THE WHAT AND HOW OF DENTAL IMPLANTS
If tooth decay or gum disease has gotten bad enough, you may need to have your tooth extracted. Accidents also sometimes occur, which can cause severe damage to a tooth or teeth. This damage may lead to the tooth or teeth falling out, or needing to be pulled. Whatever the situation may be, if one or more teeth are missing, it’s important to have them replaced. One of the best tooth replacement options is dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are dental appliances that consist of a titanium rod or rods that are installed into the jawbone to place a false tooth or set of teeth. If a patient has multiple missing teeth, they may have multiple implants placed or they may have an implant-supported bridge placed.
Why Implants?
There are a few different options to replace a tooth or teeth, but implants are one of the best. This is because implants offer strength and support that is far beyond other replacement options. Their durability allows them to last for long periods of time, and allows the patient to bite and chew much like they did with their original teeth.
Implants are also an excellent cosmetic choice—as they can be made to look like the tooth that is being replaced. Implants are often unnoticeable, as they fit in well with the rest of a patient’s smile.
Finally, implants help to maintain a patient’s oral health. When a tooth or teeth are missing, there are a few oral health issues that may occur. These issues can cause irreparable damage. Because of this, it is extremely important to replace any tooth or teeth that are missing as soon as possible. If they are not replaced, the following oral health issues may occur:
- Teeth Migration
- Impacted Teeth
- Gum Disease
- Tooth Decay
- Bone Loss in the Jaw
Having a missing tooth or teeth is not simply a cosmetic problem. Instead, it can lead to massive oral health ailments. Make sure to replace a missing tooth or teeth as soon as possible.
The Implant Placement Process
The placement process of dental implants can take some time, but it is well worth it. The first step is to visit your dentist for a consultation. From there, they will decide whether or not you are a good candidate for dental implants. If they decide that you are, they will implant a titanium rod to hold the tooth in place. The rod will be allowed to heal and fuse with the bone. Once you have healed and the rod is in place, your dentist will cut open your gums and place an abutment.
Finally, the replacement tooth will be placed. If there are multiple teeth, the procedure is similar.
Are Implants Right for Me?
Not all patients are good candidates for dental implants. During your consultation, your dentist will look at your jawbone and see if it can hold the rod in place. If not, you may need to consider other replacement options.
Speak with your dentist about whether implants are right for you.
Interested in learning more about Drs. Leal, Spangler, and Johnson and their dental implant process? Call today and setup your consultation.
Just looking for more information about dental implants in general? Here's reading on the benefits of dental implants.