Since the early 1960s, dental implants have been used to replace missing teeth. This medical procedure has become even more popular and widespread nowadays as as crown support for bridges and dentures grow in demand.
Implants are made out of titanium, a metal that can bond with adjacent bone healing. It is also very compatible with body tissues and is safe to use as teeth-replacements. Many studies and clinical experiments also showed that titanium is the best metal to use as it fuses around the jawbone that serves as the base for the replacement tooth.
According to the Academy of General Dentistry, dental implants are “tooth roots” artificially placed in your gums to support crowns, bridges, dentures and other dental prostheses. It is also deemed presently as the best and only long-term choice for tooth replacement. The question now is, are dental implants right for you?
Prior to this procedure, you will need to submit yourself to some oral and dental examination to determine if you are a good candidate for this operation. The dentist will assess how much bone volume and density you have in the area where the tooth is missing. That is a vital process as the implant will need sufficient bone structure to support the metal that will get inserted in it.
Here are more facts you must know before getting started.
Dental Implants Have A High Success Rate
A significant factor in the success rate of dental implant procedures depends on the patient’s dental health. Documented research and clinical studies state that the success rate of dental implants is over 95%, this includes the areas of the jaw where there is low bone density. Once a dentist integrates an implant, this can last a lifetime.
Dental Implants Look and Feel Natural
According to the patients, the only difference between their real teeth and their implant is that their implants are artificial. As they are customized to feel, look and fit like an authentic tooth, you will not notice that it is even there.
These are all credited to the fact that the implant is fused to the bone. Furthermore, specialist takes the extra time and effort to design your crown to ensure that it looks incredibly similar to the rest of your teeth.
Implants Allow You To Eat Easier
There are other dental procedures to address tooth loss. However, only dental implants can enable you to enjoy chewing your food like you used to. You do not need to take extra precaution or care when eating; just chew like you used to.
Unlike traditional dentures that often slide and make it difficult for you to bite and even nibble, dental implants act and serve as your natural teeth. This allows you to enjoy any food at any time of the day without the sensation of sensitivity or pain.
Implants Do Not Require Extensive After Care
Apart from the regular brushing and flossing, implants do not require any specialized attention. The only real concern one might have is when they apply too much pressure on it during teeth grinding habits or jaw clenching.
If you have these problems, talk to your dentist about it as there are remedies and solutions for these issues. An example of it is wearing a nightguard when you sleep.
Do not forget to get your teeth professionally cleaned every three to four months as well. This keeps your teeth and gums healthy. It is also an opportunity for your dentist to exam your implants and makes sure it remains healthy.
What causes dental implants to fail?
There are general health influences that cause dental implants to fail. One example is uncontrolled diabetes. People with diabetes experience problems in tissue healing. In turn, it affects the osseointegration process of the implant. It means that the fusing of the implant to your jaw is continuously disrupted.
Drugs taken by patients with osteoporosis can also compromise healing of the bones, and the condition itself directly affects the patient’s bone density. As a result, the implants may not be able to handle the stresses associated with chewing or biting firmly.
Another reason for an implant to fail is when you pay no heed to remove food particles. This causes plaque formations to start and eventually affect the implant by causing the bacterial infection known as peri-implantitis, which destroys your jaw bone and loosens the implant.
It is the dental specialist who places the implants. If you do not know any practitioner that is specially trained for implantology, you can always ask your family dentist for a referral. He or she can forward you to a periodontist or another general dentist who have undertaken specialized education and training for this field of practice.