Posts Tagged ‘dental implants’

The bone graft procedure in Loughborough

Posted on: October 7th, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

Occasionally, when we do dental implants, we may be required to do a minor bone graft. This is identified when we do the planning of a case. For example, when a patient comes in asking for an implant, we take a CT scan. A CT scan is a 3D image of the jaw, allowing the dentist to see the bone in three dimensions to accurately predict how much bone the patient has in width and in length.

If the patient has a small defect in the bone, then we may be required to do a procedure called a minor bone graft. In order to demonstrate this, Dr Bohara, usually, use this example: “if I put a nail into the wall and I wanted to cover that nail, I would put some Poly-Filler to cover it. For a small bone graft, we use different types of bones. This can be either a man-made bone, prosthetic bone or it can be bovine bone. This is placed over the implant which matures into human bone.”

The other type of bone, which may be required in a very few cases, is a block graft. A block graft is indicated when a patient has a substantial amount of bone loss. A block graft, if required, is taken either from the chin or the back of the lower jaw. This is not placed at the time of implantation, therefore, if a patient had quite significant bone loss, we would do the block graft initially and allow that to heal for six months. Then we would place the implant after healing and allow that to heal for three months.

Like mentioned before, in very small amounts of cases, we may require either a minor bone graft or a block graft. This is crucial because this would allow us to have a stable implant which will last a very long time. When we do these procedures, many of the procedures are done under local anesthetic. That way the patient will not feel anything at all. In some cases, we have very nervous patients, and in these cases, IV sedation may be indicated to make the procedure as relaxing as possible for the patient.

The final bone graft procedure which may be required is in the upper jaw, and that is called a sinus lift. In the upper jaw’s posterior part, there are some instances where the patient may not have enough vertical height of bone for implantation. In these cases, we may have to use artificial bone or bovine bone and place it in the sinus to allow us to increase the height of bone, to allow us to place the implants.

If you are not sure whether or not you have enough bone structure to hold and implant and replace a missing tooth book your free consultation at our Loughborough clinic and learn your options.

What if you don’t have enough bone structure for dental implants in Nottingham?

Posted on: September 15th, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

When considering having dental implants, many patients worry about whether they are suitable or not, given that it takes a specific bone structure so dentists can work on dental implants. In order to ascertain whether a patient is suitable for dental implants, we take a particular course of action, which includes a well-executed planning stage.

The success of the entire process lies in the planning stage. Here are SameDay Teeth Suite, we take either 2-D X-rays or CT scans to evaluate the 3-D dimension of the bone. This allows us to plan before a patient implants if the patient has enough bone.

What if a Patient does not Have Enough Bone Structure?

If a patient’s bone structure is not enough for dental implants, then there are ways around this. If there is insufficient bone vertically, in a region of the upper jaw called posterior region, it is because the patient does not have enough bone under the sinuses. In this case, the proper course of action is to carry out a procedure called a sinus lift. It is a common procedure we carry out, through which we can increase the height of bone, which allows us to place dental implants in the upper posterior region

What Happens When a Patient Does Not Have a Lot of Bone?

Sometimes, when we take a CT scan, we notice that the patient may have very slight bone loss. We can handle this by placing a dental implant and then placing a minor bone graft at the same time. The analogy which Dr Bohara uses for this, to explain to patients, is that, “if I was to put screw into the wall and I wanted to cover that screw, I’d put a small poly filler over it. This is how I try to explain this type of procedure related to a minor bone graft.”
So, when we place a dental implant and we have minor bone deficiency, then we can place artificial bone straight on to that implant and then let that heal for approximately 3 to 4 months before placing the post and crown.

In some cases, a minor bone graft may not be adequate because the patient has lost too much bone. In these cases, which is very rare at our clinic, we can do something called a block graft. A block graft is using the patient’s own bone to widen the ridge to allow us to place dental implants.

It has become apparent that us here at SameDay Teeth Suite have various solutions and options for patients whose bone structure for dental implants is not enough. You have made us your trusted dental experts in the UK, which we are grateful. As a token of our appreciation, we invite you to book your free consultation, get a full assessment and receive your personalised quote, as per your needs.

Understanding The Design of Dental Implants in Loughborough

Posted on: August 1st, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

How do Dental Implants Work?

Dental implants are a great option if you have missing teeth, as it is very difficult to tell between implants and the real thing!

A dental implant is usually a cylindrical or tapered post made of titanium, which is surgically placed, into the jawbone.

After surgery, the implant fuses with your natural jawbone, and the two of them start growing together to form a strong and long-lasting foundation for your replacement tooth or teeth. The healing process can take from as little as a few weeks up to several months, depending on the individual case. But this process should not disturb your everyday life or be any nuisance at all.

As soon as the implant bonds with the jawbone, a small connector (known as an abutment) is then placed on top of the dental implant. This connects the implant to the replacement tooth or teeth. Lastly, a dental crown is fitted, meaning the implant resembles a white tooth.

How Do Dental Implants Look?

This can depend on who treats you. Here at SameDay Teeth Suite in Loughborough, where high-quality technicians with strong artistic abilities make an implant look like a tooth, the final result is superb and nothing can giveaway that you are wearing an implant.

However, not everyone can create the similar characteristics of a missing tooth or teeth, and we do see less aesthetic crowns that look either too dark or too wide. We feel that people deserve much better than this.

The crowns we often see have no depth of colour or validity in them whatsoever. Even worse, we sometimes see crowns where the patient smiles and there is a visible metal margin that is immediately apparent.

These issues are usually for one or more of the following reasons:

• The materials used
• How the implant has been designed
• The artistic ability of the technician

This is why we always make sure we work with high-end technicians (especially when doing front tooth implants) with a wide array of skills and a postgraduate education. Our technicians know what they are doing, so we deliver amazing results when constructing that front tooth or teeth.

At SameDay Teeth Suite in Loughborough, we arrange for the patient to meet our technician, whom we have worked with for many years and whom we trust, so our technician can get a computerised shade match of the patient’s teeth.

This technology will not only help get an accurate shade match but also produce a tooth shade map, where different colours of the different parts of the tooth are mapped. This is a very important stage when doing a front tooth.

A lot of clinics, unfortunately, just use a couple of ready made shade tabs to review against the teeth, but there are different shades on each tooth that also need to be incorporated when designing the colour, and the tooth itself.

Are Dental Implants Painful?

Here at SameDay Teeth Suite, we are very experienced at treating anxious patients, and we are a Dental Phobia Certified Practice. Of course, you can have your treatment done under sedation if you wish to. What’s most important to us is that you are relaxed and comfortable.

We also offer an excellent after-care service, so if there is any discomfort whatsoever, we will always be available to help and advise you.

Are there any failure risks?

In order to avoid failure, it is of the utmost importance to have a very experienced dentist and choose superior quality dental implants.

Needless to say, you will need to take care of your implant(s), and see a hygienist every 3 to 6 months after the dental implants are completed. These are critical steps in increasing the longevity of your implants.

A good hygienist, like the one we send our patients to see, will teach patients how to keep their implants clean, and offer advice, as care will be slightly different from keeping natural teeth clean.

Did you know that, according to research, brushing your teeth, using mouthwash, and flossing is only 40-50% effective in removing bacteria? It highlights the importance of visiting a hygienist regularly, so your implants last as long as possible.

What is the Cost?

Prices vary from one patient to another, and each patient gets an individually tailored treatment plan.

There are many factors that affect the cost of such treatment, including the quality of the final crown or restoration, and whether there is sufficient bone or not.

See below for example guidelines:
cost-and-treatment-plans-personalised-denture-implants-nottingham-leicester-loughborough-uk

SameDay Teeth Suite offer flexible finance plans, so once you have decided on the type of treatment you want, we can find the best repayment options depending on your budget.
For more information or to book your FREE initial consultation contact us HERE

 

How to get the very best front tooth dental implant in Leicester

Posted on: July 23rd, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

At the the SameDay Teeth Suite in Leicester we see many patients who have lost their front teeth and of course, this can be very embarrassing for those patients because of course, they want to be able to have a confident smile without having to wear a denture or having teeth cut down adjacent to nothing to it which can affect the longevity of those teeth. Dental implants are a great solution for a lot of these cases.

One of the hardest things in dentistry is to match 1 tooth to another tooth in the front for two reasons:

Reason number 1:

Without planning the case it will be difficult to get a great result. When we are doing a front tooth dental implant we do everything on the models before we ever do it in the mouth. We will start by taking photographs and X-Rays and plan the case to make sure that we have enough bone, and we do CT scans to allow us to carry out a 3D simulation enabling us to exactly plan where we’re going to place the implant.
This is very important because if you place them in the wrong position, then the tooth would emerge from the wrong position. Therefore, it is very important to plan it in the right position so that we have end results which will look very good.

When planning the case we also use a guide which is essential because when you place the dental implant you want to place it in the right position .The guide is produced from the CT scan to allow us to carry out 3d placement. Without using a guide for a front tooth, you are just guessing where the dental implant should be. This is very important that it’s done with precision. In some cases, when we place a dental implant in the front, we may have to do extra procedures such as bone graft which is just artificial filler to replace any missing bone, or we may have to do some soft tissue grafting which is sometimes required to plump up the tissue.

All these type of procedures, in some cases, may be indicated and the reason why they may be required is to make sure that the implant lasts as long as possible but also to improve the final aesthetical results of the front tooth.

Reason number 2:

It is very difficult because of course you’re creating the similar characteristics of that tooth. This is all dependable on working with high quality technicians who have an artistic ability to make that tooth look like a tooth.

We find it important to make sure that the technician we use has artistic ability in making the tooth look like a tooth. We often see various types of crowns when people are smiling that look unaesthetic. They look too wide or too dark. They look monochromatic meaning they look like one color. They have no vitality or they have no depth of colour in them. Sometimes we may see crowns where the patient smiles and we see a metal margin which looks unaesthetical and this all comes down to the materials used, how it has been designed and also the artistic ability of the technician. We always make sure when doing front tooth implants we work with high quality technicians who know what they’re doing, have a great array of skill, and also postgraduate education which allows them to deliver amazing results when constructing that front tooth.

At the SameDay Teeth Suite, we arrange for the patient to meet our technician. We only use 2 technicians in this area, whom we have worked with for many years. We find them really effective and they produce great results for us. The patient will see the technician for a computerized shade match. This involves using computer technology to get an accurate shade match, but also what they do is a tooth shade map. They map out the tooth and on that tooth map, they map out the different colours of the different parts of the tooth.

This is very important when doing a front tooth. A lot of clinics just get a couple of shade tabs out. They go “ A1, A2, and that’s it”. What’s very important when you look at a tooth is that there are different shades on the tooth which need to be incorporated when designing the colour of the tooth and designing the tooth.

With all front tooth dental implants, and as with any implant system, there are various abutments which can be used such as cast abutments. Certain abutments are called stock abutments which are already abutments produced or we can make CAD/CAM abutments, which are abutments milled by computer technology.

For the front teeth, our implant experts prefer to use CAD CAM abutments. The reason being is that we get something called a better emergence profile. This means that the end crown looks as close as possible to your natural looking tooth. If we skimp on materials we’re using it will always affect the end results. With our front teeth this is very important, because this is the first thing our friends, colleagues and family members will see when we smile.

The final thing which goes on the abutment, is a crown. We cannot stress enough how important it is to use high quality materials for these crowns.

For more information and to see some front tooth before after dental implant cases watch the video below

There are a variety of types of crowns, which can be used:

  • Porcelain bonded crowns
  • E-Max crowns
  • Zirconia crown
  • Various other types of all ceramic crowns.

For the front teeth, we tend to use crowns which are all ceramic. This gets better end results but also allows us to have good vitality, so that when the light shines through it, there’s no grayness and also the tooth looks as life-like as possible.

Also, there are various types of crown which are:

  • Cemented crowns , cemented on the abutment
  • Screw retained crowns, in which case the crown and the abutment is fused together and then screwed into the dental implant.

We tend to do more of this, which is milled by CAD/CAM technology as well designed by computers to give us that great end result. The reason why we tend to use more screw retained crowns is because it doesn’t involve cementation of that crown where there’s always a risk that the cement may go underneath the gum, potentially cause gum issues. This is why, about 70 to 80% of the cases we tend to use screw retained crowns.

You can see that from our portfolio of cases that you can access via the gallery page here, what the end result could look like.

 

5 Steps to Dental Implants and a Brand New Smile in Leicester

Posted on: July 14th, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

There are a few things that can make you self-conscious or spoil your smile. Missing teeth or having noticeable gaps between your teeth can not only change the way you look but how you feel about yourself. If you live in Leicester, the way to a brand new smile is with the Same Day Teeth Suite who provide a wide variety of dental treatments that can solve almost all your problems.

For missing teeth, by far the most popular option is to choose a dental implant, something that appears as close to your real tooth as possible and is very natural looking.

And if you live in Leicester you’re just 5 steps away from the perfect smile.

    1. The first step is to get your free guide from the Same Day Teeth Suite. It will tell you everything you need to know about how to restore your smile and how we have helped others do just that in the past.
    2. The second step is to book a free consultation. You can come to the Same Day Teeth Suite for an initial appointment and we will talk you through the benefits of dental implant treatment and all the things you need to consider. There are lots of reasons to have dental implants, from restoring missing teeth/gaps, improving chewing, replacing badly fitting dentures and failed bridges, to preventing bone loss in the jaw. At the consultation we will take x-rays if necessary, impressions and other information we need to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
    3. The third step is to go through your finance options. You can choose one of our finance plans which can continue up to 5 years and comes with an initial 12 months interest free credit.
    4. The fourth step is to actually have one of the treatments undertaken. At the Same Day Teeth Suite in Leicester we offer:
      • Standard implants – an artificial tooth that is placed in your jaw to hold a tooth or bridge. Implants are designed to provide a very strong base for permanent teeth.
      • Mini dental implants – these are a great alternative to a traditional dental implant and are ideal for replacing small teeth and incisors. They can also be used to stabilize a denture and cost less because of their size and ease in implanting.
      • All on 4 Implant System – compared to much more invasive traditional implants, the All on 4 System uses just four implants, strategically placed to support and hold a full arch prosthesis or hybrid bridge.
    5. The final step of the Same Day Teeth Suite experience is perhaps the most important. You need to go out and show off your fabulous new smile. You’ll be more comfortable and have greater confidence when speaking, smiling, and eating.

If you are planning to replace your existing dentures or partials with implant-supported teeth then choosing the Same Day Teeth Suite could make all the difference. If you are ready to transform your smile then contact our friendly team in Leicester today.

 

What are the most cost-effective options for teeth replacement in Nottingham?

Posted on: June 28th, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

There are various ways to replace missing teeth. One option is dentures, another is bridges and the other option is dental implants. Of course we see many patients with all of their teeth missing, and for them, the only option is to have dentures or dental implants, especially if what they don’t have are all of their upper or lower teeth.

Dentures

Here at Same Day Teeth Suite, we offer different types of dentures, ranging from standard dentures to BPS injection molded dentures to Swiss dentures. These types of dentures are different from one another in terms of the comfort of the fit, the quality of the materials used and the quality of the teeth, which make the dentures look as natural as possible.

With temporary dentures, it may be necessary to use an adhesive, but this will depend on the amount of bone you’ve got to ensure the stability and retention of the denture. When using upper dentures also, a huge part of your palate will be covered, which will inevitably affect your taste sensation. This may take some time to get used to.

Also with dentures, you will continue to use the bone in your jaw, and this means that as time goes by, your denture will get looser. Therefore, it is advisable to replace dentures approximately every 6 or 7 years to prevent continued bone loss in the future. It should be clear to you, however, that this pattern shall continue as long as you are using dentures.

Many people who have come and visit the Same Day Teeth Suite express their dissatisfaction with their denture. The main reason why they are unhappy with their denture is its poor quality. Their dentures are ill-fitting, loose, they cover the majority of their palate and they just don’t look real. As a result, it becomes very hard for them to eat their food properly and comfortably. What’s worse is that the appearance of their dentures makes them less confident about their smile.

Dental Implants

It is safe to say that the discomfort of using dentures is what convinces many patients to go for dental implants instead. Now, when we have someone with missing teeth in the upper or lower arch, the options available are high-quality dentures or dental implants either to retain dentures or to have fixed teeth. Each of these options can give the patient confidence in their smile and ability to chew their food better. But of course, there are advantages and disadvantages in both these procedures.

Dental implants are probably more affordable than you may actually think. Each case is different and each individual person is different. Every case is different in terms of the amount of bone the patient has, as well as their needs and expectations. All these factors need to be considered when estimating the cost of dental implants.

Let’s say, for instance, a patient needs to replace his upper or lower teeth, it would be more cost-effective to use dentures with dental implant. On the lower arch, there can be two dental implants with a denture on top. Or, it is also possible to have four implants with a denture on top. On the upper teeth we prefer to have a minimum of 4 to 5 implants for denture on top. This denture is still removable and has great stability, which should allow the patient to eat their food properly and easily.

All-on-4 Treatment

At Same Day Teeth Suite, we also offer procedures that are very inexpensive simply because they allow us to place few implants versus traditional implant procedures. The Teeth-in-a-day procedure or the All-on-4 treatment option is a very cost-effective procedure.

The All-on-4 procedure is advantageous to those patients suffering from severe lack of self-confidence because of their loose dentures, failing teeth, loose teeth caused by gum problems. This type of procedure is a better choice compared to having traditional implant treatments for fixed bridges for several reasons – it is more affordable, it is not as stressful, and it can be done in a much shorter time. More importantly, it reduces healing time.

When you have your teeth removed, there is an 88 percent chance that you can also have implants straightaway, and you can have an immediate bridge placed on the same day. That means that by the end of the day, you can again enjoy eating and drinking, which are the things you were not able to do easily when you had dentures.

Patients who qualify to have the teeth-in-a-day or the All-on-4 procedure would traditionally have 4 to 5 implants placed in one arch with an immediate bridge. And after 3 to 4 months, they will have the final bridge. The real benefit of this type of procedure is how quickly a patient can go from having a denture to having a fixed bridge in their mouth allowing them to eat straight away.

In many cases, traditional teeth replacement methods involve bone grafting. This procedure is actually quicker, less expensive and comes with shorter healing time, mainly because bone grafts are eliminated and few implants are required. So why should you consider this type of technique? Well, the cost is lower, there is decreased chair time and healing time and it is simply the quicker and better way of getting a happier and healthier smile. Let us not forget also that the surgery has a reduced complexity.

At SameDay Teeth Suite in Nottingham, we take pride in our range of inexpensive teeth replacement procedures. As explained, you can choose among high-quality dentures, removable dentures, high quality dentures on dental implants, and teeth-in-a-day procedures. Whatever option suits you, rest assured that you can have fixed teeth without the need of using any dentures in your mouth. We can guarantee that you will leave our clinic having a more confident smile and a greater ability to eat any food that you want.

 

Will My Teeth Look Natural With Dental Implants

Posted on: June 17th, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

There is no doubt that dental implants can make a big difference to your appearance. The most common question we get asked at the Same Day Teeth Suite is whether it will look completely natural. Even small changes to your mouth and teeth can alter your appearance, having a knock on effect on your self-confidence.

If you are having dental implants you will want to be sure that you are comfortable with your new look – you’ll be able to eat practically anything and have the confidence to smile and laugh without worrying about the state of your teeth. We are confident that the appearance of your new dental implants will surpass all your expectations.

How Dental Implants Work

The implant system itself begins under the gum line, in the bone tissue of the jaw. Titanium metal implants have osseophilic properties and fuse with the living bone to provide a secure anchor for the visible part which is called the crown.

Implant crowns are fitted onto the metal base and are made of high-grade acrylic resin or dental porcelain. They are your new teeth and form the major part of your bright new smile. They are attached to the solid implants in your jaw to form a permanent bond.

The advantage over something like dentures is that dental implants perform more like natural teeth – you can eat what you want and speak and smile with supreme confidence. And because they are attached straight to the gum line, they look more like real teeth.

The important part in getting a natural look is choosing the right colour and shape for your crown. If you are just replacing a few missing teeth then our professional orthodontists will help match the best colour and size to complement your existing teeth. Often it’s the case that you may want to whiten your existing teeth prior to implant surgery (porcelain teeth themselves can’t be bleached).

If your implantologist does their job properly you shouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the shape and shade of your natural teeth and the replacement teeth.

Dental implant surgery has come a long way in the last few years. Dentists, materials scientists and laboratory technicians are continuously perfecting the process of making replacement teeth that look realistic. With the right care, these prosthetic teeth can be permanent, lasting the rest of your life. Implants combine natural looking teeth with the greater functionality you enjoyed before tooth loss

If you want to find out if an implant procedure is for you, you can schedule a free consultation with the Same Day Teeth Suite in Nottingham, Loughborough or Leicester and get all the advice you need.

Having a bright white smile can boost your self-confidence and that’s just one benefit of dental implants that you will enjoy once they are in place.

 

 

Tooth Extraction Before Having Implants or Dentures Fitted

Posted on: June 2nd, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

We all remember losing a tooth or two when we were children. It’s part of growing up, a rite of passage if you like. At one time or another in your youth there will have been the wiggling of a loose tooth, the childish pleasure when it finally came out, putting it under your pillow and waiting for the tooth fairy to leave some money.

For adults, however, tooth loss is a very different, more serious, matter and can cause loss of confidence as well as ruin a lovely smile and make it difficult to chew.

While our permanent teeth are meant to last nearly a whole lifetime, there are often times when tooth extraction is necessary – perhaps one gets damaged so badly it has to be removed, or there is so much decay it means a replacement is needed.

Another cause is from infection. Tooth decay or damage can reach down into the pulp or centre that contains all the nerves and blood vessels. Bacteria can cause an infection and this often needs to be corrected with Root Canal Therapy (RCT). If that fails, or the infection is too severe to be treated with antibiotics, it may be necessary to remove the tooth.

In some cases, where your immune system is compromised, as in the case of serious illness, even the risk of infection in a particular tooth can be reason enough to have it pulled.

Periodontal or gum disease also causes an infection around the tissues and bone of the tooth and, if left untreated, can cause loosening and eventual extraction.

How dentists extract a tooth

Dentists and oral surgeons normally perform tooth extractions. First of all, you will need an injection of local anaesthetic to numb the area around the tooth but if you are having more than one extracted a general anaesthetic or sedation that puts you to sleep may be the order of the day.

If the tooth you are having removed is impacted, then the dentist will cut away part of the gum and bone tissue that covers it. They will then use forceps to grasp the tooth and gently rock it back and forth to loosen it a bit more so that it comes away from the jaw. On occasion, a tooth may be more difficult to extract and will need to be removed in pieces.

When your tooth has finally been extracted, a blood clot will form in the socket. Your dentist packs this with a gauze pad and you bite down on it gently to help stop the bleeding.

Sometimes the dentist will need to put in a few self-dissolving stitches to close the gum over the extraction site. Other times, the blood clot can break loose causing a condition called dry socket – if this happens the dentist will place a sedative dressing over it that will need to stay in place for a few days.

Most tooth extractions are done as a preamble to having dental implants or dentures and our experts at the Same Day Teeth Suite in Nottingham, Leicester and Loughborough will be able to advise and talk you through the whole process.

How to Reconstruct your Smile after an Accident

Posted on: May 2nd, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

Whether it’s sports-related injuries, unexpected accidents or a long-term issue all of us can suddenly become the victim of a traumatic dental injury and these can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Chipped, dislodged or knocked-out teeth are all examples of how these injuries can range in severity and each treatment changes depending on what the exact problem is. However, no matter what the dental injury, an immediate dental examination or free consultation is crucial as neighbouring teeth can potentially be affected and only a proper inspection can ensure the correct treatment is diagnosed and implemented.

The Sameday Teeth Suite in Nottingham, Leicester and Loughborough understands this need for specialised procedures and as a result can offer the best dentists who combine advanced skills, techniques and technologies to both repair your teeth and prevent possible further damage. Dental problems come in many ways and it is important to recognise what happens in each situation.

Tooth loss Injuries

If an injury or accident has resulted in the breaking off of a large piece of tooth a dentist may decide to apply a crown, or tooth-shaped cap, to the damaged area. This permanent crown can be made from metal, porcelain fused to metal, all resin or all ceramic material and each provides different benefits. Metal crowns are the strongest available whilst porcelain and resin crowns provide the benefit of appearing almost identical to an original tooth. If the damaged tooth is almost completely broken off leaving only the root a dentist can place a pin in the root which then provides a base on which to build a new structure capable of attaching one of the previously mentioned crowns to.

In the case of a knocked-out tooth or teeth it is vital that you undertake the following steps. An emergency appointment with your dentist should be made immediately and you should protect your loose tooth in between the accident and appointment. This protection comes via holding the tooth by the crown, not the root, avoiding scraping or brushing the tooth, rinsing it with milk or salt water solution if dirty and keeping the tooth in your mouth if possible, either in its socket or between your cheek and gum. Do not rinse the tooth with water or alcohol and if you can’t hold the tooth in your mouth place it in a clean container and cover it with milk or your own saliva.

If you have carefully protected your loose tooth the dentist will then reimplant it as soon as possible, ideally within an hour, after the accident or injury first occurred. The tooth will be splintered to surrounding teeth via clear plastic or a thin piece of wire. This splint will help the tooth heal back into place and your dentist will advise you on how to proceed after any repair work.

Tooth Replacements

In the event of a lost tooth your dentist will look to replace it using dentures, a bridge or an implant and each method comes with its own procedure and benefit.

  • Dentures, commonly known as false teeth, are constructed to replace missing teeth and fit in the mouth supported by the soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity which surround the replacement.
  • Bridges are generally used when dentists are required to replace more than one tooth as they span the area of all missing teeth. These bridges are cemented into place by attaching them to the natural or implanted teeth which surround the damaged area.
  • The final regularly used method is dental implants and these are essentially metal posts or frames which can be placed into the jawbone underneath your gums. These implants are fused to the bone and provide an extremely secure fit and as a result can feel more nature than the other two previously mentioned procedures.
  • Another option comes in the form of the all-on-4 system, a contemporary procedure, that provides patients suffering from particularly traumatic dental problems a simplified solution that allows for full-arch rehabilitation. This fixed bridge is supported by only four dental implants and as a result the entire process can be undertaken in just one day.

It’s hard to imagine awful dental injuries but the world can throw up unexpected accidents and as a result it helps to realise that there are a variety of treatments out there in which experienced experts dentists can provide the best dental care relative to your situation. That smile will be back in no-time!