Dental implants replace a tooth that is lost due to gum disease, decay, injury or bone loss. Implants replace tooth roots and provide a strong foundation for a fixed (permanent tooth) and replace teeth that are made to match your natural teeth.
Why Dental Implants are an Advantage over Other Options
According to the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Periodontists, dental implants:
- Replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth.
- Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.
- Provide support for dentures, making it more secure and comfortable.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants may be an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.
There are two of the most common dental implant procedures:
Talk to your dentist about whether dental implants are right for you, because a lot depends on where in your jaw they are placed.
- Endosteal (in the bone): Screws, cylinders or blades are surgically placed into the jawbone. Each implant holds the prosthetic tooth. These types of implants are generally used as an alternative for patients with bridges or removable dentures.
- Subperiosteal (on the bone): These are placed on top of the jaw with the metal framework’s posts protruding through the gum to hold the prosthesis. These types of implants are used for patients who are unable to wear conventional dentures and who have minimal bone height.
Dental implants provide a much better and more natural appearance than bridges and other non-permanent devices. Another advantage for dental implants is that they look and feel like your own teeth. They are designed to fuse with bone and become permanent.
Better than Dentures
Unlike loose devices in your mouth, a permanent implant improves speech. With poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within the mouth causing you to try and adjust the device while trying to speak clearly at the same time. With a permanent structure in your mouth, you don’t have this problem. Implants also improve comfort as they are part of you. It is easier to eat and chewing is natural.
Health
Dental implants don’t require reducing other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene.
How Successful Are Dental Implants?
Success rates of dental implants vary which is why you want to make an appointment with Hills Dental Care. The benefit is largely dependent on the expertise of the dental surgeon and analysis of your particular circumstance.
A lot depends on where in your jaw the implants are placed. Dental implants have a success rate of up to 98 percent.
What You Can Expect From an Implant Procedure:
A dental implant procedure is usually performed in the office with a team of experts, possibly your dentist and yourperiodontist. At Dental Implants of Chapill Hill, there is always an in-depth consultation to determine where and how your implant should be placed.
Depending on your specific condition and the type of implant chosen, your periodontist will create a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. Some of the reasons that require an implant include:
- Sinus Augmentation: The amount of bone still available and the health of that bone is a determining factor. Often the upper back jaw has traditionally been one of the most difficult areas to successfully place dental implants due to insufficient bone quantity and quality and the close proximity to the sinus.
- The Necessity of Replacing More than one Tooth: The Dental Guide Australia revealed that in the 1990’s, dental surgeons evolved a new and more efficient, technique of implants called the “All on 4 Implant Technique.” This process is based on the use of only 4 implants to support the entire arch on the upper or lower. Otherwise it would take 8 separate implants as opposed to possibly 16 with traditional implants.Compared to traditional implant surgery, the new process require fewer implants, a complete dental restoration, less expensive, shorter time in surgery and faster recovery.
- Modification: If you have jaw deformities, in order to fix the problem, the gum is lifted away from the ridge to expose the bone. The defect is then filled with bone or a bone substitute material to build up the ridge. Ridge modification is a procedure that greatly improves appearance. Because of the permanence of the material, and increase your chances for success.
Follow-up
Dental Guide Australia emphasizes that proper dental hygiene is the same as before. Good oral hygiene is imperative everyday for maximum dental health. Implants are the same as own teeth and require the same care.
Periodic follow-up visits should be scheduled as you would normally for teeth cleaning and to monitor your implant, teeth and gums to make sure they stay healthy.
When you are interested to see if dental implants are right for you, be sure to contact us for a consultation.
