Understanding Dental Implants
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Generally speaking, if you have lost a tooth, you are a good candidate for dental implants. Given you don’t have any medical history of diseases such as uncontrolled diabetes, periodontal gum, cancer radiation to the jaws, smoking and alcoholism.
If you are considering dental implants, ensure you discuss all your past and present medical history with your dentist. Dental implants require a detailed assessment of the overall stomato-gnathic system. It will necessitate compiling the records that include study models of your mouth and bite, which include 3D scans and specialized radiographs(X-rays). If you are in the area, we would recommend going to this popular Dentist in Freeburg for dental implants, remember to bring your dental records too!
Why do missing teeth cause bone loss?
Apart from chewing, the teeth have a lot of functions, such as helping to maintain the health and integrity of the bone. When you chew, the teeth stimulate the bone. The stimulation prompts the brain to send essential nutrition that is needed for the health of your jaw. When you miss the tooth, the nutrition allocation for the jaw gets lessened. As a result of the resorption of the jaw, it decreases in mass, width and height. These changes lead to significant aesthetic problems for the patients, particularly in people who have lost all of their teeth. If you would like to know more about causes for missing teeth schedule your appointment with the nearest dental clinic.
How can bone be preserved or re-grow to support dental Implants?
Bone graft surgery is a treatment that replaces the lost tissue by stimulating the body’s natural ability to re-grow the lost tissue.
Bone resorption is a natural and inevitable process. It happens because of missing teeth. The only solution to prevent bone resorption is dental implants. Dental Implants prevent further bone loss because they fuss at the bone. Only dental implants can stop the process of bone resorption
How are dental implants placed & who places them?
The dental implants team consists of an oral surgeon and dental technician who fabricate the cases. The treatments start with an initial consultation and assessment of crown, bridgework and dentures.
Placing dental implants requires a surgical procedure in which precision channels are created in the jawbone, often using a surgical guide.
Benefits of dental implants:
- The success rate of implants is over 97%
- Minimal maintenance and high endurance
- Dental implants are the only solution for bone losses
- It looks and feels like a natural tooth
- It provides the best aesthetics results
- It is cost-effective in the long run due to the life span of the treatment
- Improved oral health: dental implants don’t require alteration on existing teeth. This way, your natural teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health.
The disadvantage of Dental Implants:
- surgical procedure is required to insert the implants
- Dental Implants can get expensive depending on the number of missing teeth
- It takes a longer time
What is the tooth replacement options for missing teeth?
All-on-four Implant-Supported Dentures
The all-on-four-supported dentures support full-arch lower dentures with the four implants. With this treatment, the two implants are inserted at the front arch in the position occupied by your natural teeth. The remaining two implants will be placed at a 45-degree angle tilting towards the back of the mouth.
Implant-supported bridges
An implant-supported bridge is an ideal solution for missing multiple teeth. The process of missing every missing tooth with implants can be expensive and unnecessary. With an implant-supported bridge, you need only two implants. The teeth in the middle of the places are held without any screwing.
Pros of implant-supported bridges
- Cost-effective compared to placing dental implants for every missing tooth
- The Implant-supported bridges are equally effective as dental implant
- It looks natural
Cons of tooth-supported bridges
- It can damage the adjoining teeth if the bridge is fitted poorly
- Dental hygiene with a bridge can be very tricky as food particles can slip underneath the bridge and become difficult to clean
Removable partial dentures
Partial dentures are a comparatively easy solution for missing teeth. Usually, partial dentures are recommended for people with a few missing teeth.
Summary
Dental Implants are the best solution for missing teeth. However, the treatment can be expensive. Dentures and Bridges are an alternative for implants. Implant-supported bridges are not only lesser expensive but also function like dental implants.
