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What is a tooth extraction like?

Posted by on April 1, 2022
What is a tooth extraction like?

A tooth extraction is the removal of one of your teeth. There are many reasons why your dentist might recommend a tooth extraction. Your tooth might be too damaged to repair, or your mouth might simply be too overcrowded with too many teeth.

In this post, we’ll go over what you can expect from a tooth extraction.

The extraction

A dental extraction will always be carried out by a trained dentist or dental surgeon. Your dentist will use a local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable during the procedure and the numbness may take a little while to wear off afterwards. Depending on the site of the tooth that was removed, you may receive a small square of gauze tucked into the space where your tooth was. This helps the blood start to clot where a tooth is removed. You will be advised to leave the gauze in place for 30 to 45 minutes after the procedure.

Recovery

A tooth extraction usually requires a few days of recovery and sometimes a few weeks to properly heal before work can start on replacements for cosmetic reasons.

The first 24 hours

You should treat the area around where the tooth was removed with care for 24 hours after extraction and avoid rinsing your mouth or vigorously brushing the site of the extraction. It is also recommended that you avoid smoking or using straws for a while because they could disrupt the newly formed blood clot protecting the site.

The next few days

Once 24 hours have passed, you can restart your usual oral care routine but take care to still avoid the extraction site for a few more days. If you notice anything getting worse over time and not better i.e. swelling, nausea, pain or bleeding, make sure you speak to your dentist.

Replacing the missing tooth

Once the extraction site is healed, you can get a replacement tooth.

There are several options to discuss with your dentist:

  • Dentures. These can be full or partial. They are suggested when several teeth have been removed. Dentures can also now be removable or permanent.
  • Dental implants. This is when a metal post is attached to the newly formed bone and the site is given a singular crown to help fill in the gap. This works best if the extraction was of just a single tooth.
  • Dental bridges. These are used when one or two teeth are essentially anchored to the healthy teeth beside the site. This can be particularly helpful if you’ve had more than one tooth removed.

Conclusion

Hearing that you need to have a tooth extracted may seem stressful and daunting but be confident that your dentist would not suggest the procedure unless it was absolutely necessary. It might change your smile for a few weeks, and be slightly uncomfortable for a day or two, but with consistent aftercare, you’ll be able to choose a replacement option that makes you feel confident about your new smile.

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What are the benefits of implants?

Posted by on June 1, 2018
What are the benefits of implants?

If you’re missing one or more teeth, then there are several treatments to consider: partial dentures, full dentures, bridges, crowns and implants. These are all options to replace missing teeth.

Implants are typically the most expensive option, but they’re usually the most effective too. In this post, we’ll discuss the benefits of implants that you can make an informed decision about the best treatment for your smile.

Implants are a permanent solution

Implants are permanent. This means that once you have them, you should never need to take them out or get them replaced. In contrast, dentures, crowns and bridges all require replacement every few years as well as regular maintenance. This means that in the long run, implants can work out cheaper than other methods of tooth replacement.

Implants are comfortable

Another benefit of implants is that they’re very comfortable to wear. They feel just like natural teeth and you’ll soon forget that they’re artificial.

In comparison, dentures can sometimes be uncomfortable to wear. Sometimes dentures don’t fit properly or they take a long time to get used to. Implants don’t have this problem.

Implants are stable

Implants are also very stable. They attach securely to the jawbone which means they won’t ever fall out. You also won’t have to use adhesive to keep them in place.

Implants are easy to maintain

Implants are very easy to look after as there’s nothing special involved in maintaining them. All you have to do to take care of them as you would your own teeth. This will involve brushing them twice a day with toothpaste, flossing once a day and seeing a dentist regularly. That’s not too difficult – it’s what you should be doing anyway!

Furthermore, unlike dentures, you don’t need to take implants out to clean them. It’s unlikely that your dentist will ever have to repair them.

Implants are good for your bone health

One of the greatest advantages of implants is that they protect your bone health. They integrate directly into your jawbone, which helps prevent bone deterioration. This helps maintains a healthy facial structure and can keep you looking younger for longer. Indeed, we often see implants can take years off our patients’ smiles.

Other methods of replacing a missing tooth don’t have this advantage. Crowns, bridges and dentures don’t stimulate your jaw bone, and if you’ve already lose most or all of your teeth, then your jaw bone could start to dissolve away. This can add years to your face, due to wrinkles and a general deterioration of the facial structure.

You can get quick results

Implants are a typically faster procedure than a bridge or dentures – some patients can even receive implants in as little as one sitting. We’ll restore your smile in no time at all!

Conclusion

So, are implants the best option? While it’s true that dental implants are usually the most costly choice, the benefits they offer over other treatments can be priceless. To find out if implants are the right decision for you, book an appointment with one of our dentists. We’ll be happy to discuss your options with you.

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Why Do Implant Costs Vary so Much?

Posted by on October 19, 2016

Dental Implants Testimonials

There are many different types of implant systems on the market. Some have a long track record with many years of research behind them; other dental implant systems have limited research behind them. This in some ways can be compared to a car, in terms of a Rolls Royce is very different to a Skoda. A Rolls Royce would be known for its quality.

Recently a patient attended our dental practice from Russia claiming to have recently had the latest dental implant placed. A radiograph was taken of the patient and in reality they had a blade implant which dates back to the late 80’s early 90’s.

Implant dentistry is an area of dentistry which is constantly evolving, with hundreds of millions of pounds worth of research on a regular basis. Implant companies who invest this money in their research and have a long standing track record are likely to cost slightly more. Because of their reliable track record they are generally considered the “better implant systems”, whereas new implant systems may not have this proven track record.

Treatment can also vary in cost depending on the type of post that is used as this can vary from a gold metal post to a titanium post or a ceramic post. A ceramic post can produce a better aesthetic appearance but is not always ideal with a long spanned bridge where a number of teeth are being replaced. The ceramic posts are generally considered very good in the aesthetic area but tend to cost slightly more.

The degree of cost can sometimes vary due to the experience of the dentist concerned. Some dentists have been placing implants like ourselves for over 20 years and have placed many thousands of implants. Where as some dentists may have only attended a short course and there is a large learning curve with dental implants. As a result of this it is always wise to confirm the number of implants a dental practitioner has placed.

Some patients seek treatment abroad, this can be risky, as if things go wrong it may be difficult to go back to the dentist abroad and in England you have considerable protection under various legal aspects and all dentists in this country have to be registered.

What a patient should do

Before agreeing to treatment at any dental practice it is worth looking at the experience of the dentist concerned, the type of implants used and confirm they are a good quality implant and you feel that all treatment options have been fully explained to you beforehand.

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Dental Implant Questions for March 2014

Posted by on March 18, 2014

    1. Can I have more than one dental implant placed at a time?

      Yes, you can have multiple dental implants placed at once, regardless of which jaw they are in. In fact, having adjacent implants placed at the same time is arguably advantageous, as the healing site is not interrupted.

      For nervous patients requesting sedation, it is best to have both implants placed at the same time to save the need for further sedation.

    2. Can I work after having my implants placed?

      After having the implants placed your jaw may feel tender. Different people respond differently to the treatment, but generally we recommend taking the rest of the day off and relaxing, especially if you have had conscious sedation. Some patients may find they need the next day off work as well if their work is particularly strenuous. For the majority of jobs, a single day off to recover from the treatment is all that is necessary.

    3. Which is the best dental implant system to go for? Different dentists offer different ones.

      There are a number of commonly used systems in the UK, each with their benefits. Most of the popular companies are all high tech and state of the art and dentists generally choose, and stick to, the one that they find most usable, usually after product demonstration.

      Biomet 3i, Straumann, Nobel Biocare, Camlog and Astra-Tech are all amongst the more successful. Don’t worry too much about the system offered, and look for an experienced dentist who you like the sound of.

    4. Can dental implants come out if they get knocked?

      Unlike real teeth, which are held into the bony socket via a connection of soft tissue fibres, dental implants are connected directly to the jawbone. Consequently it is extremely unlikely that any knock could loosen a healthy implant as there are no fibres to damage.

      If you have knocked your implants and are concerned that they may have come loose, book an appointment with your implantologist as soon as possible.

    5. Why are dental implants so expensive?

      Learning to place dental implants can take up to a number of years, even after a 5-year degree in dental surgery. It is also an expensive course to complete. Furthermore, dental implants are made from state-of-the-art materials with a variety of expensive implements to place and maintain them.

      Once the dental implant itself has been placed, the crown that sits on top of it is made from fine-quality porcelain, zirconia or another material that has been tailor-made by a trusted laboratory.

      Often included in the cost of dental implants is a consultation including x-rays and even CT scans, a timeframe for guarantee, post-operative maintenance appointments and possibly conscious sedation.

      To help cover the costs of implants many companies offer interest-free funding over a number of months, Denplan coverage and dental implant insurance.

    6. Can children have dental implants?

      Dental implants are not placed in children for a number of reasons: the jaws don’t stop growing until the late teenage years and not all teeth are through until around the age of 13 (not including wisdom teeth). Dental implants should only be placed when the bone underneath is sufficiently dense, clear of unerupted teeth, and in a jaw that has finished growing with a developed, stable occlusion (bite).

      In some situations, parents know that their child will need dental implants from an early age. X-rays during childhood can show that some adult teeth may never develop. Generally it is recommended for the child to wait until 18 to have the dental implants placed, but orthodontics might be recommended in the mean time to maintain the spaces needed for implant placement.

    7. Can I have my dental implants taken out if I don’t want them in the future?

      Because dental implants are fused to the bone, removing them can be very difficult. It is possible to have them taken out, but requires a careful procedure usually followed by bone augmentation if the socket needs filling. However, there would be very few situations where a dental implant would need to be removed; even if all other teeth were lost, current dental implants would prove very useful in stabilising a denture.

    8. Can dental implants be added to in the future in case I need more teeth taken out?

      If you need natural teeth removed adjacent to a healthy dental implant, an extra dental implant can be placed and the structure above the current dental implant (e.g. crown) can be removed. A new impression will be taken of the two implants together and a custom-made prosthesis can be fabricated. This can either be two separate crowns or a joint structure.

Adding to a dental implant is generally not a problem provided the surrounding tissue is healthy.

  • Can I postpone having a dental implant until the future and have a bridge in the meantime because it is cheaper? Will I still be able to have the implant?

 

Without a tooth to house, alveolar bone (the bone that forms the tooth socket) shrinks away. Consequently, if left too long, the bone may deplete so much that a dental implant can no longer be placed because not enough is there to attach it to.

If you choose to have a bridge now to replace the gap, there is a possibility that you either won’t be able to have a dental implant in the future or its longevity may be compromised. Generally, bone can be well maintained if the lost tooth was between two other healthy teeth, but more might be lost if this is not the case.

If you can’t afford the implant right away, best to try and get it placed within a few years to avoid too much bone loss. However, new systems are being developed that allow implant placement in areas of shallow bone, so worries about bone loss may one day be a thing of the past.

  • Do I have to have a dental implant for every tooth needing replacement?

    No, this is not necessary. Two implants are often sufficient to replace a few adjacent teeth and roughly six implants are adequate to reconstruct a single jaw.

    The ‘all-on-four’ technique allows the replacement of all teeth in an arch using only four implants and is offered in a number of dental surgeries for the right cases.

  • I lost my teeth because of gum disease. If I get dental implants will they get gum disease too?

    It is possible that your genetics may predispose you to gum disease, in which case your implants may suffer from a similar condition called ‘peri-implantitis’. However, with excellent oral hygiene the risk can be dramatically reduced. Cleaning the implants twice a day with an antibacterial toothpaste and using TePe brushes, floss or SuperFloss every day is recommended for the home routine. Regular visits to a hygienist is also very important, along with maintenance checks with your implantologist to ensure the implants are still healthy.

  • Will magnets stick to my dental implants?

    No, because implants are made from titanium, which is not a magnetic metal. Magnetic materials are made mostly from iron, cobalt or nickel.

 

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Resin-bonded bridges

Posted by on August 28, 2013

a resin bonded bridge

Resin-bonded bridges (or Maryland bridges) are one of the treatment options available for the replacement of a single missing tooth. Made from an aesthetic, white material, the false tooth locates into the space of the absent tooth and is held in place by a metal wing connected to the back of either one or both of its neighbours. The wings are attached to the adjacent teeth using a small amount of bonded filling material.

While resin-bonded bridges are a viable option for long-term tooth replacement in certain cases (where the abutment teeth involved are healthy, unfilled and in an area of low stress) they are usually used for short-term space management. Because resin-bonded bridges are very conservative to place they are often used in the interim between having a tooth extracted and having a dental implant fitted. The adjacent teeth take the load from the false tooth, which stops the healing extraction site from experiencing pressure. The protection that the false tooth provides the extraction site though coverage can also reduce healing time and increase comfort.

Because resin-bonded bridges are only cemented on to the back of other teeth they cannot withstand the pressures that normal teeth can. When put under too much pressure, or left in the mouth too long, resin-bonded bridges may de-bond (lose attachment). For this reason we recommend only using the resin-bonded bridge as a mechanism of tooth replacement and socket protection for a maximum of three months. At this time the extraction site will have healed adequately for the placement of the permanent implant and the resin-bonded bridge can be removed.

In some situations, a resin-bonded bridge may not be the most appropriate way to replace the missing tooth until the dental implant can be placed. For these patients the site can either be left uncovered or a temporary denture can be made; the denture would consist of a pink acrylic material that engages the other teeth in the arch with a protruding false tooth that can slot into the extraction site.

How to look after your temporary resin-bonded bridge:

  • Avoid eating hard food in this area.
  • Brush the bridge gently at morning and night with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
  • Use SuperFloss to clean the gum under the bridge as instructed by your dentist – this will not be recommended within the first few days of extraction as it could damage the healing process.
  • If the bridge falls out or becomes lose, call the practice on 0121 357 5000 to be fitted in that day for an emergency appointment where the dentist will reattach the bridge for you. While the materials we use to cement these temporary bridges in place are strong, there is small possibility that the bridge may come lose.
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How to look after your dental implants

Posted by on February 20, 2013

Dental implants are simple to take care of, with regular brushing and flossing they can last a lifetime.
Teeth implants are placed in three stages: the initial placement of the implant screw, the revealing of the implant and placement of an abutment, and finally the attachment of the crowns. After the first procedure, when the implant itself is placed, it is recommended not to partake in anything physically exerting for the initial few days. Abstaining from alcohol and smoking are also recommended as they both slow down the healing process. As the area could be relatively sore, it is advised that you continue to brush the remainder of your mouth as normal but refrain from cleaning the treated area as not to disturb the stitches or the healing process.

Uncovering the dental implants and placing the abutment is a not a particularly invasive procedure. Though it is still highly recommended to avoid alcohol and smoking for a few days either side of the appointment, you will be able to clean the new abutments right away with care. Soften a soft-bristled toothbrush in water and use it to gently clean the abutments, taking care not to disturb the surrounding gum.

Once the dental implant crowns have been placed it is important to take good care of them; well-maintained dental implants can last ten years or more!

Clean your implants day and night with a soft-bristled toothbrush that has been softened in running water. Use circular brushing movements, angling the head of the toothbrush slightly towards the gum so that the margins of the implants are cleaned too. Be sure not to scrub at the implants, or the gum around them. Use the toothbrush to clean the inside and outside of the implant, along with removing plaque and debris from the top.
A toothbrush is essential for keeping good oral hygiene and helping to look after your implants
• Use an anti-plaque toothpaste on your implants. It is also beneficial to use a toothpaste containing fluoride: even though the fluoride is not able to incorporate itself into the implant structure like it does with normal teeth, there is evidence to show that fluoride inhibits the action of periodontitis-causing bacteria, and so using it can help protect the gums around your implant. You will most likely want to use the same toothpaste to clean your implants that you use on the rest of your mouth, so sticking with a fluoridated toothpaste for your implants as well as your teeth makes for ease of cleaning.
• Find an interdental technique that works for you. Some people find flossing a bit fiddly: if this is the case, experiment with tepe brushes, water flossing, or dental picks. Be sure to clean in-between your dental implants at least once a day.
• Specialised implant brushes can be purchased in some stores: these are brushes with only a few tufts, angled to make cleaning the sides of implants easier.
• Use an anti-plaque mouthwash twice a day to help keep the gums around your implants free from bacteria.
• It is never recommended to eat very hard foods on with dental implants. If you are eating something particularly hard, try and chew it on the side of your mouth away from the implants, if at all possible.

Though dental implants are free from the threat of decay, their foundations (bone and soft tissue) are still prone to inflammation caused by bacteria. Dental implants can suffer from peri-implantitis, a condition similar to gum disease: it is characterised by the irreversible loss of foundation tissue, resulting in wobbly implants. It is a rare condition and with adequate oral hygiene it can be mostly avoided. If you are concerned about peri-implantitis, or think you are more prone to it due to previous or present gum disease, speak to your dentist or hygienist.

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Why should you get denture implants?

Posted by on September 11, 2012

The reasons why you should have denture implants.

You could be a perfect candidate for dental implant supported dentures if your current dentures are:

  • Unstable
  • Hurting
  • Uncomfortable
  • Coming loose when you eat or talk
  • Requiring a fixative to remain in place
  • Restricting your taste
  • Making you gag
  • Too bulky
  • Making your face look older or ‘sunken’

Implant supported dentures are complete acrylic dentures that clip onto dental implants which solidly sit in your gums much like natural teeth. This can be such that the denture is removable by the patient, or fixed and only removable by a dentist. They are very successful at eliminating or greatly reducing the above problems.

  1. Stability – dental implant-supported dentures are very solid and stable in your mouth like your natural teeth would be. The mechanism of attachment (indirectly to your jaw bone through the dental implant screw) allows for only the natural minimum movement and flexion that would be expected with real teeth.
  2. Comfort – dental implant-supported dentures don’t require a strong retentive grip around your gums for support as they gain their retention from the underlying implants. Because of this they are much less likely to rub or cause sores.
  3. Retentive – dental implant-supported dentures have a unique mechanism of attachment, mimicking the way natural teeth are kept in place. It is because of this that dental-implant-supported dentures are very stable during eating or talking, and will only be removed through a technique that your dentist will teach you. Because of this conversation and chewing will be much more natural and pleasant.
  4. Fixatives – dental implant-supported dentures do not require any gluey, unpleasant fixative to keep them in place because of the successful fastening with the underlying implants.
  5. Taste – dental implant-supported dentures are much less likely to restrict your taste as it is not necessary to have material covering the majority of the palate as retention is gained mechanically from the dental implants. The less tissue covered, the more naturally you will be able to taste; this is a huge advantage of dental implant-supported dentures.
  6. Gagging – dental implant-supported dentures are unlikely to make you gag as they don’t take up as much room in the mouth as traditional dentures, which require a larger amount of material to keep them in place.
  7. Bulky – dental implant-supported dentures are often less bulky than traditional dentures as retention is gained through attachment to dental implants and not through the addition of extra dental material.
  8. Anti-aging – when dental implants are placed into the mouth the bone around them attaches, greatly reducing the chances of bone recession, which happens naturally in the absence of teeth. It is because of this that the presence of dental implants can prevent the face from appearing ‘sunken’ as most dental bone is maintained, which is integral for a natural face shape and profile. Furthermore, as bone height is maintained, the likelihood of needing denture adjustments reduces which results in long-term, comfortable dentures.

Two options are available at Scott Arms Dental Practice for dental implant-retained dentures and each come with their own significant advantages:

Locators: These types of dentures fasten into place over a number of single, discrete implants. This works much like press-studs on items of clothes and is often the desirable option when patients like to minimise the feeling of a prosthesis in their mouth, as only a thin later of acrylic is needed to support the denture.

Milled-bar with clips: Dental implants are placed in the same way as locators, yet they are splinted together by a metal bar onto which the denture attaches. Though this option is slightly bulkier it is easily tolerated by most people and provides a more even load across all dental implants and even better retention.

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Why Titanium is so good for Dental Implants

Posted by on May 23, 2012

Titanium is the material of choice for dental implants

Dental Implants are quite possibly one of the most interesting cosmetic dental options available today. They have the ability to dramatically change smiles and people’s lives. Implants are small inserts, usually made out of titanium, which fit into a patient’s jaw bone forming an artificial tooth root. This lays a stable foundation to be restored with a dental crown (artificial tooth), bridge or to fix in place a set of dentures. With proper care dental implants can last a lifetime, but can any old material be used to make the implants?

During the implant placement procedure, a surgeon will place them in the appropriate position of your jaw bone. Before this is done they will fully assess your suitability for dental implant treatment by asking a series of questions and also checking the quality of your bone using ct scanning equipment. The implant dentist will make an insertion into the correct place of the jaw bone and place the implant. This is a painless procedure and carried out using local anaesthetic. Anxious patients such as those suffering from dental phobia also have the option of being sedated during the procedure. The interesting part of the procedure happens after the implants have been placed, it is the process in which your new artificial tooth roots form a permanent bond with your jaw bone that can last a lifetime – the process of osseointegration.

What is osseointegration?

Osseointegration is the formation of connecting bone between the dental implants and the patients jaw bone. The surface of the titanium dental implants is designed in a way which allows bone to grow into the pores of the implant surface to create a stable foundation which can last for the rest of a patients life. This is a direct contact between the bone and implant surface, which is dentistry’s answer to the artificial tooth root.

Because of the solid foundation dental implants provide they have been utilised by dentists to produce some amazing transformations. The main uses of dental implants are:

  1. Replacing a missing tooth. When a tooth is lost not only does it damage the appearance of your smile but it can also cause further complications later on. Teeth can migrate into the gaps caused by missing teeth to create a whole host of other complications. Also when teeth are missing and the jaw bone doesn’t receive sufficient stimulation, it can lead to bone shrinkage, one of the common signs of ageing. Dental Implants can be restored with a dental crown, which essentially looks, feels and functions just like a normal tooth. It is one of the best ways to replace a missing tooth.
  2. Fixing a dental bridge. A dental bridge is a fixed partial denture created by a dental technician. These can be used to replace multiple teeth without the need of multiple dental implants. Traditional dental bridges allow the replacement of other teeth by using a bridge which joins to adjacent teeth. However these removable bridges can cause discomfort, dental implants can be used to fix them in place permanently and in a stable fashion to allow the patients to eat and smile with confidence.
  3. Implant supported dentures. Also know as false teeth, dentures are prosthetic devises made to replace a whole set of teeth. Traditional dentures are only fixed in place temporarily, usually by a gel that holds the dentures in place. The stability of these dentures can result in problems that severely affect a patients confidence to eat and smile. Titanium Dental Implants offer the option of being able to fix a set of dentures in place permanently, giving the stability denture-wearers need to eat the foods they like and talk with confidence.

So why use titanium for dental implants?

Titanium is a material that is well tolerated by bone and can integrate easily, allowing the process of osseointegration and forming a stable artificial tooth root that can last a lifetime with the proper care. Unlike other metals, titanium oxide can fuse with the patients jaw bone permanently.

Find out more information about titanium dental implants

The Scott Arms Dental Practice is one of the leading implant clinics in the West Midlands and Birmingham. We offer free dental implant consultations and interest free finance is available on dental implant treatment. Book your free implant assessment today by phoning 0121 357 5000.

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Dental Implants can delay signs of ageing

Posted by on April 18, 2012

Dental Implants can delay one of the signs of ageing, bone shrinkage

Not only are dental implants the best way to replace missing teeth they can also delay one of the main signs of aging, bone shrinkage.

Dental Implants are small titanium inserts that are placed by an implant dentist into your jaw bone which can be restored with dental crowns, fixed bridges or can support a set of dentures. They look feel and function just like normal teeth allowing you to smile and eat with confidence. If looked after properly with good oral hygiene from regular brushing and flossing, dental implants can last a lifetime making them one of the most effective dental treatments available.

What happens when you lose a tooth?

If a tooth is missing, the jawbone extension that supports it can slowly shrink away. This is a process called restriction, a natural process which occurs due to a loss of stimulation to the jaw bone from forces placed on the teeth. Resorption will cause the supporting bone (the alveolar bone) to shrink in both height and width over time.

As your bone jaw loses density it becomes smaller in size and weaker. Changes in jaw structure have a significant affect on the appearance of your face. Preventing bone shrinkage is important to delay one of the main signs of ageing.
Missing teeth can create gaps causing teeth to drift

As teeth are lost, the remaining teeth surrounding will slowly shift position toward where the tooth was lost. Our teeth naturally move toward the front of our mouths, if there are gaps it allows the teeth to drift in a more detrimental fashion. The drifting of teeth can alter the surrounding gum tissue, producing areas which trap food that’s difficult to remove. The areas which trap food act as a fertile breeding ground for tooth decay and predisposes the teeth to periodontal disease. The movement of teeth will cause changes in your bite (occlusion) and change the physical appearance of your smile.

How can dental implants help?

Dental Implants are essentially artificial tooth roots, the titanium inserts insert into your jaw bone just like a tooth root would. When force is applied to the implant it is enough to stimulate the supporting bone and prevent the supporting bone from shrinking. Dental Implants also “fill the gaps” made by missing teeth, preventing the surrounding teeth from drifting and causing further problems. If you have any questions regarding Dental Implants feel free to contact the Scott Arms Dental Practice on 0121 357 5000. At our Birmingham Dentists we offer free Dental Implant consultations where you’ll receive expert advice from our award winning implant dentists.

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My Dentures are hurting

Posted by on April 12, 2012

Denture pain and discomfort Birmingham

Many patients seeking emergency dentist treatment in Birmingham mention a common problem, their dentures are causing them pain.

Dentures are removable prosthetic teeth replacements that are usually made of acrylic that can replace multiple teeth or a full set of teeth. Usually they are held in a patients mouth temporarily and can be taken out whenever needed and can greatly improve ones smile. If you have lost some teeth, dentures can transform the way you look, eat and speak. They can be fitted straight away after a tooth has been knocked out, making them a common form of dental treatment for all ages, not just the elderly. We have fitted thousands of dentures in our Birmingham denture patients, but what can cause discomfort in a small number of patients?

Dentures will never feel like your natural teeth despite looking just like them, they aren’t attached to tooth roots and are made of a different material. When you have them fitted, your Birmingham Dentist will explain both the difficulties you’ll face wearing them as well as the advantages.

It may take up to 2 months before you’re completely used to wearing your dentures, this is perfectly normal. It’s worth leaving them out at night and possibly at some point in the day, just to give your gums a rest.

Ensuring your dentures fit correctly

When you initially see your dentist for denture treatment, they will take an impression of your mouth and send it to a dental technician who will make your dentures. When you next visit your dentist, they will check the fit of your dentures as they may have to be slightly modified. If the dentures don’t fit correctly, they can rub against the inside of your mouth, resulting in soreness and even ulcers.

Loose Dentures

Dentures can be stabilised by dental implants to help the dentures fit more comfortably. Dental Implants are small titanium inserts that are placed into your jaw bone and act as an artificial tooth root. Dental Implants can be restored with a dental crown to act, feel and function just like a natural tooth. With dentures, dental implants can be used to attach to the dentures and stabilise them in place by fixing them to your jaw bone, much more effective than any denture adhesive!

Replacing dentures with dental implants

Whilst dentures are an excellent treatment choice to replace your missing teeth, they will never obtain the same result of comfort dental implants are able to. Dental implants look and function just like normal teeth, whilst the treatment is more expensive the results are more impressive. From replacing single teeth to replacing a whole set of teeth, dental implants if looked after correctly, can last a lifetime and even delay one of the main signs of ageing (bone shrinkage).

If you’re interested in finding out more information on dentures, solving problems with your current dentures or even replacing them with dental implants, feel free to contact our highly experienced team on 0121 357 5000. With over 22 years of dental implant and denture experience, we’re confident we can help any dental problems you may have.

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Free Dental Implant Consultation

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