Tooth loss is still a standard affair despite the advancements made in dentistry to save the teeth. Teeth are mainly lost due to reasons like decay, trauma and gum diseases. The replacements for tooth were earlier only available dentures and bridges. Today dentistry has provided people with a better solution, dental implants.
Dental Implants |
Dental implants can be the best option for you if you have been using dentures and they feel uncomfortable or if bridges cannot be placed in your mouth due to lack of tooth support or if you're aiming to get rid of the self-consciousness that your smile gives you.
Dental implants not only blend in with the appearance of the rest of your teeth but also gives excellent comfort and promises a long-term durability. Implants are known to be one of the best advancements in the last four decades. Let's understand what a dental implant is.
What is a dental implant?
Per-Ingvar Branemark is a Swedish orthopedic surgeon who invented the dental implants in 1952. A dental implant is a surgical fixture or component that is placed into the jawbone and acts as an orthodontic anchor for supporting crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Dentures can be called as artificial roots or replacement of roots. Implants mainly consist of a titanium post that is placed in your bone surgically below the gum line and fused with the jawbone by a process called Osseointegration. Titanium is a choice of material for dentures as they can integrate into the body without causing problems to the surrounding bone or the body.
Dental implants are fixed in your jaw, so they do not come off like partial or removable dentures do. They even help you maintain a good oral hygiene that makes it a better option than dentures.
Dental implants have two types that are recognized by the American Dental Association:
- Endosteal Implants: These implants are first inserted into the jawbone, and after the healing of gum tissues is done, the original implant is placed through a second surgery. Then an artificial tooth is set on it.
- Subperiosteal Implants: Frames are attached to the jawbone, into which the posts are attached. The artificial teeth are then mounted on them.
How is it done?
Spokane Dentist, Dr. Brady Bates recommends his patients to look for an excellent general dentist or dental surgeon or periodontist who has good experience in implants placements. The procedure mainly involves:
- Examination: The dentist will take X-rays, panoramic films, and CT scans to study the site of the mouth to be treated. The quality of the jawbone is also assessed to determine if the bone is enough to hold the implant. The dentist will call you for a few surgical appointments followed by the examination.
- Local anesthesia: The procedure is initiated with the application of a local anesthetic solution in the site of the implant to numb the tissues. Use of sedatives can also be done for controlling the anxiety and relaxing the patient.
- Reflection: The site of surgery is accessed by placing an incision of the gums and reflecting them. In case of flapless surgery, access is gained by only punching a hole in the gums.
- Bone removal: The next step is to remove the bone by drilling through a bone using a drill at a controlled speed so that the bone is not necrosed or burnt.
- Implant placement: The screw is inserted into the bone and fixed into place using a wrench.
- The success of an implant highly depends upon a process known as Osseointegration. In this process, the bone grows around the implant increasing its strength and durability. The dentist will ask you to wait for at least 3 to 6 months for the integration process to be completed.
- Crown: Once the integration is done, the artificial teeth will be placed. The dentist will customize a tooth according to the size and color of the other teeth in your dentition. It is ensured that the artificial tooth fits and blends in with other teeth.
- Tissue growth: A healthy band of tissue should grow around the implant so that it is buried or sealed completely.
Related Article: Affordable Dental Treatment
Technology and science have become advanced enough to improve the outcomes of the dental implant procedure. The success rate for this treatment today is almost 98%. If you feel that you are in need of a dental implant contact your dentist and discuss with him/her about the process that will revitalize your smile!
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_implant
- http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/i/implants
- http://www.batesdental.com/education/dental-implants
Great Article..! Thank you for sharing the article about Dental Implants A Guide To Revitalize Your Smile.Enjoyed reading the article.
ReplyDeleteDentist Bakersfield CA
Thanks for sharing this informative information with us on dental implants and improving your smile. This was a really well put together article with lots of details. Have a fantastic rest of your day.
ReplyDeleteDentist Philadelphia
How to take good care of for your teeth and gums?
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