Dental Implants Everything You Need To Know

Missing teeth, in any part of the mouth, can hamper the beauty of a smile and can cause a significant lack of confidence. Loss of a tooth or teeth can create a space that not only looks unpleasant but also can cause difficulty in chewing and which can further lead to stomach or nutrition problems.

Tooth loss is caused by many reasons, like:

• Decay of tooth
• Trauma to the tooth
• Periodontal or gum diseases.
• Root canal failure.
• Congenital reasons

Healthy Teeth

A dental procedure can easily replace the missing tooth. Replacing the tooth not only restores the function of the lost tooth but also prevents the jaw bone loss and enhances the smile. The only treatment option available for people earlier were bridges and dentures, but Implants are an excellent choice for a lot of people.

What are dental implants?

Dental Implants in simple words are a replacement for the tooth you’ve lost. It is a preferable solution as it is long lasting and reliable. It is inserted into your jaw bone and below the gums and acts as a replacement of the roots. It is combined with the placement of crown to restore the complete tooth structure.

These days doctors have been using medical-grade titanium as a choice of material because it merges with the bone over the time and provides a form of anchorage which makes it long lasting and durable. It keeps the implant firm and in its position so that it doesn't move while eating or doing any other activity. Dental implants are primarily a part of a prosthodontic procedure, but due to its aesthetic benefits, it is also used as a part of cosmetic dentistry these days.

Procedure

The dental implant consists of three parts:

Implant: It comprises of a screw that is inserted into your jaw and acts as an anchorage for the rest of the structure.

Abutment: It is required when your implants need support. It is a connector that holds the teeth.

Crown: The crown is the part above the gums that is visible to you. It is made to match the rest of the dentition. The choice of material is porcelain for it(read more about dental implants).

The procedure for the placement mainly involves the insertion of the screw and the process of Osseointegration. Osseointegration is a crucial step for the success of the implant. It involves fusing of the implant with jaw bone and if it doesn't happen the implant will fail.

Before the treatment, there are a few things that are considered. First, the surrounding teeth and the gums are examined for any decay or disease as it interrupts the process of healing. Smoking cessation is also a critical factor before and during the procedure. Smoking of any kind interferes with the healing process and could cause failure of osseointegration.

Systemic diseases like diabetes or cancer are also considered, and required measures are taken before the treatment. After ensuring that the condition of the mouth is suitable, the dentist proceeds with treatment as follows:

Jaw preparation: The initial step includes creating a space in the jaw for the insertion of a screw. It is done by drilling a hole in the jaw bone which should not be very large. A good understanding of the anatomy of the jaw bone and its nerves is essential to avoid any injuries. If unsure about the anatomy taking an X-ray or CT scan always helps.

Placement of implant: Once the hole has been drilled, the screw is placed, and the gums are brought into approximation. The osseointegration takes over 4-6 months to complete. If it is done, it indicates the success of the implant. Abutments are then placed on the adjacent teeth for support. The next step would be the placement of the crown. The crown must match the color of the dentition and should not be uncomfortable to the patient.

Recovery: If the treatment is carried out with all the precautions there is very less chance of it failing. However, few factors could lead to its failure like, failing to maintain the oral hygiene which leads to infection of the site and smoking during the healing phase.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Clear Lake City Dentist, Dr. Dan S. Hoang, recommends all of his patients to choose dental implants as the choice of treatment as it is long lasting and has many benefits. Some of them being:

• Stunning appearance
• Long lasting
• Improved speech
• Very comfortable
• Better eating
• Protection of bone
• Decreased cavities
• Better oral health
• Increased self-confidence.

If you find yourself in a struggle because of your missing teeth, the best choice for you would be dental implant because of its numerous benefits. So contact your doctor today and get your confidence back.

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_implant
2. http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/i/implants
3. http://danhoangdds.com/dental-implants/