Oral hygeine is important for both dental health and to avoid such anti-social problems as bad breath, but modern research has also shown that oral hygeine related problems such as gum disease or periodontal disease as it is technically known also plays a part in many more serious health risks such as heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

Carrying out regular routines to promote oral hygeine is essential in modern life to protect your overall physical health as well as to avoid dental problems such as gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss.

Smiles are beautiful and make people feel happy, but some people feel they need to hide their smile because they feel too much gum area is exposed in proportion to their teeth, which may otherwise be completley healthy and bright.

For a few people with severe gummy smiles where almost all of the teeth are covered by the gums there can also be gum problems or pain when attempting to chew some foods.

Your overall quality of life will be enhanced with replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth.

The reason it is so important to replace the tooth root, as well as the visible part of the tooth (crown), is that natural tooth roots are embedded in the bone. This provides the stable foundation necessary to bite and chew. In essence, the bone holds the tooth roots in place - which, in turn, preserve the bone.

When teeth are missing, the bone that previously supported them melts away or deteriorates. However, replacing missing tooth roots with dental implants can preserve it. Since the bone forms a strong bond to the implants, they can serve the same functions as natural tooth roots: a strong foundation for biting and chewing, and stimulation for the bone to hold it in place.

The appearance of the smile is more natural and there is increased comfort and confidence when smiling, speaking and eating. If dentures are replaced with implant supported teeth, the changes can be even more significant - with the added ability to confidently eat all types of foods and the elimination of messy adhesive.

There’s been a tremendous shift away from dentures and bridges towards dental implants which are the most long term treatment, but the fear of complex surgery and long drawn out treatment has put some people off, not to mention the cost. This approach is remarkable in that it is placed without drilling the bone, and consequently you get a stable implant instantly in most cases.

As there are fewer visits, costs are around 20% less, but the major attraction is the lack of trauma, and the instant useability.

Conventional dental implants is a great way to replace missing teeth and have been used for several decades. They have extensive research behind them and can be known to last well over twenty years in some cases.

They are usually placed in stages and most surgeons place them by raising a ‘flap’, which means an incision has to be made to lift the gum and expose the bone. Once placed, stitches are required to close the gum again. Treatment times vary depending on the amount of gum and bone, and can vary from one month to over eighteen if bone grafting is required.