Dental Implants - A Preferred Dental Treatment

Dental implants are a great option for individuals who have experience too loss as a result of root canal failure, congenital defects, excessive wear and tear, trauma of the mouth , gum disease, or tooth decay. Research has indicated that the success rate of today’s implant procedures is as high as 98% with minimal to no discernable bone loss. The reason today's dental implants are so indistinguishable from other teeth is due to the functional and structural connection between living bone and the dental implant.

A process known as osseintegration occurs when the dental implant anchors to the jaw bone. The osseintegration portion of the implant procedure can take between 3 to six months to anchor and heal. However, the timeframe for the total completion process will depend on treatments and individual cases. Through a consultation with a knowledgeable dentist, you will learn the importance of follow-up appointments and how they are extremely essential for monitoring the progress of this procedure.

In most cases, a dental implant procedure can last a lifetime, and now many are opting to have this procedure done as opposed to the old-fashion fixed bridges. One of the biggest reasons dental implants are chosen more often today than fixed bridges is due to the cost. On average, the cost of an implant treatment is as much as getting bridge work done. Another benefit of getting implant versus a fixed bridge is in the long run, getting a single implant can be easier to keep clean and more esthetic. Additional reasons to choose implants vs. a bridge include:

- With a bridge, you have to cut down adjacent teeth even when the teeth are absolutely healthy and with implants, teeth that don’t need treatment will not be affected.

- Some bone that has previously surrounded a tooth when bridge work is done may start to deteriorate; however, an implant integrates with the jawbone and helps to keep the bone intact and healthy.

Individuals who are denture wearers will be glad to know dentures can currently be supported by dental implants through something called overdenture (implant supported denture). Missing teeth are a cause of bone loss in the mouth and make denture fitting very difficult and in some cases even impossible. There are a host of benefits of an implant procedure, one of which is it provides a way to help stop the shrinkage and bone loss of a jawbone by acting as the roots of natural teeth. Another benefit of having a dental implant as opposed to dentures is that most often, dentures can cover the entire area of the upper mouth and decreases the ability to taste foods. When using implants instead of dentures, the palate is taken away from the upper portion of the denture, providing individuals with an increase in enjoyment and the taste of food.

Call and schedule an appointment with a qualified dentist and learn if you are a candidate dental implant surgery. Your dentist will discuss the procedure with you; whether you are a good candidate, options available to you if you are not, surgery follow-up care information, risks, and benefits of dental implants. When you put your dental care in the right hands, you can tooth restorations that are safe, reliable, and natural and that produce a beautiful smile.