Dental Implants
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots (made from surgical grade titanium) and are placed into the jaw bone to serve as a tooth replacement. Dental implants are an ideal option for people who have lost one or multiple teeth due to periodontal disease, trauma or some other factors. Dental implants also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances.
Dental Implants Procedure
Tooth Implants are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by an Oral Surgeon or a Periodontist – a specialist of the gums and supporting bone. Implants look and feel as natural as your original teeth. They feel so natural you may forget you ever lost a tooth!
Tooth implant procedures have decades of scientific research behind their science. The 97% success rate of dental implant surgery speaks highly of the enduring longevity. Dental implants allow you to save your natural tooth structure by avoiding bridges, since dental implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.
Reasons For Dental Implants
- Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth
- Restore a patient’s confident smile
- Restore chewing, speech, and digestion
- Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space
- Restore or enhance facial tissues
- Support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable
Advantages of a Dental Implant over Dentures or a Bridge
Esthetic
Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth! Since dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often accompany bridgework and dentures. No one will ever know that you have a replacement tooth.
Confidence
Dental implants will allow you to once again speak and eat with comfort and confidence! They are secure and offer freedom from the irksome clicks and wobbles of dentures. They’ll allow you to say goodbye to worries about misplaced dentures and messy pastes.
Reliable
The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable. They are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement. There is no option for replacing a missing tooth or teeth or for securing dentures which is as reliable as dental implants.
Tooth-saving
Dental implants don’t sacrifice the integrity of your adjacent teeth like a bridge does because neighboring teeth are not altered to support the implant. More of your own teeth are left untouched, a significant long-term benefit to your oral health!
What Does a Tooth Implant Procedure Involve?
The process of getting tooth implants requires a number of visits over several months. X-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant. While the area is numb, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself onto the bone for up to six months. Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required in order to place the “post” that will hold the artificial tooth in place.
After several weeks of healing the artificial teeth are made and fitted to the post portion of the anchor. Because several fittings may be required, this step may take one to two months to complete. After a healing period, the artificial teeth are securely attached to the dental implant, providing excellent stability and comfort to the patient.
Like natural teeth, brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist regularly are essential to the success of dental implants. You will receive care instructions when your treatment is completed. Good oral hygiene, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new implant.
