Dental Implants

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are fairly new and conservative procedures in replacing one or several missing teeth. The dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically anchored into the jaw bone where it is left to heal for 3-4 months. After healing, a fabricated crown is placed over the implant. The crown used over the implant is a specifically made dental crown used only for the attachment to an implant. This artificial tooth or teeth is then cemented over the implant, as illustrated by the diagram below. The abutment holds the crown to the implant. The implant acts as the root for the artificial tooth or teeth. A single tooth or several teeth are mounted over the implant and feel like natural teeth. The crown attached to the implant is made mostly from porcelain.

Implants – best new solution for a missing tooth

Implants are the best option for replacing a missing tooth in today’s dental standards. It is the least invasive approach to replacing a tooth.  The conservative nature of implants is in comparison to dental bridges for replacing teeth. Although bridges or dentures might be the best approach for some patients in replacing teeth, good candidates for implants can appreciate and take full advantage of this innovative procedure. In order to replace teeth with a bridge, the adjacent teeth are used for retention. With implants your adjacent teeth stay intact and your jaw bone acts as the retentive feature for the replacement tooth or teeth.

Implants can also be used to support a denture which is called an overdenture. Implants, usually a minimum of two, are placed into the jaw bone and a metal bar connects the two. The overdenture then clips onto this bar. The overdenture is removable but hold in place as secure as natural teeth. Implants to support an overdenture are planned for cases where original bone coverage is insufficient for conventional dentures.

Candidates for Dental Implants

To receive implants, patients need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the anchorage of the implants. Not only do you need these supportive structures for implants, but you must maintain these structures. Good oral hygiene is essential and critical for maintaining the longevity of implants. Also regular dental visits will increase the success rate of your dental implants. The key to success is regular check-ups at the dental office and good at-home care. Your dentist provide instructions for maintenance.