Dental implants treatment is an effective solution for replacing natural teeth that are missing or are no longer functional. The procedure uses dental implants, which are an artificial root that is fashioned out of titanium metal.
This root looks similar to a screw fixture or small metal post and is surgically inserted into the jawbone beneath your gums. Once the dental implant is fused with your jawbone, an artificial crown is attached to the dental implant to simulate a natural tooth.
How Do Dental Implants Work & Why Are They Recommended?
Dental implants work by becoming a permanent part of your mouth. When they are surgically inserted into the jawbone, they fuse with both the bone and the gum tissue that surrounds the area.
Once properly fused, the dental implant will not move and serves as a stable artificial root on which a dental crown can be affixed.
The procedure steps may vary depending on what type of dental implant you are getting, but the general process is as follows.
- You will undergo surgery that will place the implant into your jawbone. It will be covered with gum tissue and allowed to integrate with the jawbone for 3-6-months.
- Once your dental implants have successfully fused with your jaw, a post will be attached to it. In some cases, both the implant and the post will be surgically placed at the same time. The implant acts as the root and the post serves as the anchor for the artificial crown. In the case of multiple dental implants, you will be given bridges that will be fastened to the implant.
- A customized crown(s) will be attached to the implant post.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
You are a good candidate for dental implants if you fit into any of the criteria below.
1. If You Have Missing Teeth
Dental implants are a great choice for individuals who have missing teeth. They ensure that the jawbone is stabilized, preventing an aged appearance from bone loss and increasing chewing efficiency, speaking capability, and self-esteem. Dental implants blend in naturally, so no one will know that you have an artificial tooth unless you tell them.
2. If You Have Cracked Teeth
Depending on the severity of the crack, corrective surgery may be able to fix the tooth without a dental crown or implant. However, if the tooth needs to be restructured due to extensive damage, dental implant surgery can give you a brand new tooth.
3. If Your Dentures Are Loose-Fitting Or You Want an Alternative Option
If you have partial or full dentures that are loose-fitting, these can become a problem really fast. Loose dentures encourage bone and mouth shrinkage, which leads to tooth misalignment and sagging skin. In turn, this can cause problems with eating and speaking. Beyond this, dentures can cause sore spots if they shift.
Dental implants are a fantastic alternative as they don’t fall out, shift, and they encourage healthy bone stimulation.
Those who are pregnant, have a chronic illness, or are immunocompromised are not good candidates for dental implants as these may increase the risk of infection. Individuals with bruxism are also not great candidates as the grinding/clenching action can put too much pressure on the dental implants.
If you’d like to consider dental implant treatment and/or have any questions, feel free to get in touch today.
