Despite the advances in dental care, millions of Americans are still losing teeth, mostly because of tooth decay, gum disease, or injury. Though traditionally, the most common treatments for missing teeth were bridges and dentures, dental implants are more modern options for the replacement of teeth nowadays.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements that are put in place for tooth roots. They are strong and durable foundations that offer permanently cemented or removable replacement teeth, both looking and feeling like your natural teeth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
There are several benefits associated with dental implants, including:
- Improved Appearance: They look and feel just like your real teeth and are created to bond with your bone, so they will not shift around in your mouth the way dentures do.
- Improved Speech: You will be able to speak with renewed confidence because dental implants will not cause mumbling or slurring the way poorly fitted dentures may.
- Increased Comfort: Because dental implants become a part of your mouth, the pain associated with removable dentures is gone.
- Easier Eating: Dental implants work just like your natural teeth. You will be able to eat your favorite foods without pain or difficulty.
- Convenience: Dental implants eliminate the hassle of removable dentures and the adhesives that can be quite messy.
- Boosted Self-Esteem: Dental implants can restore your smile, which can restore your confidence.
- Long-Lasting: If cared for properly, dental implants are incredibly durable and can even last a lifetime.
- Better Oral Health: Unlike tooth-supported bridges, dental implants do not require the altering of your other teeth. They also offer better oral hygiene since you will be able to brush your teeth as you would normally, with easier access between your teeth.
Success Rate of Dental Implants
The success rate of dental implants depends on where in the jaw the implants are placed, but overall they have up to a 98% success rate. If you take good care of your implants, they will most likely last a lifetime.
Who Can Get Dental Implants?
Candidates for dental implants are generally individuals who are healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery. Healthy gums and enough bone are required to hold the implant. Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are very important. People who are heavy smokers, have uncontrolled chronic disorders like diabetes or heart disease, or who have had radiation therapy to the head or neck will need to be evaluated on an individual basis. Ask your dentist whether you are a candidate for implants.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Getting a dental implant requires a number of procedures:
- Personalized Treatment Plan: Is customized to meet your specific needs by a trained team of oral surgeons and restorative dentists.
- Implant Placement: A small titanium post (the implant) is surgically placed into the empty socket of the tooth. As the jawbone heals, it will grow around the implanted post, holding it firmly in place. This healing process may take anywhere from 6-12 weeks.
- Abutment Placement: Once the implant has successfully integrated with the jawbone, an abutment (a small connector post) is attached to connect the new tooth.
- New Teeth: Impressions of your teeth are taken to create a model for your new tooth or teeth. A crown (an artificial tooth) is then attached to the abutment. In some cases, attachments on the implant will support a removable denture as opposed to individual crowns.
- Natural Appearance: The dentist will ensure that the color of your new teeth is matched as closely as possible to your natural teeth. As the dental implant is secured to your jaw, it looks, feels, and functions like your natural teeth.
Pain and Discomfort
Most patients report that there is very little discomfort during the procedure and the procedure can be completed under local anesthesia in the area where the implant will be placed. Post-procedure soreness can, in most cases, be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or Motrin.