Dental implants are composed of an artificial tooth roots made from titanium that acts as a permanent base for on which a replacment tooth called a crown is placed. They can be compared to dentures, Implants and crowns, however dental implants are a more popular and effective long-term solution for patients that are missing teeth, or have failing teeth due to chronic dental problems. When one or more teeth are lost due to decay or trauma, options for replacement include dentures, dental crowns and Implants, and dental implants. Dental implants are generally accepted as the best replacement for missing teeth, because of their durability, comfort and long-term benefits for the patient. While dentures are removable, and present different annoyances, such as movement; discomfort; difficulty eating certain foods, dental implants are a fixed, permanent alternative, which will serve you just like strong natural teeth. Foremost in the benefits of dental implants, is their solid anchoring in the jawbone. Where teeth are missing, bone will shrink over time, but with dental implants, the jawbone’s integrity is maintained, ensuring the patient’s bone structure and profile is preserved. The success rate of dental implant procedures is around 95%. Patients report increased confidence, and greatly improved comfort upon completion of treatment.
Your implant surgeon will assess if you are a good candidate for implants. For an implant to merge successfully, osseointegration must occur. This is the fusing together of natural tissue with the implant’s manmade materials. As an implant settles into jawbone, the patient’s natural bone tissue grows around the synthetic material, creating a robust cohesion between the new tooth and the gum. Before embarking on the process, your surgeon will determine that your oral tissue and jawbone ridges are strong and in good shape to receive the implant fixture. Once bone health and density is established, the surgeon will explain each step involved, when opting for one or more implants:
The dentist will perform the removal of the affected tooth. Ensuring the socket is clean, clear of infection and debris is of paramount importance before planning begins to prepare your jawbone to receive the implant. Your surgeon will determine that enough bone is present, to accommodate the surgical grade titanium screw. In some cases a grafting procedure is required, to build up sufficient bone required to hold the device. Different options are available, such as synthetic bone grafting, or an alternative procedure, which takes more time, but triggers the patient’s own body to create bone growth in the area required. After the positioning of your implant is determined, and its direction into the jawbone. Using a series of different-sized drilling tools, the dentist will create the opening to accommodate the titanium post. Threading may be required, to craft the bone correctly to fit the threads of the screw. After the implant is fitted, and gum sutured, a settling period of around three to six months should be expected. This is to give your jaw and gum time to recover, and for the bone to become merged with the titanium post. Your dentist will ensure the implant has ‘taken’, and that bone has successfully fused to the implant, locking the foundation of the implant into the jaw. Once the screw is bonded an abutment is placed on the fixture to hold the crown or prosthetic tooth. While dental implants can be considered a more costly solution for missing teeth; the process requiring a time commitment, and discomfort, the results are superior, robust and long lasting. Dental implants sit comfortably in the mouth, permanently, in exactly the same manner as natural teeth, and afford the individual freedom from caring for removable dentures. Beyond replacing lost teeth, implants can improve on the appearance of the natural tooth, creating a perfected version of your original smile. Everyday blushing, flossing and oral hygiene will support your dental implants, which with good maintenance will last a lifetime.
With almost 50 years of clinical research, dental implants have improved and advanced significantly over time, to achieve a high quality, attractive and incredibly durable replacement for lost teeth. The dental bridge, while cosmetic and adequate for covering gaps, lacks the fundamental feature making implants a preferable option: its anchoring in the jawline. Patients can receive an implant to replace one lost tooth, multiple teeth, or entire top and bottom, held on four implant posts in the gum. A dental bridge can cover a gap from a missing tooth, however the bridge system lacks some of the benefits of a dental implant. A bridge provides a strong, cosmetic solution to replace a missing natural tooth, though there are disadvantages, such as losing teeth on either side, which require filing down to support the cement holding the prosthetic tooth in place. Furthermore, because the middle tooth is being supported by teeth on either side, and not held in place by a post going directly into the gum, cleaning a bridge is carried out a little differently. While natural teeth and those supported by implants, can be flossed and brushed in the usual way, a bridge requires a little extra attention to clean hard to reach areas on the gum-line. The slightly different cleaning routine can mean the patient has more difficulty flossing thoroughly, resulting in some cases in a build-up of tartar around the dental bridge.
Before embarking on a course of treatment, or reconstructive oral work, your dentist and oral surgeon will explore all options available to you at length. From expected lifespan of your dental prosthesis, cost involved, and appearance of your finished result, our dentists are committed to helping you choose the best option for you. Make an appointment to see one of our dentists. We will asses your suitability if you have missing or damaged teeth. If you have severe bone loss due to missing teeth or a pre existing medical condition then your may consult with an oral surgeon or periodontist.
