Dental Implants Explained

How do you know if dental implants are the best solution for you? If you are suffering from eduntulism, which just means “missing teeth,” whether you’re missing one in a visible area or several across your mouth, your quality of life may suffer. You may lack the confidence to smile, or you may not be able to enjoy your favorite foods. Dental implants might be the best remedy.

Additionally, if one or more teeth are missing, this places stress on the remaining teeth, which can lead to further tooth loss. Edentulism also leads to bone loss and jaw deterioration, which could prevent dentures from fitting properly in your mouth.

Fortunately, a variety of dental implants are available to fit your needs and fix your smile. Most dental implants contain titanium, an inert metal that fuses well with living bone. A dental crown, designed to match the rest of your teeth, covers the implant to create a sturdy, permanent “false tooth.” This article outlines three of the most common types of implants.

A root implant, most commonly placed in wide, deep bone, works best if the bone around the missing tooth is still healthy. Root implants can replace one, several or a complete arch of teeth. The cylindrical implant most closely resembles the root of a real tooth. When the bone grows in around the implant, a process called osseointegration, it creates a strong structural support. This structural support holds a new abutment, or a crown, to give you a natural-looking tooth.

If the jawbone is too narrow or short to accommodate a root form implant, the dentist may prescribe bone grafting. Alternatively, he may recommend a platform implant, which is long and flat. Some platform implants undergo osseointegration immediately, but most require a healing period similar to root form implants.

Finally, patients with deteriorated jawbones may require a subperiosteal implant, which sits on top of the bone and under the gums. Subperiosteal implants usually require two office visits. The dentist takes an impression of your bone during the first visit in order to create a custom-made dental implant. Some dentists complete the surgery in one visit, using a CAT scan of your jawbone and computer modeling technology to help fabricate the implant.

You will undergo anesthesia during any dental implant surgery. Dental implants have a 93 percent, 10-year success rate and your oral surgeon can replace your implant if it fails, so there’s very little reason to suffer with missing teeth.