Dental Implants
Dental Implants are artificial substitutes for natural tooth-roots. When teeth are lost, implants are used to anchor artificial teeth to the underlying jawbone and hence closely mimic the natural dentition. They make it possible for people who cannot or will not wear a conventional denture to have very firm, stable and attractive teeth. It is usually made of titanium which is a biocompatible material i.e. our body accepts the metal comfortably and does not reject it. Titanium has a well-documented track record of more than 40 years. Implants can replace one or more or all teeth. It is an alternative to conventional techniques such as bridges to replace missing teeth.
It is an advanced medical technology for the treatment of tooth loss. A titanium implant is implanted in the toothless area of the jawbone. The jawbone fuses with the titanium surface providing a strong anchorage for the implant. The implant functions as a support for the dental prosthesis constructed over it.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- It can treat cases untreatable with conventional methods of dental bridges and dentures.
- It prevents further resorption of the jaw bone following tooth loss.
- It can perfectly restore chewing function.
- It avoids cutting down and overloading the natural teeth occurring with conventional means of replacing tooth loss.
- It helps restore a patient’s self-esteem and confidence since it gives the feeling of regaining the real teeth.
- It functions better than conventional dental bridges and dentures.
- It gives superior aesthetic results.
Advantages of Dental Implants over Dentures or a Bridge
Every way you look at it, dental implants are a better solution to the problem of missing teeth.
- Replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth.
- Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.
- Provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.
Esthetic
Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth! Since dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often accompany bridgework and dentures. No one will ever know that you have a replacement tooth.
Tooth-saving
Dental implants don’t sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth like a bridge does because neighboring teeth are not altered to support the implant. More of your own teeth are left untouched, a significant long-term benefit to your oral health!
Confidence
Dental implants will allow you to once again speak and eat with comfort and confidence! They are secure and offer freedom from the irksome clicks and wobbles of dentures. They’ll allow you to say goodbye to worries about misplaced dentures and messy pastes and glues.
Reliable
The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable. They are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement.
Treatment options with Implants
A dental implant is a replacement of a tooth root constructed of titanium placed in bone, so as to support an artificial crown. Because they are designed to fuse with bone, they are extremely stable and strong. They look and feel like your own teeth.
Time schedule
1 sitting: 30 mins for implant placement
Replacement of Single Tooth
If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and a crown can replace it.
Replacement of Several Teeth
If you are missing several teeth, implant-supported bridges can replace them.
Replacement of All Teeth
If you are missing all of your teeth, an implant-supported full bridge or full denture can replace them.
What Can I Expect After Treatment?
As you know, your own teeth require conscientious at-home oral care and regular dental visits. Dental implants are like your own teeth and will require the same care. In order to keep your implant clean and plaque-free, brushing and flossing still apply!
After treatment, your oral implantologist will work closely with you and your dentist to develop the best care plan for you. Periodic follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your implant, teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy.
Frequently Asked Question
Why do people switch to implants from dentures?
Though dentures are a great solution to replace missing teeth, they won’t give a natural feel like implants. Also, Implants are fixed into the jaw perfectly and eliminate the need for adhesives.
Which is the best suitable age to have Dental Implants?
Dental implants are suitable for adults of any age. Implants are not suggested for people under 18 as their jaw is still growing, and also bone tissue has not fully developed.
How successful are implants?
Worldwide, millions of patients are having their dental implants. Statistics have confirmed a success rate of 95%.
Are dental implants treatment painful?
Local anesthesia is given to numb the mouth while the implants are fitted, so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. After the procedure, you may feel slight pain and discomfort, but this is normal and disappears quickly.
How long does the procedure take?
This is based on the complexity of the case. A single dental implant is usually fitted approximately in an hour. Depending on the amount of extra work required, such as bone grafting or gum contouring, time may vary.
