Replacement teeth that act like real teeth

The quest for replacement teeth that look and act like real teeth has been going on for centuries. Archaeologists have discovered ancient jawbones with rudimentary dentures in them, as well as others with false teeth made of shells and jade inserted into them. The incredible thing is these have actually fused with the bone. This concept was lost for centuries but re-emerged in the 1950s, when a Swedish scientist discovered that titanium can do the same thing.

This was the start of implants for the body, including for teeth. Now, 40 years after they first hit the dentistry market, dental implants in North West London at Aura Dental have become many people’s first choice of method for replacing lost teeth.

The power of titanium

Titanium is a very strong and light metal, making it perfect for replacing body parts, including tooth roots. Titanium is incredibly compatible with the body, which actually grows new tissue and blood vessels all over it, to hold it firmly in place. The typical kind of dental implants in North West London are posts about 1.3 millimetres long and screw-shaped to give it more surface area for the bone tissue to mesh with. This meshing process, known as osseointegration, takes a couple of months, and by the end of it, the implant will be able to withstand chewing forces of up to 97kg or 200lbs, which is more than the average male chew.

The next step

Inside the implant is an internal screw, and when osseointegration is complete, the dentist screws in an abutment piece, which varies in design depending on what kind of crowns are going to be attached to the implant. It could be between one and three crowns, or the implant may be part of a set that is going to be used to stabilise dentures, in which case there will probably be a ball-shaped snap on abutment.

The crowns themselves are made from porcelain, colour-matched, sized, and shaped by a skilled dental technician to blend in with your natural teeth.

At Aura Dental In North West London, dental implants are a popular choice for people who are missing teeth. Even though they cannot decay, they can fall victim to gum disease, so careful brushing, flossing and plaque removal visits are vital to their maintenance.