WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

Dental implants are replacement tooth roots. In turn, this “artificial tooth root” serves to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Having a dental implant fused to the jawbone is the closest thing to mimicking a natural tooth because it stands on its own without affecting the nearby teeth and has great stability. The process of fusion between the dental implant and jawbone is called “osseointegration.”

WHY DENTAL IMPLANTS?

• Bone loss-

When missing teeth, the bone beneath sinks. It occurs when there is no longer an active tooth root in place. This can be very serious and get worse with time. In fact, most of the bone loss occurs within the first 6-12 months after the loss of a tooth. As a result, you could lose even more teeth if you leave it untreated.

• Shifting teeth-

This is when your neighboring natural teeth move to close the gap created by your missing teeth. This can make your teeth crooked, and also make it harder to clean in between your teeth. Shifting teeth can also cause bite problems, destabilize the roots of the adjacent teeth, and be painful.

• Speech difficulties-

Missing teeth can lead to speech impairments. This impacts on social interactions and an individual’s self-confidence.

• Chewing problems-

Your chewing ability can also be negatively impacted when you are missing teeth. It is not only painful but missing teeth can also cause you to be unable to eat certain foods and break down food properly. This affects your nutrition intake, your enjoyment of eating, and your digestion.

• Poor nutrition and health-

Over time people with missing teeth or poor prostheses have been shown to be more prone to become overweight and experience poor nutrition habits. In part, this is due to impaired chewing abilities, making one favor unhealthy foods that are easy to chew. In addition, people with missing teeth often experience social discomfort and do not want to expose themselves in public, making them less likely to go out and do sports

• Change of facial structure-

Without teeth to support your face and mouth, your skin might start to sag, and your facial harmony may be affected. When bone resorption is severe, lips even tend to fall into the mouth. This changes a person’s appearance and makes them look older than they really are. This also has a negative impact on self-confidence.

• Compromised mental health-

People with missing teeth tend to cover their mouths when they smile or avoid smiling altogether. They may feel embarrassed and experience a sense of social discomfort due to their missing teeth. This can lead to progressive social isolation, anxiety, and even depression.

DENTAL IMPLANT VS. BRIDGE:

Dental bridge pros

• doesn’t require bone grafting
• usually lower upfront cost
• usually requires only two visits to your dentist spread over a couple of weeks

Dental bridge cons

• Has to be replaced about every 5 to 7 years (although can last more than 10 years)
• Loses a natural-looking appearance with age
• More cavities and tooth decay in surrounding teeth than with implants
• Can damage the healthy teeth around the missing tooth

Dental implant pros

• can last 15 years Trusted Source or more and are the longest lasting option on the market
• retain natural-looking appearance longer than bridges
• don’t damage the healthy teeth around the implant
• very high 10-year success rate, around 97 percent

ADVANTAGES OF DENTAL IMPLANTS

• Look & Function Like A Natural Tooth
• Keep Adjacent Teeth Stable
• Prevent Change In Face Shape
• No Speech Impediment
• Prevents Gum Disease
• Prevent Bone Loss

DENTAL IMPLANT PROCEDURE:

• Pre-Operative Planning
• Bone Grafting
• Anesthesia
• Dental Implant Procedure (Placement Surgery)
• Healing Time (Osseointegration)
• Placing the Abutment
• Dental Prosthesis

FAQ’s: