Dental implants are metallic artificial tooth roots designed to hold artificial teeth in place. They are designed to provide the ideal solution for missing teeth. Missing teeth do not only cause aesthetic and functionality problems, but may also affect confidence, self esteem and the quality of life. A dental implant can also provide the best alternative to removable prosthesis.
Types of Dental Implants
There are a variety of dental implants to choose from. However, there are basically two types to choose from:
– The more common of the two is the Endosseous (root-form) dental implant, which is embedded into the jawbone. It is made out of metal and comes in a threaded cylindrical form to allow bone integration.
– The second type is called the Subperiostal dental implant, which is designed to be fitted onto the bone. This is usually used in patients who have severe loss of bone mass to support an Endosseous dental implant.
Why People Choose To Have A Dental Implant
The usual choice for people with missing teeth is to go for removable dentures. Although this may be the fastest and most affordable option for some, it can be inconvenient in the long run. The use of dentures for the first time really affects speech. It also causes discomfort during eating. Even if a person has become used to using dentures, the removable prosthesis may have a possibility to fall off. These inconveniences can be eliminated by using dental implants instead.
The popularity of Endosseous dental implants is due to its firm attachment to the bone. It can stay in this state for many long years and maintenance is quite easy. In certain cases where there is a substantial deterioration of bone cells in the jaw, specialists can perform bone grafting to encourage the growth of bone tissue. As soon as the bone structure improves, a dental implant specialist can proceed with the Endosseous or root-form implantation.
The Benefits of Using Dental Implants
Enhanced Aesthetics — If a tooth is missing, it can affect a person’s smile. The dental implants can definitely help close the gaps in between the teeth and make a person smile better. Teeth gaps may also cause sagging in the facial tissues. As long as the gaps are filled, a person can look a lot younger.
Increased Confidence — People who have lots of teeth missing usually do not smile in public and may not want to meet up with people often because of their appearance. Dental Implants can definitely increase a person’s confidence by providing a better smile.
Prevents Jaw Bone Deterioration — The jawbone can start to deteriorate as a result of missing teeth. When the every gap in the bone is replaced with a dental implant as soon as possible, it can stay in better condition for longer periods of time.
Improves Functionality — Dental implants do not only help in the eating and chewing processes, but may also improve speech as well. People with gaps in their teeth usually do not speak as clearly as they should. As soon as the gaps are filled with dental implants, enunciation and pronunciation can be improved.
Alternatives
Not all people can have an Endosseous dental implant because there are several factors that have to be considered. Some of the most common factors include bone health and quality, smoking habits, oral hygiene, number of teeth missing, and the like. Nonetheless, there are certain alternatives.
People who have no teeth left can use complete dentures. They may also opt to have dental implants to secure their dentures firmly in place. People who have some teeth left may opt to go for a dental implant to support crowns and bridges.
If bone loss does not allow a dental implant to be installed, then surgeons may recommend bone grafting procedures. Bone cells are used to augment the area to be used for the dental implant. The procedure only takes an hour or more, but it may take months before the jawbone can become suitable for implantation.