Dental Implants – Solution for Missing Teeth
A healthy mouth and a beautiful smile are one of the best assets that a person can have. Our teeth play a significant role in our life. Apart from chewing food, we also get our face structure and our speech because of our teeth. Smiling is likewise very beneficial in daily life. It not only boosts our self-confidence but also impacts our professional and personal relationships. A smile can transform our personality and appearance. Having healthy teeth and good oral health can have so many life-changing advantages for you. However, there might be some conditions due to which your smile may get affected. Oral problems like tooth decay and cavities may require the removal of one or more teeth. What can follow the process of teeth removal is the replacement with dental implants. Dental implants look similar to teeth. They function and feel like natural teeth and enable you to smile confidently. Dental implants are one of the most long-term options. They are also worthy and provide exceptional results options, as compared to other teeth replacement procedures. With dental implants, you can eat, smile and be involved in other social activities. Also, you don't have to bother about their look and if they will come out.
Importance Of Healthy Teeth
Teeth are not only an essential part of our smile, but also they affect our overall state of well-being. They enable us to eat and to chew our food. They also mark the beginning of the human digestive system. Our teeth also control how we speak. Considering how significant teeth are in our daily life, we often tend to underestimate their importance.
Sometimes, we even forget the intended purpose of the teeth. Doing some tasks like opening bottle caps and chopping the threads abuse the teeth and damage the enamel. We often tend to skip dentist appointments and forget to care about our teeth due to our busy schedules. But we get in trouble when the teeth cause unbearable pain, as an alarming sign that they require care. Performing our day-to-day tasks without having teeth seems unimaginable. Here are the reasons why teeth are of utmost importance for us.
1. Eating
When you eat your food, the tongue pushes it towards the teeth. The teeth then grind it into smaller pieces and make it simpler to swallow. Teeth are essential for eating, metabolism, and hence absorbing nutrition. They kick start the process of digestion right from your mouth.
2. Persona
Teeth play a significant part in defining one's personality. They encourage us to smile and look good. Our teeth are one of our ultimate assets and one of the main traits that make us look attractive.
3. Self-Confidence
A healthy set of teeth enhances self-esteem and boosts confidence. People who don't hold themselves back from smiling tend to be more kind, friendly, and are easy to approach.
4. Speaking
Another reason for the significance of teeth is speech. When kids lose their primary teeth, it becomes difficult for them to pronounce some particular words till they get their permanent teeth. Teeth enable you to perform a variety of sounds and articulations. They, along with the tongue, form distinct positions that allow you to pronounce different words.
5. Facial Structure
The teeth enable one to retain their face structure as they are attached to the jaw. Without the presence of teeth, the cheeks start to decline without any support. It changes the formation of the face and makes it look older than it is. Hence, it is essential to take care of the teeth and prevent their loss.
6. Jaw Strength
Teeth emerge from the gums connected to the jawbone. When the teeth are healthy, your jawbone stays strong. Loss of teeth may lead to improper alignment of the jaw. It can cause trouble because the other teeth may shift to fill the gap due to tooth loss.
A healthy and sturdy set of teeth enable you to feel confident, socially appealing, and comfortable. They enhance your personality and contribute to your growth. Hence, one should not overlook even a slight sign of damage to the teeth. It could lead the problem to scale, causing further trouble in the future.
What Are Dental Implants
The dental implants that are known today are an invention by Swedish orthopedic surgeon Per-Ingvar Brånemark in 1952. In today's world, they are the ultimate replacements for missing teeth. Dental implants are one of the most common solutions for tooth loss. There might be several reasons which may require the removal of a tooth. Some of them are improper dental hygiene, gum disease, tooth decay, plaque, and tartar.
A dental implant is a medical fixture that, installed in the jaw bone. This fixture then fuses with the bone over the next few months. The implant, when connected with the bone, acts as the artificial root for the tooth. It serves as a replacement for the base that makes the foundation for the tooth. An implant is different from other tooth replacement options in such a way that an implant replaces not only the tooth but also the root. The process of fusion of the jawbone with the dental implant root is known as 'osseointegration.'
Losing a tooth and not replacing it changes the whole dynamics of the mouth. Other teeth will tend to shift towards the gap to fill it. It will affect the whole alignment of your teeth set, and you may develop further oral problems. Getting dental implants is advisable because it mimics a natural tooth. It is an effective intervention process to replace fallen teeth without affecting the nearby teeth. It also has exceptional durability. Dental implants are generally composed of titanium. It allows the implants to integrate with the jawbone without being identified as an alien object in the human body. With technological advancements over time, the results of the best dental implants have improved manifold. Today, around 98 percent of dental implants are successful. It makes them one of the best methods to treat the loss of the tooth.
Need For Dental Implants
The need for dental implant dentistry is to revive the function of lost teeth. People also acquire them for enhancing aesthetics. Dental implants can replace single teeth, multiple teeth, or the whole set. As per the extent of the problem, there are generally three options for replacing the teeth.
· Removable Dental Apparatus: They could be partial or complete dentures.
· Fixed Dental Bridge: Replacement teeth, also known as crown cemented to the adjacent teeth.
· Dental Implants: Replacement for roots as well as teeth.
Out of the above options, dentures are the most affordable ones. But they are not so desirable. Dentures are removable, but they may cause some discomfort and inconvenience. They can also affect the taste of food and sensitivity. Fixed dental bridges were extremely popular before the shift to dental implants. The main drawback of a fixed dental bridge is the support that it requires from the adjacent teeth.
Dental implants are the most preferable because they are associated with the jaw bone and don't affect the surrounding healthy teeth. Several factors may affect the option to choose the best tooth replacement solution. Talking about dental implants, some factors to consider are:
1. The preference of the patient
2. The place from where the tooth is missing
3. The quality of the jaw bone to place the dental implant
4. The cost of the whole dental implant procedure
5. The health of the patient
It becomes necessary to have dental implants when dentures and fixed bridges cant solve your problem. If one doesn't replace the missing tooth, it may lead to several severe oral conditions. Dental implants not only have aesthetic advantages, but also they impact the overall dynamics of your mouth. They keep your teeth in place, maintain a healthy jawbone, and let you have a healthy set of teeth. Whenever there is tooth loss, and one doesn't treat it, the jawbone may start deteriorating. It is because when we chew the food, it puts pressure on the jawbone. This pressure helps in preserving it. Apart from this, dental implants can also be essential for aesthetics. Tooth loss may make one conscious of their looks and smiles. Getting a dental implant can boost self-confidence and enable one to smile freely. Therefore, dental implants affect not only your physical health but also your social and psychological well-being.
Advantages Of Dental Implants
When we talk about getting a replacement for a missing tooth, there are so many options. But the best one among the lot is dental implants. There are so many benefits that dental implants offer as compared to fixed bridge implants and dentures. Here are some of the reasons why dental implants are one of the best solutions for missing teeth:
- Dental implants prevent the loss of bones
Loss of teeth also results in the loss of bone mass in the jaw. The jaw maintains its quantity with the stimulation and pressure of the teeth. Hence, to preserve the jaw mass and prevent the loss of bone, dental implants are the only tooth replacement procedure that works.
- Dental implants are similar to natural teeth
As dental implants come in several sizes and shapes, you can get them designed like your natural teeth. A dentist will create a crown that matches the shape and color of your natural teeth. Dental implants fit so well that it is almost impossible to tell the difference between the teeth and the implant.
- Dental implants revive the biting force
Since the dental implants connect to the jaw through a titanium screw, it replaces the root. It enables one to chew and bite food with a similar force as you do with a natural set of teeth. If you go for other options, such as dentures, you may not get the same pressure because it is not implanted within the jaw and sits on the top of the gums.
- Dental implants maintain the facial structure
The teeth and jaw define one's face shape. Losing teeth may take away the support on which the cheeks rest. It eventually changes the face shape and makes one look older than their age. Getting dental implants to provide support as natural teeth would do, hence maintaining your face shape.
- Dental implants enable you to speak naturally
Loss of teeth can also impact the way you speak. Tooth replacement options such as dentures may not allow you to pronounce some words right. Since dental implants function the same as natural teeth, they enable you to speak normally.
- Dental implants don't decay
Dental implants need to be cared for to prevent the build-up of bacteria. But, the material of which the creation of implants takes place doesn't decay. Hence you don't have to worry about getting a cavity in the implanted tooth.
- Dental implants are easy to care for and maintain
Just like you brush and floss your teeth, dental implants need the same. You don't require any special tools and products to care for them. As dental implants resemble natural teeth, take care of them likewise.
- Dental implants don't slip away
Dentures and likely shift in the mouth while eating. It may make a person self-conscious and feel embarrassed. Dental implants, on the other hand, are perfectly fixed into the jaw. So there is no chance of them slipping away.
- Dental implants support adjoining teeth
When you lose a tooth, the adjacent teeth may shift towards the gap to fill it. It leads to misalignment and a change in facial structure. By getting dental implants, there is no shifting of teeth, and you retain your smile.
Types Of Dental Implants
There are different kinds of dental implants, and for each type, there are several options for coating, connectors, and size. To get thorough knowledge about dental implants and what may suit you, you can conduct some research. Searching for 'top rated dental implants near me' will provide you the local information. The placing of dental implants falls mainly in two categories:
Endosteal Implants
It is the most regularly used dental implant. Sometimes it is an alternate option of a removable denture. Though your dentist will suggest the appropriate type of dental implant required for you, endosteal implants are a very prevalent option in today's world. In the treatment process with endosteal implants, a titanium screw goes into the jawbone. It acts as an artificial root. This process requires you to wait for the bone and the tissue around the root to heal. It may take a couple of months to heal properly, but this process provides the most stable and close to natural results.
Since the endosteal implant begins with installing the screw to the jaw, it requires the jawbone to be dense and healthy. If one has a narrow jaw bone naturally or due to any other health conditions, the screw might not get enough support. In such cases, the endosteal implant procedure will not work.
Subperiosteal Implants
Subperiosteal implants are not very popular nowadays. For the patients who had a smaller jaw or insufficient bone density, this process was the solution. While installing the subperiosteal implants, they are placed on the jawbone in the gum tissue, leaving the metal implant support revealed through the gums to uphold the denture. In the subperiosteal implant procedure, the treatment is shorter as compared to the endosteal one. However, this process doesn't provide the same durability. The reason is that the implant holds on the top of the bone rather than connecting to it. It rests on the gums. The subperiosteal implant treatment gives more support than dentures without implants but less than the endosteal implants.
Dental Implant Surgery
The process of replacing the missing tooth is called Dental implant surgery. It consists of two parts. The first one is replacing the roots of the tooth with metal screws. And, the second part is replacing the missing tooth with an artificial one that looks and works like an original tooth. If the dentures and fixed bridge procedure don't resolve tooth loss, then dental implant surgery is the best option. The process to follow depends upon the health of your jawbone and the type of the implant. It may consist of several procedures. The main advantage of implants is that it provides a solid foundation for the artificial tooth. This process requires the bone and tissue around the implant to heal completely that makes the base stronger. Since the healing of bone requires time, this procedure may go on for a couple of months.
The Procedure Of Dental Implant Surgery
When you decide to get dental implant surgery, you will have to consult with a dentist. The doctor has an examination of your mouth and the site where you're considering getting implants. He will also study the imaging of your jaw through X-Rays, or CT scans. The analysis of the jawbone will determine the space, quantity, and health of the site. Once the doctor confirms that you can have implants in the required location, you will have to come again for the surgery.
During the dental implant surgery, the patient receives local anesthesia, which numbs that particular area. The doctor may also give some sedatives to manage the anxiety and avoid discomfort. The first step of dental implant surgery involves the extraction of the tooth. Sometimes, there might be the presence of a part of a damaged tooth at the implant site. It is essential to remove this site. The doctor may also place a synthetic bone known to get a solid foundation for the implant. It is known as an alveolar bone graft. It then heals for two to six months.
There might also be conditions where there is no tooth, and the presence of bone is also less. In this case, a different type of bone graft sits over the existing jawbone. This process is known as an 'Onlay bone graft' and needs around six months to heal. When sufficient bone is present, the doctor extracts the tooth and places the implants in the same visit. This process is known as "immediate implant" placement.
When the implant needs to attach to the upper jaw, there is a limited amount of bone present. It happens because of the presence of the maxillary sinus. The maxillary sinus is the space filled with air and found in the bones of the face. In such a case, the doctor performs 'sinus augmentation' that raises the sinus floor and creates more space for bone grafting. It increases the bone available for the foundation of a dental implant.
Once there is sufficient bone available, the site becomes ready for the placement of dental implants. An implant is a titanium post that your dentist fixes in the jawbone with special drills and tools. It is followed by placing a healing cap over the dental implant and stitching of gums. After this, the phase of healing begins. During the healing phase, you can wear a temporary denture in place of missing teeth. The healing time is between two to six months. In this time, the implant integrates with the bone. The pace of healing depends on the quality of the bone. During the time of healing, one must avoid placing force or stress on the implants. While you heal, the dentist may call you to examine the site and ensure that no infection is there and the process is going on properly.
Once the healing period passes, the dental implants undergo testing. This process is necessary to ensure that the surrounding bone has accepted the implants. After confirming the healing, a prosthetic part attaches to the implant through a screw. This component is called an abutment. The purpose of this element is to hold the crown or the artificial tooth in its place. The doctor takes an impression of this abutment to create a mold. Through this mold, the dentist gets the carves out the crown that matches the structure of your natural teeth. Once the whole process is complete, the crown will be either cemented or screwed to the abutment. Hence, providing a new tooth that is as good and functional as natural.
Myths And Facts About Dental Implants
Losing natural teeth could make one feel embarrassed about themselves. For this reason, people hold themselves back from asking about dental implants. Due to a lack of knowledge about implants, people often tend to develop several misconceptions. Here are some myths about dental implants that might help to clear misunderstandings.
Myth: Dental implants are very costly, and not many people can afford them.
Fact: The best dental implants may seem expensive. However, in the long term, they are very cost-effective. Dentures and fixed bridge implants need replacement after every 15 years. They also require ongoing maintenance like adhesives and fixatives.
Myth: Getting dental implants damages the jaw and gums.
Fact: Dental implants support the teeth and protect the mouth. They fill up the gap due to teeth loss and prevent the adjacent teeth from shifting in. They also preserve your jawbone by maintaining the pressure.
Myth: Dental implants appear and feel fake.
Fact: Dental implants look and function like natural teeth. They fix in the jaw similar to a natural tooth root. The design of a dental implant makes it impossible to teel the difference between original and implanted teeth. The crown of the implant is of porcelain or ceramic, which resembles natural teeth.
Myth: Getting dental implants is very painful and causes discomfort.
Fact: People with a dental implant say that it pains way less than they thought. Once you recover, it will be comfortable and won't cause any discomfort like dentures.
Myth: Dentures are the best option for tooth replacement.
Fact: If one doesn't have any natural teeth left, getting dentures may be a painless option. But dental implants are far more durable than dentures. Dental implants feel like natural teeth in your jaw.
Conclusion
One of the best advantages of having good oral hygiene is the confidence that you gain. A smile is an asset that enhances your personality. Losing teeth doesn't mean that one has to live with discomfort and low self-confidence. Dental implants are one of the most effective and best solutions for missing teeth. Once you get an implant, it feels as if you have a natural tooth at the site. No one can know that you have implants except you and your dentist. An important thing to remember is to find a dentist experienced in the procedure. Search for top rated dental implants near me. Opening about your oral conditions might make one uncomfortable, but you must convey your problem precisely. Let nothing stop you from smiling freely and living life at your best!
When you visit us at JACKSON DENTAL, we identify the best solution for your dental concerns. Book an appointment with us today!