We chat to leading dental practitioners Dr Kevin Gracias and Dr Amir Koochek of Cathays Dental in Cardiff about the benefits of dental implants.
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Dental implants at Cathays Dental Clinic Whilst we all know that there have been marked improvements in dental care over the years, as well as the increasingly sophisticated tools available to dentists, public awareness of the importance of good dental hygiene has become more widespread. Despite this, millions of people still suffer from the loss of teeth due to decay, gum disease or injury. Missing teeth have traditionally been countered with bridges and dentures, but dental implants are a modern alternative to dentures that are becoming more sought after. What are dental implants? Implants are used to replace tooth roots, providing a foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth. The fact they can be made to match your own teeth is an added bonus. What are the advantages? Aesthetics and function. Because implants are designed to take on the appearance of your natural teeth, they are completely unnoticeable to anyone else. They fuse with your bone structure, meaning they are a permanent fixture.
One aspect of dentures that consistently grates with wearers is the matter of discomfort. Poorly-fitting dentures can slip, leading to embarrassment, especially when this affects speech. C O M FO R T
Implants make it far easier to chew food compared to dentures. Because implants fuse with your bone, you are able to eat all of your favourite foods, no matter how chewy or crunchy, without suffering any adverse issues or pain. LO N G E V I T Y
With sufficient care, there is no reason why you would ever need implants replaced at all. The reliability of implants is what puts them head and shoulders over dentures. They are a permanent solution with no need to ever remove them or to use adhesives to keep them in place. O R A L H E ALTH
Unlike a tooth-supported bridge, inserting implants doesn’t require other teeth to be reduced. This ensures more of your own teeth remain intact, with benefits to your long-term dental health. Implants allow far greater access to your teeth when it comes to brushing and flossing. ❧ 74 ❧
“Because implants are designed to take on the appearance of your natural teeth, they are completely unnoticeable to anyone else. Are dental implants suitable for all? As long as you’re in general good health with regard to routine dental surgery, you will be suitable for dental implants. You need to have good, healthy gums and enough bone to form the foundation for the procedure. Good oral hygiene and a regime of regular dental visits are also recommended. If you fall into higher risk categories – if you suffer from diabetes or heart disease, or are a heavy smoker – you will need to be assessed individually. There are other medical conditions which might interfere with your suitability. We would be able to advise each patient on the best course of action for them. Cathays Dental Clinic 159 Cathays Terrace Cardiff CF24 4HW 029 2023 0945 info@cathaysdental.com www.cathaysdental.com