Did you know that when your teeth fall out, the jawbone around where the tooth roots were starts to dissolve itself? Without the tiny vibrations that get transmitted into the jawbone via the teeth every time they clang together, the bone thinks it is no longer in use. Rather than let all that useful calcium go to waste, the bone cells resorb and send the calcium back into the bloodstream for use elsewhere.

In theory, you can’t fault the body for being good at not wasting stuff. In practice, what you end up with, in just a few short years, is a much smaller, less dense jaw and that pointy-chinned, sunken-faced look associated with premature old age.

This alone is one of the main reasons we at Broadway Dental Clinic recommend dental implants in Loughton. You will stay looking younger longer.

The advantages of dental implants

In Loughton, dental implants also give you back your freedom of choice around food, and your dignity. They do so by being permanently fixed into the jawbone, creating a firm, solid anchor for the crowns, which will be able to cope with more than enough chewing force to enjoy whatever you want to eat, from crunchy roast potatoes to a chewy steak. As well as this, crowns supported by dental implants are never going to take a life of their own and start wobbling around in your mouth like dentures can do, even if they were really well fitting when you first had them.

This wobble is a consequence of the shrinking jaw, which we talked about earlier in this article.

In Loughton, dental implants do carry a higher initial cost, but the good news is that, once they are integrated into the jawbone, they should stay in place for the rest of your life. So, if you are planning on being around for more than, say, the next few years, they are well worth the investment. Dentures and bridges only have a lifetime of 5–10 years, so when you are doing your cost comparisons, you need to factor in that you might need to pay for dentures and bridges several times over, whereas you will only have to pay for dental implants once.

Missing teeth can be inconvenient, uncomfortable and unsightly. This, in turn, can affect how you feel about yourself. If your heart sinks when you look in the mirror or you think twice before smiling in social situations or for photographs, then you might like to know how dental implants in Loughton can help. As well as detracting from your appearance, gaps can make it hard to eat or speak properly, which leads to self-consciousness, and limits the range of food you can enjoy. At Broadway Dental Clinic, we have helped many of our patients in Loughton. Dental implants can restore your smile and improve your oral health.

What are dental implants?

The implant itself is a small metal screw that is fitted into the jaw during a minor surgical procedure under local anaesthetic to make it as comfortable as possible for you. The bone and blood vessels in your jaw mesh around the implant to stabilise it. When the implant has settled, it can be used as a sound base for crowns, bridges, single artificial teeth or dentures. This offers a far more secure option than removeable dentures, or replacements that fit to existing teeth. Our patients who have experienced dental implants in Loughton have found that they are very durable. Smoking and taking bisphosphonate medications can cause problems but, with the correct care, your implants can last for several decades.

Will my dental implants look natural?

Dental implants are invisible as they are hidden in the jaw. The crowns, bridges or replacement teeth you choose will be carefully made to match the appearance of remaining teeth. If you need a whole new set of teeth, these will be designed to complement the shape of your mouth and enhance your appearance. If you have dental implants in Loughton, people will admire your beautiful smile, but no one needs to know the secret behind it. You will be able to eat and speak as normal so you stand out for the right reasons, not the wrong ones.

We are proud of the services we offer in Loughton. Dental implants could be the solution to your missing teeth.

Gone are the days when the only treatment to replace missing teeth were removable dentures and bridges. Traditional dentures tend to become loose over time and can be uncomfortable to wear and difficult to maintain. Bridges, on the other hand, can compromise the health of your natural teeth, since they require grinding down neighbouring teeth for support. Dental implants offer a viable alternative to these options with improved comfort and appearance.

At Broadway Dental Clinic in Loughton, dental implants are our treatment of choice for patients who have lost one, several or all of their natural teeth. Unlike removable dentures and bridges, which simply sit on the gums, dental implants interact with the jawbone and create a strong and stable foundation for replacement teeth.

What exactly are dental implants?

When describing dental implants, the best comparison is to your natural teeth. A natural tooth consists of two parts – the root of the tooth that is hidden below the gum line, and the white enamel that is visible above it. Similarly, dental implants small titanium posts which are buried below the gum, and are topped by restorations that look like natural teeth. Because they are made of titanium, a material that is compatible with the human body, dental implants have the unique ability to fuse with the jawbone and encourage the growth of new bone tissue. This way bone deterioration and further bone loss is avoided.

How long does the treatment take?

Treatment with dental implants depends on how complicated your problem is, where the dental implants are to be placed, and the quality of your gums and jawbone. Our experienced dentists will be able to provide you with a timetable after your initial assessment. As a guideline, expect a minimum of three months and a maximum of 12 months from your first consultation to the time when you receive your replacement teeth.

A more confident smile

You can now restore your smile and self-esteem, eat and enjoy more foods and live a healthier and happier life. All this is possible by having dental implants in Loughton. Contact us today and we will book a consultation appointment for you.

You know that saying? It denotes how a change in technology can revolutionise people’s lives. At Broadway Dental Clinic, we’d cite dental implants in Loughton as one of the top advances that have changed lives.

You know an idea is good when it spreads across the world. The internet is one simple idea that has changed everybody’s lives. In Loughton, dental implants are another. The advance is in being able to replace the root of a missing tooth as well as the crown. This is something that people have been trying to do for hundreds of years. In fact, there is evidence of jade and shells being used to replace teeth as far as back 600AD when the Mayans used them and archaeologists have found skeletons with these materials fused into the jawbones.

A better diet

Being able to replace the root of a tooth means being able to give someone back their chewing power. And being able to bite and chew means being able to eat a wide and varied diet of unprocessed foods with a high nutritional value. A good diet means better health, so the knock-on effects of implants are so varied it’s probably impossible to measure them in any way that is meaningful.

Better mental wellbeing

Having teeth that are securely anchored into the jawbone also does wonders for one’s mental wellbeing. It is only when we lose our teeth and have to live with unsightly gaps, especially in the front 6 social teeth, that we can begin to appreciate how important our teeth are to the way we feel about ourselves. Before, and concurrently with, dental implants in Loughton, dentists replaced teeth with fixed bridges and full or partial dentures. Dentures especially can affect self-esteem because they often become loose as the jaw beneath shrinks due to lack of stimulation from tooth roots. The embarrassment from gaps or wobbly dentures is enough to stop people talking, smiling and laughing for fear of being laughed at. It can be horribly isolating.

These are just 2 reasons why we think dental implants in Loughton are the best thing since sliced bread. Come in for a consultation and find out if you agree.

Do you know one of the things we at Broadway Dental Clinic love about dental implants in Loughton? The history of them is almost as old as civilisation. Teeth are so important to being able to thrive as well as survive. On a fundamental level, if we can’t bite and chew, we can’t eat and we don’t make it very far. In the 21^st century, we have all sorts of gadgets to turn crunchy, chewy foods into foods that need very little oral processing before we swallow them, so we are less likely to starve to death without teeth, but we can still become malnourished.

Back in the time of the earliest discovered dental implants, being able to bite and chew was vital for survival. Small wonder then that, 4,000 years ago, the Chinese used small bamboo pegs tapped into the jawbone to replace teeth. The Egyptians of 2,000 years ago used precious metals. Other cultures, such as the Mayans, used shells. Nowadays, in Loughton, dental implants made of titanium are giving people back the joy of chewing.

At Broadway Dental Clinic in Loughton, dental implants are rapidly becoming the go-to restoration method for lost teeth. People are realising that although the initial outlay for implants is higher, and that the procedures to implant them are longer and more invasive, in the long-term they are worth the time, money and effort that goes into having them inserted.

Tooth loss

People can start to lose the odd tooth in their 40s and 50s, especially if they grind their teeth at night, or have not taken good care of their teeth when they were younger. With longer life expectancies, this means that some people could be looking at 4 or 5 decades with missing teeth, longer than they had the full set for in some cases.

Dental implants in Loughton can last that long without needing to be replaced, which makes the initial outlay of £2,100 per implant seem much better value. Especially so, when you consider that during 40 years, a bridge or dentures may need to be replaced 5 times.

So now you know both the maths and history behind the most reliable solution to tooth loss: dental implants.

Modern dentistry is all about hanging on to your natural teeth as long as possible. At Broadway Dental Clinic, we will always do everything we can to help you keep your own teeth. Things are so different in dentistry now. Unlike the time of our grandparents when people would choose to have all their teeth removed and have a set of dentures instead. Dentures meant not having to fork out for expensive and painful dental treatment. In fact, having your teeth removed and getting dentures was seen as a sign of adulthood and extraction and dentures were given to people for their 21^st birthdays.

It seems utterly bizarre in these times, especially when lost teeth can be replaced by dental implants in Loughton. These mini-miracles of dental engineering give you back the full function of your teeth in a way that bridges and dentures cannot. This is because they replace the root of the tooth as well as the crown.

What’s involved?

In Loughton, dental implants require a minor oral surgical procedure that can easily be carried out under local anaesthetic. During the procedure, your Broadway Dental Clinic surgeon drills a new socket into your jawbone. This sounds far more painful than it actually is, as there are far fewer nerve endings in the jawbone than in your teeth. However, if you are anxious about undergoing surgery, we can give you either oral or intravenous sedation to help you relax.

Once the implant is in place, you normally have to wait a few weeks for it to mesh with your jawbone and become stable enough to withstand the multi-directional forces of chewing. Once it’s meshed though, a dental implant can cope with forces of up to 97kg or 200lbs.

You do not have to have one implant for every lost tooth. One implant can support up to 3 teeth, rather like a bridge. Or you can have a full set of teeth on each jaw held in place with between 4 and 6 implants.

If you would like to find out more about dental implants in Loughton, why not give our clinic a ring and book a consultation?

When you lose a tooth, for whatever reason, you may be wondering what is the best way to replace it. These days more and more people are choosing to invest in dental implants in Loughton to replace their teeth. Initially, they seem more expensive than traditional bridges and dentures, but they last longer, maybe your whole life, and they give a more functional replacement that provides a whole lot more than just something pearly white to smile with.

When you come to Broadway Dental Clinic for dental implants in Loughton, you will be at the start of a journey that could take several months to complete.

Your journey

It starts with an initial consultation, a full examination to find out the state of your mouth and jaw. If you have other oral issues, we will need to get those cleared up before we move on to implant surgery. This may include extracting any other teeth that are failing, and then giving you time to heal from the extractions.

If you have been missing teeth for quite a while, it may be that your jawbone is no longer strong enough to support dental implants. If this is the case, all is not lost. You can have a couple of things done to strengthen it. You can have extra bone tissue grafted into your jaw, which will then need a few months to integrate and grow. Or, if the problem is with your upper jaw, you can have extra-long implants inserted into the dense bone above your jaw in what we call a sinus lift.

Once your jaw is ready to receive dental implants in Loughton, you will come to us for oral surgery, which usually takes about an afternoon. This is done under local anaesthetic, and involves drilling new channels into your jawbone and then inserting the implants. It sounds worse than it is, but if you are nervous, you can have sedation, either oral or intravenous, so that you can relax.

After surgery, you will need a few weeks to months for the implants to become secure in your jaw. Then you come back to have your new custom-made crowns fitted. These can be single, several, or a whole arch, depending on your needs.

If you’ve ever had teeth removed due to infection, you will be aware of the amount of pain it can cause. Bad habits such as smoking, eating sugary foods, drinking sugary drinks, or not brushing twice daily and flossing can all lead to gum disease or infection. This can in turn lead to having to having one or more teeth removed. Once the teeth are lost, the remaining gaps present new problems.

Aesthetically, missing teeth can cause a face to have an unflattering sunken look, where the jawbone tissue has started to degrade due to having no tooth root to stimulate it.

Your speech can also be affected. Missing teeth can cause a lisp, whistles, clicks or other problems that can affect the ability to speak clearly and be understood.

Eating or drinking can become difficult. The ability to bite and chew with confidence can be significantly affected by having missing teeth. You may even have to avoid certain foods as they could be too difficult to eat.

We can help you

At Broadway Dental in Loughton, dental implants could be the answer to your problems.  Our modern dental practice is a hub for modern dental care and treatment. We’ll cater to your every dental need and concern.

In Loughton, dental implants are a tried and tested, long lasting and cost effective remedy to missing teeth. They are carefully placed into your jawbone and fuse naturally with it, creating an incredibly strong bond, reminiscent of your original teeth. Replacement teeth or bridges are then attached to these implants. The result is dependable new teeth that both look and feel so natural that you will forget they are not your real teeth – except for the fact that they will not ever have cavities!

So, if you are looking for dental implants in Loughton, Broadway Dental would be an excellent choice for you. To book a consultation, please call and speak to one of our friendly reception staff, who will go through the procedure with you step by step. Why not give it a go and get the smile you truly deserve!

If you have just lost one or more teeth you may be feeling rather daunted as you count up how many years you may have to do without being able to eat quite a long list of delicious and nutritious foods.

Chewy food (toffees, steak), crunchy food (apples, carrots), gloopy foods (nut butters), bitty foods (seeds and nuts) – and some special food loves that are no doubt running through your mind right now. Not being able to eat what we love can make life pretty depressing for some people. Fortunately, at Broadway Dental in Loughton, dental implants can do exactly what your teeth can.

What it’s all about?

Dental implants are intrinsically different from dentures because they replace the root as well as the crown of the tooth. The artificial root is a titanium post. This is inserted into the jawbone during a surgical procedure under local anaesthetic. Some nervous patients also opt for sedation too.

Over the following weeks, the implant becomes as stable as a natural root because the titanium from which it is made has the amazing property of being able to fuse with bone tissue. This not only creates a stable chewing base, but because the titanium encourages bone growth, the jawbone remains full and strong,avoiding that sunken aged look that denture wearers can acquire as their jawbones shrink.

Once the implant has integrated with the jawbone, you can return to us at Broadway Dental to have a dental fixture called an abutment attached to the post. An abutment is an internal screw and it is onto this that the final part of your restoration, the crown, is fitted.

When people opt for dental implants in Loughton the crowns are custom-made to blend in with their natural teeth. The material used is porcelain and this comes in a range of shades to match the colour of the surrounding teeth. Tooth shape and size is also important, and so technicians are specially trained to handcraft teeth to match impressions or photographs of your natural teeth.

Once the teeth are fitted, they are permanently and securely in place, and you can once again enjoy foods that you may have had to avoid for years.

Making the decision to have dental implants can feel like quite a big step. However, the sooner you have treatment to replace your missing teeth the better. The conditions in your mouth change and adapt and can become less advantageous to the placement of implants as time progresses. This is one of the reasons why, at Broadway Dental, we want to make the process easy for you so that you can get started as soon as possible.

Consultation

When you are having dental implants in Loughton with us, the first step will be a consultation. This is where your dentist will check your mouth and jawbone to ensure you have the required conditions. They can also see where you need teeth replaced and if you need any preparatory work. You will be asked a number of questions about your health and medical history. This is all routine and part of creating the right treatment path for you.

Fitting

Dental implants need to be placed in your jawbone. This means your dentist drills some holes in order to fit them. You dentist chooses places where your jawbone is thickest so that there is plenty of material for support. Dental implants are quite small but your dentist will want to use the largest ones possible in order to spread the load of the pressures that will be applied to your new teeth.

Aftercare

There are plenty of things you can do to prepare for the healing that is necessary after dental implants. In Loughton, at Broadway Dental, we provide patients with excellent after-care. Good healing is key to a successful implant procedure.

Initially, you will need to eat soft foods and liquids so that you do not disturb your implants. You will gradually be able to reintroduce new foods as time goes by. Stocking your kitchen with nutritious options before you have your surgery will ensure that you do not feel deprived afterwards.

Caring for you dental implants in the first few days requires gentle brushing and cleansing with salt water. This is to prevent infection. Once you have allowed sufficient time for healing, you can care for your new teeth in the same way as you did your old teeth. A through hygiene routine and vigilance for any sign of dental issues is enough.