WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT
WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT?
Dental implants are a surgical fixture which is implanted into the jaw bone; the implant itself is placed in the natural bone of the jaw, which results in a natural bonding process. This naturally bonded implant creates a stable, naturally strong base for artificial prostheses such as dental crowns, bridges, dentures and more. Dental implants are a popular and effective solution for missing teeth, and they have a success rate of over 95%.
Dental implants are a relatively common dental procedure that more people are pursuing in order to replace a missing tooth, which can be done for medical or aesthetic reasons depending on a case-by-case basis. If you want to know more about dental implants, read on to find out what they are, why people get them, and what you need to do after receiving an implant.
TYPES OF PROCEDURES
There are several types of dental implant procedures. The most common is the endosteal dental implant, which involves placing the implant into the jawbone. Another type of dental implant is the subperiosteal dental implant, which involves placing the implant under the gum tissue but on top of the jawbone.
WHO NEEDS DENTAL IMPLANTS?
Dental implants can be recommended for a variety of reasons, with the two most common reasons being medical and aesthetic. Aesthetic-inspired implants are ideal for people who have lost teeth due to trauma or injuries and they want artificial teeth in order to restore their previous appearance. Aesthetic-inspired implants are more common for front teeth or teeth that are otherwise visible.
Implants done for medical reasons are typically done in order to preserve the patient’s ability to chew properly by restoring artificial teeth; these implants can be done anywhere in the mouth, though are more common along the bite radius. People who need implants for medical reasons may have lost teeth due to injury or poor periodontal health such as gum disease and infection.
Dental implants are considered by experts to be the next best thing to having a natural, healthy tooth in your mouth. If you have lost a tooth, either due to injury or poor health, a dental implant will help ensure that you can eat normally while filling in gaps in your mouth which may otherwise lead to dental shifting.
BENEFITS OF DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY
If you are considering dental implant surgery, you may be wondering what the benefits are.
- Dental implants are a popular choice for tooth replacement, and for good reason. Here are some of the benefits of dental implant surgery:
- Dental implants are permanent. Once the implants are in place, they are there for good. This means you won’t have to worry about your teeth shifting or falling out, as can happen with dentures.
- Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. They are custom-made to match the color and shape of your natural teeth, so nobody will be able to tell that you have them.
- Dental implants are strong and durable. With proper care, they can last a lifetime.
- Dental implants can help preserve your bone. When you lose a tooth, the bone in that area begins to deteriorate. Dental implants help to Stimulate bone growth and prevent bone loss.
- Dental implants can give you back your confidence. With new teeth that look and feel natural, you can smile with confidence again.
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS
It’s important to note that the success of a dental implant will be based on the overall gum health and continued oral hygiene of the patient who receives the implant. Patients who receive dental implants require healthy gum tissue in order for the implant to successfully bond—and to help make sure that the implant does not result in the spread of bacteria and infection due to lack of continued oral hygiene.
Just as patients need to take regular care of their natural teeth, they need to take care of implants with regular oral hygiene routines: this includes daily flossing, brushing and rinsing with an antiseptic rinse in order to remove plaque and bacteria from the implanted tooth. A failure to maintain regular oral hygiene will result in a build-up of disease causing plaque, which will actually spread faster on an implanted tooth than a natural one because implanted teeth have no defense against plaque in the way that natural teeth do.
If you have received an implant but you aren’t sure how to best maintain it, make sure you consult with your dentist about proper cleaning and hygiene routines to keep your implant healthy.