solution here; however, it is important to note that implant placement should not take place until the facial features are fully developed. This typically happens in our late teens, and, therefore, anyone losing a tooth in their early teens would be very unlikely to be suitable for dental implant placement at this time.
This is due to the ongoing growth of the jawbone, into which an implant would be placed. If it was placed too early, the implant could easily move and create problems. Generally, we recommend a partial denture with implants as the eventual goal. These are easily removed and an implant can then be placed once the jaw and mouth are fully developed.
Middle age
When delaying your dental implant procedure may be advisable.
At the Darren Bywater Dental Implant Centre, we firmly believe that dental implants offer most patients the best option available for replacing missing teeth. Feedback from our Derby patients also shows that those who have opted for this method have no regrets about it. However, there are well acknowledged reasons why implant placement may be delayed in order to create a better outcome in the long term. The most well known of these is where there is insufficient bone into which to place the implant. A bone graft or sinus lift can be used here to restore bone density and allow a secure implant placement to proceed.
There are two other reasons though, where it may be advisable for patients to delay having a dental implant procedure.
Sporting activity
Whilst having dental implants placed is not a problem for anyone taking part in sports such as rowing or athletics; where facial contact is likely such as boxing or even football, it may be better to delay having dental implants until such a time that the sport is no longer played. In fact, many footballers still use dentures, especially for the more vulnerable front teeth, as these can be removed for the duration of the game and replaced afterwards. Dental implants are so securely held in place by integration with the jaw bone, that a direct impact would not just result in a lost tooth, but could actually result in much more significant damage to the jaw itself. Of course, a gum shield is always sensible but even then, it may be worth considering the risk and discussing this with us before the implant treatment goes ahead.
Bruxism
The success rate of dental implant placement is very high but implants can sometimes fail.
At the Darren Bywater Dental Implant Centre in Derby, we have successfully placed implants for hundreds of satisfied patients over the years and have a very high success rate. Our implant staff are highly trained and the latest technologies and materials are used to help ensure a positive and successful outcome for our patients.
In life though, there are no 100% guarantees, and, like all medical procedures, there is always a possibility, however small, that the procedure may not be the success that was hoped for. This applies to dental implants as much as any procedure and we take a look below at some of the reasons why a dental implant could fail and what can be done to prevent it.
Older implants
Dental implants, once placed and allowed to fuse with the bone, are very long lasting and should be expected to last for many years.
Earlier implants however, would have been placed using less advanced technologies and possibly training too, and so may not survive this long. This does not mean that implants can’t be replaced though, and, if you take a look at our testimonials, you will see that we successfully replace failing implants for patients, as well as new ones.
Smoking and drinking
Some things you may have heard about oral health, may not necessarily be so….
Over time, if something is repeated often enough, some of us tend to believe it, even if there is little basis in fact. As you can probably imagine, as dentists, we hear a number of these ‘myths’ concerning oral health issues during our conversations with patients at the Darren Bywater Dental Implant Centre. As such we thought we’d address some of those here, so you can separate the fact from the fiction!
“Check Ups don’t need to be every six months”
It is almost written in stone that you should see a dentist every six months in order to have healthy teeth. Whilst some people with strong dental genes and a good diet, could, with a bit of luck, go for significantly longer and experience no problems at all, this is a highly risky strategy and not one we recommend. Many oral health issues appear gradually and may not be noticeable to the patient until it is very obvious, such as when a toothache strikes.
These problems can be avoided with regular professional dental care which usually is advised to be every six months. In some cases, we may even suggest three monthly check ups if you are in a high risk group such as diabetics.
