The complete loss of teeth from both the upper and lower jaw (endentulism) is a major concern amongst many older people and it may be that you, or someone close to you is suffering from this condition. You’re probably well aware that suffering from a loss of teeth can have a serious impact on a person’s appearance and speech, lowering their self-confidence and often making them avoid social contact altogether, leaving them feeling lonely and isolated. So what can be done about it?
Not so very long ago, the answer would have been dentures. These tried and tested devices have been around for years and probably worked well enough for people in your parents’ generation. Today, however, there’s another choice and that is dental implants. In Richmond, at Sheen Dental we specialise in dental implants and place them on a regular basis. So what makes them better than dentures? Let’s take a quick look.
Dentures
They’ve certainly stood the test of time and are relatively inexpensive to buy. Once a person has got used to wearing them, they find they function quite well. The downside of dentures is that over time they lead to bone loss because of the pressure that is applied when they bite and chew. This can lead to discomfort and slipping and even loss of function which means dentures have to be regularly adjusted and replaced periodically. Denture wearers often struggle to eat hard foods which require a lot of chewing and tend to stick to softer foods which can mean they miss out on all important nutrients. Dentures also require special cleaning and can build up unpleasant tastes and odours. All of these factors can impinge on a denture wearer’s self confidence.
Dental implants
Because dental implants are placed into the jaw and fuse with the bone they effectively halt the process of bone loss and can even cause it to regenerate. With a success rate of almost 95%, they’re also the most reliable method of tooth replacement. In addition, they’re extremely durable and need only the same care as you’d give your natural teeth, such as regular dental visits, brushing and flossing, and could well last the rest of your life. Since they function the same as natural teeth, you can bite, chew, and speak without fear of them becoming loose. The only downside is their cost and it’s fair to say that they are expensive initially. However, when you consider the list of benefits they offer plus their longevity, and you can appreciate why they’re also regarded as the most cost effective form of tooth replacement.
If you want to know more about a dental implant in Richmond then we’d be happy to hear from you. Dr. Harmit Kalsi has been carrying out dental implants with great success for many years and can explain explain the whole procedure in more detail at a free no obligation dental implant consultation. Why not give us a call or visit our website at www.sheendental.co.uk.