What are dental impIants in St Albans?

Dental implants at our clinic within St Albans are a popular, effective, and long-term solution to missing teeth in the mouth. Dental implants essentially consist of three components, the first of which is the implant itself. The dental implant is a small titanium screw (typically less than one centimetre long) which aims to mimic the natural root of a tooth. The implant acts as a sturdy base for both an abutment (also commonly referred to within the field of dentistry as a ‘connector’) and a porcelain crown. Dental implants in St Albans are an ideal solution to missing teeth, and could be argued as one of the most popular types of restorative dentistry at our clinic.

What is restorative dentistry?

Restorative dentistry is a field of dentistry that covers any treatments or procedures which aim to restore the function of the teeth within the mouth. Aside from functional restoration, restorative dentistry diagnoses and manages dental diseases, and cares for surrounding nerves. A few common examples of restorative dentistry include dental implants themselves, and fillings. Despite common misconception, restorative dentistry not only repairs the functional aspect of the teeth, but can also enhance the aesthetic appearance of a patient’s smile.

The porcelain crown

The porcelain crown is the part of the implant which mimics the crown of the natural tooth, and needs to be the aesthetically pleasing feature of this particular form of restorative dentistry. Many of our patients can be concerned about the final appearance of their new tooth crown and are often surprised when they see the results. At our clinic in St Albans, we customise every porcelain crown for each individual patient. Our highly skilled and friendly dental healthcare professionals will match your new crown fixture in terms of its shape, and exact shade, to your surrounding original teeth.

What are the benefits of receiving dental implants in St Albans ?

Dental implants allow patients to chew, drink, and partake in other daily dental tasks normally again. Dental implants fuse with the bone, meaning they are a stable fixture, preventing degradation of the jawbone (which can be a common consequence of missing teeth), as well as any damage of surrounding natural teeth within the mouth.

The dental implant treatment process

At our clinic in St Albans, we always inform our patients that each dental implant case differs in some way from another, although there is a standard procedural route we aim to follow.

The first step

As with most dental treatments, whether these are general, restorative, or cosmetic, the procedure begins with an initial consultation. During this appointment, our dentists will determine whether implants are right for you, if so, we may take X-rays and dental impressions, to create your crown.

Healing process

After the implant is inserted within the jaw, time must be given for the screw to fuse correctly with the jawbone, ensuring ultimate stability is achieved. The healing time for dental implants can range from around three to nine months, this is to make sure the area is fully recovered, and the implant set to last a long time.

The final step

During the healing process, a temporary fixture may be adhered to the implant, ensuring your aesthetic appearance is never compromised.

Aftercare

Once the crown, bridge, or denture is secured to the implant, the process is complete! During the healing process, our dentists will advise you on the correct way to care for your dental implants. Rigorous cleaning may be required, as well as visits to our clinic, to ensure everything is running smoothly.