Tooth loss is one of the most significant global healthcare problems these days. According to the Oral Health Foundation, about three in every four Britishers have lost at least one tooth. Tooth loss can affect more than just one’s smile and facial aesthetics. Instead, missing teeth can cause various oral and physical health complications as well. Therefore, it is essential to have one’s missing teeth replaced without delay.
What Are Dental Implants?
According to the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, an implant is a screw-shaped fixture placed into the jawbone to serve as a replacement root for missing natural teeth. Dental implants have become the most sought-after tooth replacement option worldwide owing to their lifelike aesthetics, durability, and comfort.
Can I Replace All My Teeth With Dental Implants?
Perhaps the best thing about dental implants is that you don’t need an implant for every single missing tooth. Furthermore, whether you have lost a single, a few, or all of your teeth, you can replace them with an implant-supported prosthesis. So, as long as you have a healthy jawbone available and don’t have any underlying dental or medical health issues, you are a candidate for getting implants.
How Many Teeth Does One Need In Order To Get An Implant?
As mentioned earlier, you don’t need an implant for every missing tooth. Instead, your dentist can use a single implant to replace two or more teeth. For example, if you have lost a single tooth, your dentist will replace it with an implant-supported crown. For multiple missing teeth, your dentist may give you an implant-supported removable denture or a bridge, requiring two or more implants depending on the number and location of the missing teeth. If you have lost all your teeth, they will give you a full set of teeth with an implant-supported complete fixed bridge.
What Does All-On-4 And All-On-6 Mean?
An all-on-6 prosthesis is an implant-supported complete fixed bridge. This appliance is used when someone has lost all their natural teeth. The prosthesis is supported by six implants placed at strategic locations. The benefit of an-on-6 prosthesis is that it can still be used for tooth replacement if someone has extensive bone loss in the back of the jaw. All-on-6 implant-supported prostheses require extensive treatment planning and excellent surgical skills for successful treatment. Therefore, if you plan to replace your missing teeth with an all-on-6 appliance, you should visit an experienced and qualified implant dentist.
How Long Do Dental Implants Typically Last?
Dental implants are made of high-quality and extremely durable titanium alloys. Therefore, they are designed as a permanent tooth replacement option. According to Healthline, an implant can last for a lifetime if looked after properly. However, the prosthesis attached to it – a crown, bridge, or denture – that serves as an artificial set of teeth has a limited service life. So, implant-supported prostheses may need to be replaced after 10-15 years, while dental implants placed by experienced oral surgeons can last a lifetime.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Dental Implants To Replace All My Teeth?
If you are not sure whether dental implants are the right option for your missing teeth, here are some of their benefits that will help you decide:
- Aesthetics – Dental implants allow for the attachment of aesthetically pleasing prostheses, such as zirconia crowns and porcelain bridges that blend in perfectly with the natural teeth and restore one’s smile and facial aesthetics. Dental implants are the most aesthetically pleasing option currently available for replacing missing teeth.
- Durability – Carefully placed and looked after dental implants can last a lifetime. Research has shown that the 10-year success rate of dental implants is more than 90%. So, dental implants are an excellent option for young people with missing teeth.
- No dietary Restriction – Denture wearers are often advised to avoid eating sticky and hard foods as they can fracture or dislodge the prosthesis. On the other hand, dental implants, being a firmly anchored post within the bone, provide a solid foundation for the attached artificial teeth and allow you to eat all your favourite foods without restriction.
- Convenience – Dentures need to be removed and cleaned every time one sleeps. This is not needed with dental implants as they are permanently anchored into the jawbone like natural teeth.
- Oral Hygiene Maintenance – Removable dentures create difficulties in optimally cleaning the oral cavity and need to be removed for oral hygiene maintenance. On the other hand, dental implants require the same oral hygiene maintenance as natural teeth.
Where Can I Find Dental Implants Near Me?
Dental implants feel, look, and function just like natural teeth. They are also regarded as the most aesthetically pleasing, convenient, and long lasting option for tooth replacement. However, despite their excellent success rate, implant therapy can fail if not performed by an experienced, specialist implant dentist. Therefore, it is imperative that one visits a qualified dentist for this purpose.
If you live in Liverpool and are looking for the best implant dentist in town, you should consider Dr Alex Kikolaou’s dental practice. Dr. Alex Nikalaou is a highly qualified, experienced, and renowned dentist specialising in tooth replacement with dental implants. So, if you have lost one, multiple, or all of your teeth and are looking for a permanent solution, Dr Alex Nikalaou’s practice is your best option. So, request an appointment today and walk away with a smile you have always dreamed of.
