You deserve to feel good! Bring back your smile and make eating a pleasure again with the most natural tooth replacement system available comfortably and with minimal discomfort – Dental Implants.
Your smile is the first thing people see and notice about you when they meet you, making it an important part of a great first impression. Whenever teeth are damaged or missing due to accidents or dental disease, it can greatly affect your self confidence when meeting and speaking to others. This article will address the topic of dental implants and how finding a great dentist who cares about the quality of life of his patients is important when choosing a treatment option.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a metal post, most often made of titanium, that is surgically implanted into the jawbone. A skilled dentist can then attach replacement teeth to this post, creating a permanent structure. Unlike traditional dentures, a dental implant does not detach or come loose
For those with bridges, and partial or complete dentures, implants eliminate the aggravating issue of slippage and the use of adhesives. With implants, your dental appliances will simply snap securely into place and no more worries about loose dentures, eating discomfort or difficulty speaking.
Immune to decay and not easily broken, implants are very durable and can last a lifetime. Because of their many benefits, they are quickly replacing many traditional dental procedures which have become outdated. Dental implants can help restore your teeth back to their natural state and bring you peace of mind.
How Does It Work?
Made of a safe titanium alloy and placed within the jawbone, the implant acts like an artificial “root” for the tooth. Once in place, the implant naturally fuses with the bone over time and is used as an anchor to hold a replacement tooth or other dental appliances.
What is the Process for Dental Implants?
Usually taking less than an hour, the implant procedure is performed using a local anesthesia so the level of pain and discomfort are minimal to none. Afterwards, a temporary tooth covers the implant while it heals and integrates with the jawbone for a period of about eight to twelve weeks. Once your new “root” has healed, your replacement tooth or dental appliance is ready to be put in place.
Reasons for dental implants:
- Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
- Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
- Restore a patient’s confident smile.
- Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
- Restore or enhance facial tissues.
- Support a bridge or denture, making it more secure and comfortable.
How are Dental Implants Fitted?
Implants are placed through a surgical opening in the jawbone. The implant will fully attach to the bone over time, acting as a root and permanently anchoring the new tooth in place. A crown created specifically to look like a natural tooth is then attached to the post, creating the look of a full set of natural teeth. For this procedure to be successful, the bones of the jaw must be healthy and there must be enough bone present to hold the implants.
Who Can Benefit from Implants?
A healthy, beautiful smile is an important asset to people from all walks of life. Generally speaking, anyone healthy enough to undergo oral surgery is likely a good candidate for implants. Individuals who smoke heavily or who have health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes may need to be assessed carefully to see if they qualify for this procedure.
What Type of Implant is Right for You?
Endosteal implants are those that are placed in the jawbone and are typically shaped like small screws. Subperiosteal implants are placed under the gumline but above the actual jawbone. This type of implant may be useful for patients who have less bone to work with, or who do not wish to undergo a more extensive procedure. Aside from those two main types of implants, the extent of work done will vary depending on your needs. It may be as simple as replacing a single tooth lost to an accident or injury or as complex as replacing an entire set of teeth lost to gum disease.
Why are Implants Important to Oral Health?
A healthy set of teeth is not just something to aspire to simply for the sake of looks. Our teeth are of vital importance in the process of nourishing our bodies. If your teeth are unhealthy, crooked, cracked, missing, or otherwise damaged, you may not be able to chew properly. In addition, you may find certain foods are entirely off limits due to the difficulty in biting into them or fully chewing them. This can not only eventually lead to nutritional deficiencies, but can also be a great source of aggravation.
Of course, having a pretty smile is of aesthetic importance and many people feel embarrassed or shy when meeting new people if they have missing or damaged teeth. Self confidence in our smile is important and helps us feel good about ourselves. Implants can give those with missing or damaged teeth the confidence they need to pursue the relationships or jobs they want.
What Areas of the Mouth Can Implants be Adapted to Cover?
A qualified dentist will provide a thorough evaluation and assessment of your mouth, ensuring you are a good candidate for this procedure. Once determined to be a good candidate, implants can generally be placed anywhere they are needed within the mouth.
What is Anterior Replacement?
The loss of an anterior or front tooth can be a traumatic experience for many, since it impacts appearance and self confidence. Also when a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth can shift in their placement, and the bone can eventually soften or deteriorate, compromising the health of the surrounding teeth. Anterior replacement is simply referring to replacing teeth in the front of the mouth, those most heavily impacting self confidence when lost.
What is Posterior Replacement?
Posterior replacement is simply referring to the replacement of teeth in the back of the mouth. Don’t be fooled into thinking the loss of posterior teeth is insignificant simply because such loss may not be noticed by others. A loss of a posterior tooth will still cause surrounding teeth to shift and will ultimately affect the long term health of the bone the tooth was lost from, as mentioned above.
What is Full Upper Replacement and Full Lower Replacement?
A full upper replacement is referring to the replacement of all upper teeth, and a full lower replacement is referring to the replacement of all lower teeth. While in the past many people relied on a full set of dentures to solve the loss of all teeth, dentures are problematic in many ways.
First and foremost, they are a huge source of aggravation as they move around while a person is eating. Additionally, certain foods may get stuck underneath them, causing abrasions or sores on the gums. Some foods may have to be avoided altogether by people who wear dentures, and since they are not permanent, they must be taken out and placed back into the mouth several times a day. Last but not least, the adhesives used to help secure dentures in place can be costly over time as well, and care must be taken to carefully clean and disinfect dentures daily.
On the other hand, oral implants are a permanent option that can be cleaned and cared for just like regular teeth, and others will have no idea that they are not real.
To find out if you are a candidate for implants, request an appointment for a full consultation today. You will receive a complete examination by a dentist who has your best interests at heart. Regain your self confidence today by requesting your consultation.
If you have questions about our affordable dental implants or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact our office.