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Dental implants are a breath of fresh air in dentistry innovations. If you can’t get on with dentures or a bridge then this method is just for you. Devised through over 10 years of research in the U.K. and Sweden the latest and most popular design is the Endosteal Implant, it can handle a single or several false teeth. You will need to pass some tests first, and these will be carried out by your dentist before a dental surgeon will carry out the work. Firstly they will take a series of digital x-rays and pictures, along with some measurements, if the tooth is still in place it will have to be removed. You will need to have a strong, wide jaw bone to qualify, but don’t worry as most of have one. All being fine the surgeon will now start, first they will cut into the gum line and expose the jaw bone, its just a small cut so there’s no need to wince. The implant is slid under the gum and either screwed down using self tapping screws, or they will drill holes and insert an adapted plate that has studs to fit in them, this is glued in. The stitches are tiny and the area is left for nature to take her course, this is a process called Osseointergration and came out of the experiments in Sweden. Basically the jaw bone fuses with the titanium implant (plate) and it becomes part of the jaw. The process takes from three to six months to complete. The next stage is to insert the abutments; these are studs that will hold the actual false tooth. The tooth is now ready to be made and an orthodontist will make it from ceramic in the same vein as the origin tooth in size and shape. This is then simply slid onto an abutment, or several teeth can be fixed to one implant depending on your requirements. They will last you a lifetime and are easily replace if they become damaged in situ. They need no special looking after and brushing and flossing is done just as normal, your dentist will keep the tooth implants clear of any tartar build up when you go for your six monthly check up. You will need to retrain your mouth to adjust to the new chewing regime that your new teeth will allow you to perform. It will restore not just your teeth, but your smile as well.