Losing a tooth can come with a number of issues. From the unwanted gap in your smile which may leave you feeling insecure when you talk or smile, to the increased risk of infection, a missing tooth is something that should be replaced as soon as possible in order to restore full functionality of your teeth and your smile. Luckily, there are dental treatments offered by dental practices that are able to replace your smile, and one of these dental treatment options are dental implants Richmond. If dental implants are something you are interested in, book an appointment at your local dental practice to see if dental implants are a suitable dental treatment option for you. 

You may not realise it, but your teeth are a very important part of the anatomy. From chewing and digesting your food, to facial aesthetics, it is important that you seek advice and treatment from a dental professional as soon as you lose a tooth. If not, you may start to notice some issues. For example, a missing tooth or teeth can affect your speech and you may begin to notice an increased difficulty pronouncing certain words or letters. Missing teeth can also impact your digestion. Our teeth play an important part of the digestion process as they break down food for further digestion. When you are missing a tooth or several teeth, your food may not be able to be digested properly which can lead to other issues such as bloating or constipation. If you do not replace your missing tooth quick enough, you may also find that the neighbouring teeth will start to shift position and tilt towards the gap where a tooth should be. This will result in crooked teeth which are generally harder to clean and can increase the risk of tooth decay and more tooth loss. 

Dental implants Richmond are essentially screws made usually of titanium that are directly placed into your jawbone where you are missing a tooth. It acts as a tooth root and provides a strong foundation for either temporary or permanent teeth to be fixed onto. They are a long lasting and permanent restorative dental treatment option that replaces your missing tooth and restores your smile. 

In order to have a dental implant, you must be in good general health and have a mouth free of tooth decay or gum disease. You must also have good bone density to offer good support to the implant.  At your first appointment, the implant will be inserted into the jawbone. This is done by the dental specialist creating a small incision in the jawbone under local anaesthetic. Once the implant is inserted into the jawbone, you will be asked to attend the practice for a second appointment at a later date. This is so that enough time is given for the implant to fuse with the jawbone. You may also be given a temporary crown at this point to replace the gap. When you visit the practice again for your second appointment, a permanent crown will be fixed onto the implant. This implant will be made to look like your remaining teeth, making them a suitable and natural replacement for your missing tooth.