Dental Implants
- What are dental implants ?
- What are the advantages of dental implants?
- Esthetics: Dental implants look, feel, and function like your own teeth.
- Tooth-saving: If your adjacent teeth are in good condition, it won't be necessary to modify them to make a permanent bridge.
- Confidence: Dental implants will allow you to speak and eat with comfort and confidence.
- Reliability: The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable. They are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement.
- Versatility: Implants will allow a bridge to be placed where there are not enough natural teeth to support a conventional bridge.
- Am I a candidate for dental implants?
- What can I expect after treatment?
- What are implants made of?
- How long does it take to replace teeth with implants ?
A dental implant is an artificial root placed into the jaw to hold an artificial tooth or bridge in place. After placement, the implant fuses to the bone of the jaw and acts as an artificial tooth root. Replacement teeth, singularly or grouped on a bridge or denture, are then mounted to the implant(s).
The demand for dental implants is rapidly growing. They are in many cases the most appropriate treatment option for replacing missing teeth. They are slowly replacing dentures, bridges, and removable teeth.
The ideal candidate for a dental implant is one in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in the jaw is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissue free of periodontal disease. Some chronic diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, or chronic sinus problems may interfere with proper healing and could prevent the bone from attaching to the implant. Long-term medication use and certain behaviors like smoking also may affect the stability of the implant over time
Dental implants are like your own teeth and will require the same conscientious at-home oral care and regular dental visits. In order to keep your implant clean and plaque free, brushing and flossing still apply.
The implant itself is made of metal (titanium), which has proven to be very compatible with bone and other tissues. Like conventional crowns and bridges, the replacement teeth mounted on the implants are made of porcelain or porcelain and metal.
Placing the implant and allowing the bone to fuse with it will take some time. The entire procedure can take place over a few months. Placement and adjustment of the artificial teeth also may require more than one appointment.