Dental Implants Are The Way To Go

There is an alternative to suffering the discomfort and embarrassment of missing teeth. There is no reason to continue to live with an unsightly gap or an unattractive smile when there is a whole world of cosmetic dentistry that can be done to improve this condition. One procedure, called dental implants, is even able to permanently replace a missing or damaged tooth. The secret is surgically installing them in the mouth rather than simply using the temporary and removable prosthetics of dentures or bridges.

For those who have lost a tooth it is easy to understand the discomfort that is associated with this problem. Not only is it emotionally uncomfortable to be forced to hide one's smile, but also it can cause physical discomfort. Whenever there are missing structures it is necessary for the remaining parts to compensate. That means increased pressure and wear on the teeth that are remaining. Dental implants will not only fill in the gap with an aesthetically pleasing replacement but they also offer the added benefit of offering great durability.

When considering how best to address the loss or destruction of a tooth it is best to speak with a specialized cosmetic dentist. They will be able to outline a course of treatment and also recommend options for remedying the problem. While dental implants are an amazing technology that offers unparalleled realism and function they are not suitable for every patient. They require the installation of a titanium or otherwise bio-neutral material to act as an anchor for the appliance. For those who do not have the requisite health in their jaw or gums it may be impossible to complete this critical first step.

For those who do qualify to have dental implants the process is not quick and can be sort of uncomfortable. First, any remaining tissue from the old teeth must be removed and healed. Then the actual anchor will be placed. This is usually made of titanium and is very gently drilled into the bone of the jaw. This is then left to heal for several months while the bone actually integrates with the metal. This leaves an incredibly secure and permanent anchor to which one or more crowns can be attached. It should be stressed that while there is not a clear consensus about how soon it is all right to install the crown, the general attitude is that the longer one can wait the better the result. This is because if the anchor has not fully integrated into the bone it can shift and cause damage that requires bone grafts and can make the whole process last significantly longer.