Choosing To Have Dental Implant Surgery
In the past, there were few options for replacing missing teeth. Many of the available options were impractical, either for aesthetic or functional reasons. Dentures are the most popular option because they can easily fill-in the missing teeth. However, dental implants are becoming increasingly popular, especially for patients with only one missing tooth. These permanent solutions do not require maintenance, and can last many years, without the risk of decay.
Dental implants are composed of titanium metal. They are fused with the jawbone through bone grafts. Therefore,
they do not slip or make embarrassing noises that can advertise the fact that you have false teeth. One of the greatest benefits and advantages of dental implants over other options, such as dentures and bridges, is their strength and durability.
Although dentures are somewhat durable, they will need to be replaced at least once every five years. Furthermore, dentures have a tendency to slip, sometimes making it difficult to eat or speak. However, dental implants will require more time and money to achieve the more natural look you can expect with this type of tooth replacement.
Being fitted for dental implants is not a simple, one-size-fits-all procedure. Although there is no specific speciality that focuses on this type of work, there are certain guidelines and certification requirements for performing dental implant surgery. This will require several consultations with your dentist to get the right size implants because each one is specifically fitted to blend in with the existing teeth.
The actual dental implant surgery is an outpatient procedure that can be performed in the dentist's office under anesthesia. However, some patients may need a two-stage surgery to install their dental implants. In these instances, the first surgery involves making bone grafts and fitted with a healing abutment or “cover screw” which is integrated with the underlying bone. In the second surgery, the patient is fitted with the dental implant, which is attached to the healing abutment.
Dental implant surgery is typically successful and the success rate is around 95 percent. However, it is considered a failure if the implant is mobile, lost, or if the patient experiences significant bone loss. Many times the failure of the implant is caused by a failure to fuse with the bonegraft, or simply put, the body rejects the implant.
The failure of the implant is not always dependent on the dentist's skill. In fact, a rejection of the implant is more dependent on how the body reacts to this foreign object. The likelihood of a failure is also increased for smokers. This is because smoking restricts blood flow and raises blood pressure, both of which are factors in healing from any surgery. Although this option can be more expensive than dentures, it never hurts to consult with a dentist to see if dental implants would be both affordable and convenient.
