Your smile expresses warmth, personality and shows a welcome to others. However, if you are missing all your teeth, you may feel uncomfortable smiling, which can negatively impact your personal and professional relationships and reduce your enjoyment of life. Fortunately, dental implants in Hertford can help you restore your beautiful smile and regain your confidence.

While dental implants offer a broad array of benefits, traditional removable dentures remain the most common treatment for patients missing all their teeth. This option, however, is unsatisfactory for many of our patients.

Removable dentures have several drawbacks, including the tendency to shift in the mouth while eating and speaking. They can hinder your speech or dislodge at awkward moments. Additionally, removable dentures that do not fit well can cause a great deal of discomfort.

Even more troublesome, without your teeth you may eventually experience what is known as facial collapse, a condition where the jawbone gradually loses structure, affecting both the aesthetics and oral function of the face.

What can be done about it?

Dental implants at Hertford Dental Implants, can help to eliminate the risk of facial collapse by permanently implanting supports and dental crowns that look and function just like real teeth. As a result, you can eat, speak, and enjoy life without worrying about how your smile appears. If you are interested in using dental implants to replace your missing teeth, we offer an option called All-on-4.

With All-on-4 you will have four dental implants in Hertford and an over denture placed on top. This technique was developed to provide patients suffering with total tooth loss an efficient treatment concept using only four dental implants to support a full arch of fixed teeth.

Two dental implants are placed vertically in the front of the jawbone with the remaining two implants placed at the back of the jaw, tilted up to 45°, which means less bone is needed.

Traditional fixed full arch dental implant techniques require six to 10 implants, with a period of healing time where the bridge cannot be fixed to the implants. Extensive bone grafting for implant placement may also be required, but is much less likely to be needed with the All-on-4 technology available for your dental implants in Hertford.

Missing teeth are a problem for many of our patients here at Hertford Dental Implants. Fortunately, it is not something you need to live with for the rest of your life.

Even a single missing tooth can harm the stability of the rest of your smile. This is why our dentists place so much emphasis on the importance of replacing missing teeth with dental implants in Hertford. These restorations not only more naturally take the place of lost teeth, but also mimic the natural structure of the teeth and help maintain the rest of your smile.

What are dental implants?

Your natural teeth consist of 2 parts: the part you can see above the gum line and the part anchored by tissue and bone, known as the root. The implant portion of this restoration is a titanium screw secured directly into the jawbone.

will mimic the natural structure of a tooth root. Our dentists use them to replace one, several or all your missing teeth by topping them with a crown, or using them for an implant-retained denture. They are clinically proven solution for effectively reconstructing missing teeth from top to bottom.

What are the consequences of missing teeth?

Many people believe that losing teeth is inevitable, but the truth is your permanent teeth should last a lifetime. However, due to many factors, not all of which are in your control, teeth sometimes can fall out.

This loss will not only leave a gap in your smile, but will also disrupt the balanced relationship between teeth and jawbone. The jawbone helps anchor teeth in position, but the teeth also stimulate the jawbone to keep it strong.

When you lose one or more teeth, it leads to bone loss because there is nothing in the socket to stimulate the underlying jawbone. This loss of bone can impact your appearance, making you look older than you are. It also impacts your overall health because you may experience problems with your remaining teeth and could lose your ability to speak or eat normally.  With dental implants in Hertford these problems can all be avoided.

Conventional dentures tend to become loose over time. This is because gums tend to recede and the bony structure of your denture that supports your soft tissues is gradually lost. As your soft tissue makes contact with your dentures, you will experience discomfort, sore gums, not to mention a constant struggle to perform simple tasks as speaking and chewing. Fortunately, these problems can be solved with the help of denture stabilisation with dental implants.

At Hertford Dental Implants, we know that dental implants tend to be more expensive than other tooth replacement options. Patients who have lost more than one tooth, or all their teeth, often prefer dentures because they are more cost-effective. What if we told you that you can now benefit from both treatments at the fraction of the cost? Dentures supported by Hertford dental implants are an ideal option for patients who have lost many teeth and wish to restore the functionality and appearance of their mouth.

What is denture stabilisation?

Denture stabilisation is the process of embedding from two to four dental implants into the jawbone in order to stabilise full or partial dentures. Almost identical to regular dental implants but slightly smaller, dental implants used for denture stabilisation are surgically inserted into the jaw at a slight angle in order to provide a safe base for dentures.

With the aid of denture stabilisation treatment, people who used to wear conventional dentures for years, can now enjoy the benefits of dentures and dental implants at the same time. Loose dentures can compromise daily activities such as laughing, speak or even eating with confidence. Denture stabilisation can also help improve your speech, making it easy to have a conversation without concern that your dentures will move.

After having two of four dental implants placed into the jawbone, your dentures will be securely attached to them. Even patients with bone loss can benefit from implant-supported dentures because dental implants are embedded at an angle into the jawbone, thus eliminating the need for bone grafting.

Get in touch

If you are wearing conventional dentures and you would like to explore the benefits of denture stabilisation with Hertford dental implants, contact us today to schedule an appointment.

No matter how well you take care of your teeth, accidents happen and it is likely that you will experience tooth loss at some point in your life. Whether a result of trauma, injury or gum disease, losing a tooth can be a stressful event, but luckily not something that cannot be repaired.

At Hertford Dental Implants, individual missing teeth can be replaced by dental implants without altering your healthy adjacent teeth. Once dental implants are placed, posts will be attached on top of them, providing support for your final crowns.

How do single dental implants work?

Dental implants are small titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone and act as replacements for actual tooth roots. By replacing one single tooth with dental implants and avoiding conventional bridges, the adjacent teeth are preserved.

Dental implants in Hertford come in various sizes. Your dentist will decide which one is the best for you depending on the type of the tooth missing and the dimensions of your jaw. This way your dentist will determine which is the right implant for the tooth to be replaced. Computer-assisted planning software will also help plan the implant operation in a precise manner.

Once your dental implant is embedded into your jawbone, your dentist will provide a temporary crown until your implant heals. This process usually takes a few weeks and after that, you will visit your dentist again in order to have your permanent crown fitted. The time between the implant surgery and the final crown placement is typically shorter on the lower jaw than it is on the upper jaw. This is a result of denser bone in the lower jaw, which allows for faster attachment of the bone with the implant’s outer surface.

If the affected tooth needs to be removed, extraction may take place on the same day as the dental implant placement. If you suffer from bone tissue loss in the jawbone, you dentist may advise bone grafting.

Get in touch

Tooth loss, even if it is just the loss of one tooth, can be quite serious. Preserve your oral health and function by visiting Dr Gordon Black for dental implants in Hertford today.

If you are missing a single tooth because of injury, gum disease or decay, it is time to move on to a more confident smile. At Hertford Dental Implants we can easily replace your missing tooth with the use of ‘single tooth’ dental implants in Hertford. At the end of the treatment, you will be delighted with your new smile.

Dental implants

Dental implants are small titanium posts that can be used to replace almost any missing tooth, provided there is adequate underlying jaw bone left. Dental implants are surgically placed into the jawbone below the gum tissue. Our dentists will also place a temporary abutment on the implant until the healing process is complete. Sometimes, a temporary cosmetic crown can also be made to fill the gap before placement of the permanent crown.

With dental implants in Hertford, your discomfort is kept to a minimum. Most patients compare the discomfort caused by implant surgery with a root canal treatment or a tooth extraction procedure. At Hertford Dental Implants we never rush and we are extremely careful with all of our pain management.

While the operation is being carried out your jaw is numbed with local anaesthetic. However, if you are feeling particularly nervous about the procedure, you can be sedated. Usually, if you have one implant inserted, you should be able to return to your daily activities on the same day.

Benefits of dental implants

Dental implants provide many advantages compared to other tooth replacement options. In addition to looking and functioning like a natural tooth, a dental implant can replace a single tooth without sacrificing the health of neighbouring teeth. Other tooth replacement options for single teeth such as tooth-supported fixed bridges, require grinding down adjacent teeth for extra support.

Since dental implants replace your tooth root, the surrounding jawbone is kept healthy too. Unlike conventional bridges, which do not fuse with the jawbone, dental implants integrate with your jawbone. This helps your jawbone maintain its structure and shape, which is often lost with long-term use of other tooth replacement options.

Get in touch

Think you might need a single dental implant to replace a missing tooth? Contact us today to schedule an appointment and let us help you restore your beautiful smile.

If you’ve suffered from tooth loss, do you find you now struggle to eat and chew? Are your dentures slipping, leaving you craving a more stable and permanent solution? If the embarrassment of gaps in your smile or loose dentures has finally become too much, Hertford Dental Implants can help.

When all teeth are missing or in such condition that they need to be extracted and replaced, a fixed bridge anchored to dental implants is the ideal solution. With our dental implants in Hertford, you can look forward to regaining your self-esteem, enjoying mealtimes again and smiling with confidence.

The procedure

Step 1 – Before the procedure

Having obtained the necessary information to establish the treatment options available, your dentist will create an individual treatment plan, custom-made for your needs. Dental implants in Hertford can be used not only to restore all teeth but also the loss of just one or several. Whichever the case, your treatment plan will clearly lay out what you can expect.

Step 2 –Fitting the implants

The first step in fitting dental implants is to replace the lost tooth roots. If you have lost all of your teeth, then typically4 or 5 implants will be placed directly into the jawbone. Temporary teeth are then attached that enable you to eat and function as normal while waiting for the permanent bridge to be installed.

Step 3 – Your new bridge

Once your implants have taken hold, the final bridge or crown is securely fitted on top of the dental implants. With a full jaw replacement, where no natural teeth are present, it will normally take2 or 3 visits to have the bridge attached.

Step 4 – The result

Your new teeth will be hard to distinguish from your natural teeth. This is something both you and those around you can enjoy.With restored function and form to your teeth and smile, you can once again focus on getting on with your day, without the daily worry over your dental health.

Get in touch with our practice today for dental implants in Hertford that can improve your quality of life.

At Hertford Dental Implants, dental implants are our forte. Our practice has been established for over 80 years and we pride ourselves on the quality of care we provide to every one of our patients. Many people who have experienced tooth loss travel from all over the country to get implant treatments from dentist Dr Black.

Dr Black specialises in dental implant treatments to reconstruct one, several or all teeth. He has been received the Implant Diploma from The Royal College of Surgeons and was a finalist in the National Dentistry Awards in 2015 for a dental implants case.So you can rest assured that you will be in safe hands.

From the moment you walk through our doors, you will be well cared for. Our modern and bright waiting room provides comfort, while our professional and friendly staff will welcome you warmly with a smile.We endeavor to make your experience both comfortable and as stress free as possible.

Dental implants with us

Dental implants in Hertford are fitted with the help of advances in dental technology to ensure you get reliable results. They can not only be used to permanently reconstruct missing teeth but can also be used to stabilise loose dentures, for those who prefer to keep using dentures.

There are many reasons you may have lost teeth; poor dental health, an accident or certain hereditary conditions. Whatever the reason, dental implants in Hertford can help.

The process at Hertford Dental Implants

The dental implant procedure involves inserting a titanium screw directly into your jawbone. We aim to make this process as quick as possible, keeping your discomfort to a minimum. We also offer various forms of sedation if a trip to the dentist is especially daunting for you.

The titanium screw needs a period of time to fuse into your jaw bone. This process can take between 3 and 6 months. The end result in a secure and stable base onto which replacement teeth can be attached. Once these artificial teeth have be added, your restoration is complete. You can then begin your new life, with your brand new teeth.

If you are missing teeth, you may opt for a traditional denture but over time your gums will shrink and the denture will become loose. Dental implants, on the other hand, are very effective but are not budget-friendly for people who wish to replace a lot of teeth. Nowadays, you can combine dentures and dental implants with denture stabilisation. This means supporting your dentures with dental implants, so you can eat, speak and smile with confidence.

At Herford Dental Implants, implants are used to replace teeth in a number of ways. If you cannot afford a mouthful of dental implants or if you are reluctant to part with your dentures, implants can be used to stabilise dentures in the upper and the lower jaw. Dr Gordon Black, our principal dentist, has many years experience in placing and restoring dental implants and constantly seeks improvement with further training.

Hertford dental implants for denture wearers

If you are dissatisfied with wearing dentures and want to feel more confident when talking or if have difficulty keeping them in place, then you should consider denture stabilisation with dental implants. You can choose among a variety of options:

Removable implant-supported dentures

This type of denture is a quick and cost-effective option, because it requires as few as two dental implants on each jaw. Removable implant-supported dentures are very stable and durable without the aid of denture adhesives and they can be taken out to clean.

Bar-retained dentures

Bar-retained dentures provide an even more secure fit because they are fixed into your jawbone with at least four implants. The metal bar provides rigid support through a series of secure clips that ensures maximum stabilisation. Again, you can remove bar-retained dentures for cleaning or overnight.

Fixed implant-supported dentures

Finally, you can opt for fixed implant-supported dentures. These dentures are extra durable because they are permanently fixed to your jawbone with four or more implants. Implant-supported dentures encourage bone stimulation and help bone growth, while at the same time they restore your chewing function completely.

Get in touch

To book a consultation appointment with Dr Gordon Black or learn more about how Hertford dental implants can have a positive impact on your smile and confidence, please contact us today.

If you are about to undergo implant surgery or you were just fitted with dental implants in Hertford, proper aftercare is important. Symptoms such as bleeding, light pain, redness and swelling are normal after implant surgery, but if you follow your dentist’s instructions, it will help reduce your pain level and speed the healing process.

At Hertford Dental Implants, we use implants to restore your missing teeth, so you can once again enjoy the benefits of a beautiful, strong and healthy smile. Besides fitting your dental implants successfully, our experienced dental team will provide advice for a smooth and pleasant recovery. Here are some important tips and post-operative instructions to follow, if you want to keep your dental implants healthy.

Immediately after implant surgery

After your implant surgery, you should only have cold drinks and do not eat until the anaesthesia has worn off. Avoid hot food and beverages for the first day and do not put too much pressure in the area. Do not touch the dental implants with your tongue or fingers and avoid vigorous activities for at least two days after the operation.

It is quite normal to experience redness, pain and swelling after the operation – it will go away completely after a few days. Swelling can be reduced with ice packs gently placed on your cheek. Equally, pain shouldn’t be significant. Soreness and light pressure will last for a few days after the surgery and can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers. Be careful not to place the pill directly on your teeth or gums as it can affect your soft tissue.

If after a week you still experience pain and swelling, you must return to us as soon as possible in order to ensure that you are not fighting an infection.

Cleaning and maintenance

Successful implant surgery depends on keeping your teeth and gums as clean as possible. Once sensitivity wears off, you should be able to brush your teeth gently with a soft toothbrush. You are advised not to smoke until the wounds have healed, but you should generally consider quitting smoking if you want to ensure maximum success for your dental implants in Hertford.

At Hertford Dental Implants in Hertford, we can offer you the benefit of experience and care when you have your dental implant surgery. We know that implants are very beneficial for patients but we also appreciate that the treatment journey can be challenging at times. We can make it clear to you what the positive impact on your life will be so that you can make an informed choice about whether to go ahead.

What can we offer you?

First up, we can share with you our knowledge and expertise and answer any questions you have about getting implants. You can ask us anything you want and we let you know or find out the answers. If you are well-informed then, when it is time to make the decision to go ahead, you know exactly what will happen and can prepare.

How we take care of you

At Hertford Dental Implants, your dentist does a lot of planning at the start. After making a detailed inspection of your mouth, they use digital imaging technology to make a plan for siting your dental implants.

The position and angle of implants are important. They are placed in your jawbone in a precise way so that, when healing has taken place, they are best able to withstand the forces that you exert when you are chewing or biting. They are very secure so you can make a broad range of food choices.

The other major plan is your overall treatment schedule. You may need some preparatory work such as removal of any unhealthy teeth or perhaps a bone graft.

The treatment itself will take place over a few hours and, afterwards, you will need follow up appointments at Hertford Dental Implants over a few months to check that everything is working as it should.

What will you need to do?

You need to talk openly with your dentist and answer questions about your health and lifestyle accurately so they can give you the best advice for you.

You also need to be prepared to take some time for convalescence after your treatment. Initially, this will mean bed rest for at least a day followed by a gradual resumption of your normal activities. Depending on the nature of your job and how physical it is, you may need to take time off work or restrict the strenuousness of your schedule for a little while.