Dental Implants
Essentially, implants are replacement tooth roots made of titanium, which are placed into your jaw. They provide a foundation for the attachment of removable replacement teeth, or to secure permanent teeth.
What are Dental Implants?
If one or more of your teeth are missing, there are a number of ways to replace them. An alternative to bridges, partials or complete dentures may be dental implants. Implants are used to replace missing roots and support artificial replacement teeth. They are comfortable and look like natural teeth.
Essentially, implants are replacement tooth roots made of titanium, which are placed into your jaw. They provide a foundation for the attachment of removable replacement teeth, or to secure permanent teeth.
When the root or nerve of a tooth is damaged, an implant is a perfect solution.
The first step in getting a dental implant is consulting with your dentist. After a full examination, your dentist can determine if you are a suitable candidate for a dental implant. This initial consultation will include x-rays to look at the specific areas that will support an implant. If the dentist believes that there is enough room for an implant, the patient move forward with the procedure.
The attachment of a dental implant is a surgical procedure. It is attached directly to your jawbone. The recovery time for this surgery will vary depending on the scope of the implant. For example, there are single implants and multiple implants.
Single Dental Implants
When you only need to replace or save a single tooth, a single dental implant is used. It is inserted into the jawbone, and a dental crown will be created to match your existing teeth.
Multiple Dental Implants
In the event that you need several dental implants to replace multiple teeth, multiple dental implants are sometimes used to secure dentures or bridges. This creates a more comfortable replacement for missing teeth. If an entire set of teeth needs to be removed, such as all the top teeth or all the bottom teeth, then an implant may be set deeper in the jaw to support a complete denture.
What are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
There are numerous advantages to getting a dental implant. The main benefit is that the implant can help improve the appearance of your smile. It will feel like your own teeth. And, because they are designed to fuse with your jawbone, they will become permanent.
Along with improving your smile, dental implants provide the following advantages:
Improved speech – dental implants help you maintain your smile. Your teeth remain in the same position, which has no impact on your speech. With poor-fitting dentures, teeth can slip, causing you to slur your words or mumbles. This is not an issue with dental implants.
Improved comfort – dental implants are also more comfortable than dentures. The implants become a part of your bone, fusing with the jawbone, which eliminates the potential for discomfort.
Improved self-confidence – dental implants can also improve your self-confidence. They help you get your smile back so that you can feel better about yourself.
Those are not the only benefits. You will also find that it is easier to eat with dental implants than with dentures. Dentures can slide around, which can make it difficult to chew food. The use of dental implants can also improve your oral health.
Dental implants are durable, lasting for years. With proper care, you may even be able to keep your dental implants for life. They are convenient and comfortable, especially when compared to dentures and dental bridges.
Implant Supported Dentures
Another option for tooth replacement is to get implant-supported dentures vs. dental implants or traditional dentures.
An implant-supported prosthesis is a denture which is both retained and supported by four or more dental implants. This means that the denture does not rest on the gums, rather it is fixed on dental implants that are embedded in bone. Unlike dentures, implant supported dentures stay in your mouth all the time, meaning you cannot take them in and out. Only your dentist will remove the denture for cleaning and examination.
Implant-supported dentures are dentures that are designed to take the force of your bite and direct it fully through the dental implants into your bone. They are really designed to ensure you have the most natural and effective bite possible.
In general implant-supported dentures are more expensive than traditional dentures as they require more dental implants and have to be made out of higher quality materials. They often cannot use mini implants, so people need a good amount of bone to support them.
Implant-supported dentures actually draw strength from the bone. The dental implants that support these dentures are embedded in the bone, which prevents them from slipping and gives them added strength. They do not create sore spots from rubbing against the gums. Dental implants stimulate the bone and, as a result, the bone is far less likely to shrink.
To decide which tooth replacement procedure is right for you, schedule a consultation with us at Wilson East Dental Care. We look forward to helping you get your best smile!
Wilson East Links
Our Services
Dental Implants
Visiting the dentist once every six months is recommended. However, certain cases may require more frequent visits depending on the severity of the condition.
Invisalign
Visiting the dentist once every six months is recommended. However, certain cases may require more frequent visits depending on the severity of the condition.
Veneers
Visiting the dentist once every six months is recommended. However, certain cases may require more frequent visits depending on the severity of the condition.
Teeth Whitening
Visiting the dentist once every six months is recommended. However, certain cases may require more frequent visits depending on the severity of the condition.