A natural tooth is anchored into the jawbone by its
tooth root. Tooth roots attach firmly to the jawbone and keep your
teeth stable when chewing solid foods.
Traditionally, if you were missing a tooth (or one
needed to be extracted), the healthy teeth on either side of the
missing tooth would be cut down and the whole thing replaced with
a three-crown “bridge”.
Dental implants are the modern alternative. Instead
of cutting down two perfectly good teeth, a dental post (dental implant)
is inserted into the jawbone to replace your missing tooth root.
This post becomes solidly fixed in your jaw (like a natural
tooth root). Your general dentist then places a crown onto this artificial
tooth root that looks, feels, and functions like your natural teeth.
Quite simply, dental implants are the most natural
replacement for missing teeth.
Traditionally, several missing teeth would have been
replaced with a removable partial or full denture.
Dentures have to be taken out and soaked at night.
During the day, they can also look unnatural and rub painfully. Dentures
and partials make it difficult or impossible to eat certain foods.
Dental implants can now be used to anchor partial and
full dentures.
This prevents the slipping, irritation, and pain associated with “floating” partials
and dentures. It also prevents the tedious removal of dentures for overnight
soaking and cleaning. With dental implants, these restorations are anchored
firmly into the jawbone becoming much more like natural teeth.
Natural tooth roots and dental implant posts are fixed
firmly in your jawbone. When you chew, these tooth roots and posts
stimulate the jawbone and prevent it from shrinking. You may have
seen a person who looked prematurely old because their jawbone had
shrunk after wearing floating dentures. Dental implants help preserve
your jawbone and appearance.
After their healing period, the success rate of dental
implants is between 94% and 98%. If you are a non-smoker with good
oral hygiene, the percentage is closer to 98%.
Placing a dental implant is usually like getting a
cavity filled. It is often done under local anesthesia and patients
generally experience little discomfort after the procedure.
Dental implants become fixed to the jawbone. Dental
implants have been in patient’s mouths for over 30 years. With
good oral hygiene and regular cleanings, Dental implants should
last a lifetime. In contrast, the average life span of a traditional
fixed bridge is between 10-15 years.
Dental implant treatment begins with an evaluation
by your general dentist who will determine if you are a good candidate
for this procedure. If he feels dental implants might be possible,
he will send you to a periodontist for a placement evaluation.
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