There are multiple oral restoration techniques including dental implants. Consider your options before you have a procedure performed.
When a patient needs oral restoration performed,
there are many techniques to choose from including dental implants. Some patients even need a full mouth restorative process performed which would include several procedures. There are a variety of issues that may have led to a breakdown of the oral structures of teeth, gums, jawbone and mouth. Some examples include:
- Tooth grinding: When individuals become stressed, many of them grind their teeth. This is especially common at night and can result in pain and erosion.
- Acid reflux: Acid that the human body uses for digestion can be quite erosive to the teeth and sensitive tissues in the throat and mouth. It can erode and severely damage surface enamel.
- Eating problematic foods or beverages: Some foods and beverages are harmful including sweet and sugary liquids, sticky sweets and those that break or crack enamel. Babies sucking on bottles as they sleep are prone to "bottle mouth" which is a form of this.
- Accident or injury: Car accidents, athletic events and physical assaults can all lead to tooth loss and mouth deformities.
- Decay: If dental decay and disease aren't treated, lost structures and gingivitis can result.
- Smoking: Smoking can lead to bone loss in the jaw and damaged oral structures.
- Misalignment leading to extreme discomfort: An improper bite can lead to jaw pain, headaches and other problems.
- Missing teeth: When a person is missing one or more oral structures, this causes the surrounding areas to collapse inward.
There are a variety of helpful techniques to rebuild and reconstruct teeth and jawbone including:
- Dental implants: Instead of using dentures or bridges, a revolutionary method for tooth replacement is dental implants. These are very natural looking prosthetics that are attached to the jawbone with a titanium screw. This process takes several months to carry out. In the initial stages, a small hole is drilled. A titanium screw is inserted in the hole and an abutment is placed. An abutment is the portion of the apparatus that will be connected to the covering or crown. A process called osseointegration will take place meaning that the bone will actually grow over the implant, creating a strong attachment.
- Bone grafts: If there isn't sufficient jawbone for this procedure, the DDS will have to perform bone grafts to increase bone quality and strength.
- Gum planing: If gums are diseased or problematic, a periodontist, who is a dentist specializing in gum disease, will need to address the issue. Surgery or planing may be the recommended treatment.
- Crowns: Crowns may be placed over weak or damaged teeth in an effort to stabilize and reinforce them. These devices will be designed to align with a patient's enamel color.
A patient's smile is an important part of his or her appearance and oral health. If teeth, gums and jawbone are not in good repair, this can lead to further breakdown of surrounding structures. Without adequate chewing ability, malnutrition and other health ills can occur. Dental implants are some of the ways that dental specialists can restore a person's smile.
