Dental Implant – The Best Option for Replacing Missing Teeth

Did you know that dental implants are currently the safest, best and permanent treatment choice for replacing missing teeth? Millions of Americans suffer tooth loss mostly due to tooth decay, gum diseases, sudden injury or accidents. In such cases, there is no other option but to rush to your emergency dentist or surgeon. Although there have been significant improvements in dental care in the last few years, about twenty years ago, bridges and dentures were the only way to make up for such loss to eat properly, speak clearly or smile. Removable dentures may often slip or cause other embarrassments and fixed bridges often affect adjacent healthy teeth causing decay or other gum diseases. Besides, they have a definite life span for about 7 to 15 years. But now things have changed and dental plate are a far better and permanent solution today for restoring misplaced teeth.

Dental implant, a “root” device made of titanium is a safe and lasting solution used in dentistry to support restorations resembling a tooth or group of teeth to replace missing ones. Majority of artificial teeth today are root-form endosseous, i.e., they appear identical to the actual tooth root and are placed within the bone. The bone of the jaw accepts and osseointegrates with the titanium post. Dental implants fuse completely with the bone; however, they’ll feel slightly different from original teeth while chewing. Prior to root-form endosseous implants, most implants were either blade endosseous implants or subperiosteal implants. Implants are used to support a variety of dental prosthesis including crowns, bridges and dentures. They even work as support for orthodontic tooth movement.

Your oral or maxillofacial surgeon surgically places the implants in your jawbone. Prior to this dental surgery, talk to your dentist regarding the entire procedure. Dental implants are implemented with proper sedation, so reason to worry. Before surgery, two-dimensional radiographs such as orthopantomographs or periapicals are often taken. Sometimes, a CT scan is also done. After the bone grows on the surface of the implant, a crown can be placed on the implant. Mini artificial teeth unlike usual implants can be loaded immediately with high endurance rates.

The amount of time required for a dental implant to heal varies widely, but on the whole, it takes around 2-6 months to cure completely. Dental implants never slip or decay like dentures or bridges, neither do they appear like false teeth or make any embarrassing noise. Since dental implants completely mingle with the jawbone, bone loss is not likely. If proper care is taken, artificial teeth stay a lifetime. A dental implant replacing a single tooth is composed of three important parts: the titanium implant that blends with the jawbone; the abutment, which fits over the portion of the implant that sticks out from the gum line; and the crown, which is fitted onto the abutment for a natural look. Even if you are missing one tooth or more than one, it’s always better to go for artificial teeth for a lifelong solution. Your oral surgeon will carefully examine the area regarding any medical condition, gum disease or problem teeth and then decide how many implants to place. With a success rate of over 95%, dental surgeons consider dental implants to be the best treatment for restoring missing teeth. Today dental implants combine the best of modern science and technology. With just a conscientious home oral care, you can expect long-lasting results!