Dental Implants: What You Should Know

Dental Implants are a wonderful option to consider for replacing missing teeth. Rather than resting on the gum line or using adjacent tooth as anchors, implants act as long-term replacements that your oral surgeon fixes into the jawbone. In this article, we will outline the idea and process behind dental implants.

For years, choices were fairly limited in regard to tooth replacement. Many people were forced to use a fixed bridge or removable dentures in order to regain the ability to eat, smile, and speak clearly. While these methods were technically effective, they were far from an ideal solution.

Composed of titanium metal that essentially fuses with the jawbone, these replacements never slip for make embarrassing noises, advertising the fact that you require false teeth. Bone loss is not a common problem and the decay rate is zero. In fact, many of the implants first placed in patients over twenty years ago are still operating at peak performance. If properly maintained, they have the ability to last a lifetime.

An implant designed to replace a single one is made up of three separate parts:
1. Titanium implant
2. Abutment – this fits over the portion of the tooth that protrudes through the gum line
3. Crown – fitted onto the abutment to create a natural appearance

Many people missing single teeth may opt for a fixed bridge. The downfall here is that a bridge may require the cutting down of healthy, adjacent teeth that may not need restoration down the road. In addition, there is the potential cost of replacement, as many bridges tend to wear out over a period of years. Likewise, adding a partial removal denture has been shown to contribute to the loss of adjacent teeth. Even worse, full dentures may even be the cause of bone loss.

With a success rate in the upper ninetieth percentile and over 50 years of research and study to defer to, prosthetics are more often then not, the best treatment for missing tooth available today!

Are You A Candidate?

Whether young, middle-ages or in your golden years; whether you're missing one tooth or all BUT one, there is an implant-related solution for you; the only exception being that of growing children.

If you are considering implants as an option, it's important to do your research. Ask around to friends and family to see if they can recommend a good surgical dentist. Check out reviews online and schedule a consultation with a physician that has experience dealing with the procedure. Ask questions and be prepared. The road to that perfect smile is but a few steps ahead.