Can you have dental implants with gum disease in the UK?

Can you have dental implants with gum disease in the UK?

If you’re considering getting a dental implant to fill the space in your mouth where a tooth is missing, then it’s only natural that you have lots of questions. At the Eye & Dental Clinic, we are experts in this procedure, so we’ve provided everything you need to know about getting dental implants, including whether you can have them fitted with gum disease.

What is a dental implant?

Dental implants are rapidly becoming the most popular, natural-looking way of replacing missing teeth, as no other dental treatment comes close to the results a dental implant has. The design of a dental implant is based on the design of a natural tooth, which includes two main parts: the crown and the root.

For a natural look, the dental implant is carefully crafted to match the colour and shape of the missing tooth, so it feels like part of your teeth like all the rest. The implant part of the procedure replaces the root and is embedded within your gums. If you look after it properly, your dental implant should last a lifetime, and the procedure won’t need to be repeated.

Why choose to get a dental implant?

There’s a reason why so many people turn to dental implants to conceal gaps and missing teeth. Here are some of the benefits of getting a dental implant:

• Longevity.
• Strength (matches that of a real tooth).
• Comfort.
• Natural appearance.
• Ability to eat and chew anything, just like a natural tooth.
• Ease of cleaning is just like any other tooth.

The great thing about dental implants is that whilst there may be a short adjustment period while you get used to having a tooth where a gap used to be, it won’t be something you will notice every day because the implant will act just as your natural teeth do. There’s no need to remove it to clean; only eat certain foods because of the difficulty of chewing, and you won’t need to worry about it breaking or becoming loose.

The process of getting dental implants

To fit a dental implant, an oral surgeon will cut open the gum to reveal the bone, and holes will be drilled to fit a dental implant metal post. After this procedure, you will need several weeks or months to recover, and the jawbone will grow and reunite with the implant. Once this is complete, the surgeon will fit a piece called the abutment, where the crown will sit. Once you have healed and your jawbone is strong enough, your crown will be fitted.

Dental implants and gum disease

Many people in the UK suffer from gum disease, and while most of the time it isn’t anything serious and can be treated with simple hygiene procedures, it can become a serious issue if not treated.

If you’re considering getting a dental implant, you will need to clear any gum disease first because gum disease weakens and dissolves tissue and bone. Your gum tissue and jawbone need to be intact and strong enough to be able to hold the dental implant.

If you’re not sure if you have gum disease, here are some of the symptoms:

• Sore and bleeding gums.
• Your gums bleed when you brush your teeth.
• You have bad breath.

Most of the time, with proper care, gum disease can clear up in a couple of weeks, but there are a few things you need to do, such as:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a good-quality brush where the bristles are all intact, and use a fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss regularly and use interdental brushes.
• See a dentist regularly for check-ups.
• Visit a dental hygienist who will remove any hardened plaque from your teeth and give your teeth and gums a thorough cleaning.

At the Eye & Dental Clinic, we would be happy to see you and discuss what we can do about gum disease.

Dental bridges and alternatives

A crown covers existing teeth to hide imperfections on a tooth, making it a solution for a tooth that is still there but is broken, weak or worn down, and a filling is no longer an option.

They are also routinely used to strengthen a tooth following a root canal treatment. Created from porcelain or metal, crowns are made in a dental lab to your exact specifications. The restoration is then bonded over your existing tooth (literally ‘crowning’ it). Crowns are also used to secure a Dental Bridge in place.

A dental bridge hides the spaces in your smile caused by large gaps or missing teeth and consists of a prosthetic fitting secured at each end by a Crown. Even if your missing teeth are causing no discomfort, a dental bridge is highly recommended for preventing potential future problems.

These include bite distortion, caused by your remaining teeth shifting to fill the gap, and vulnerability to gum disease and jaw pain. Like Crowns, dental bridges are usually created from porcelain or precious metal and are an excellent fixed alternative to dentures.

Which option is best for you?

Depending on your circumstances, you may have a choice, but the most effective course of treatment for a missing tooth is a dental implant. Because they feel like a natural tooth and they are rooted within your gums just like all others, there isn’t anything more complicated about looking after a dental implant than there is to taking care of your natural teeth.

Dental implants are strong and sturdy, so you can chew and eat whatever you like, unlike bridges and crowns, which sometimes make chewing certain things difficult or cause breakage. The appearance is the same as a natural tooth and feels the same, so you or anyone else won’t know that it isn’t your natural tooth.

A big difference between bridges and dental implants is that implant placement is the only one that replaces not just the crown part of the tooth, but the root too, meaning it is embedded into the gums. Placing an artificial tooth root means that the bone in that area is not reabsorbed by the body, as is the case for bridges. This avoids the likelihood of teeth movement and changes to the shape of the face.

For all of these procedures, you will need to be clear and free from gum disease.

Other cosmetic treatments

If you don’t think a dental implant is the right treatment for you, maybe you’re looking for something to cover imperfections like veneers or composite bonding. Composite bonding costs as little as £200-£300 per tooth, making it an affordable solution for people who want veneers without the hefty price tag of porcelain. There are two terms used that describe the same procedure: composite bonding and dental bonding.

The cost of traditional veneers, made out of porcelain, is substantially higher, at around £800 per tooth, sometimes more, but the benefits of porcelain compared to composite resin outweigh the costs, not to mention the longevity.

For more information about cosmetic procedures, contact us.

Eye & Dental Clinic

At the Eye & Dental Clinic, we are experts in perfecting smiles, and that includes dental implants. But, we offer more than just that; we’re here to fit veneers, carry out composite bonding and fix dental emergencies, to name just a few of our treatment options. To learn more about us and how we run the surgery, have a look at our cancellations and missed appointments policy and other procedures.

Emergency appointments

You can visit urgent care, but you will probably experience lengthy wait times and be advised to see an emergency dentist. Visiting us means you’re cutting out the wait and dealing with the problem head-on, meaning we will help you with your dental emergency as soon as possible.

Getting emergency dental care can be challenging if you’re in pain and unsure of what to do. Many people end up going to urgent care because they think it’s their only option, but private dentists like the Eye & Dental Clinic are on hand to help you when you need us the most.

Book an appointment for emergency treatment

To conclude, getting a dental implant is a great solution for missing teeth, but your jawbone and gums need to be strong and healthy to be able to withstand the surgery and hold the crown in place. This means you need to be free from gum disease in order to have a dental implant. For more information on dental implants or gum disease, contact the Eye & Dental Clinic, and we will be happy to help.

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