If you’ve lost one or more teeth, you may be looking for an effective way to replace them. One of the most popular and successful options is Bridge Street Dentist Aberdeen and dental implants. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about dental implants, including what they are, how they work, and whether they’re right for you.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed into the jawbone. They are typically made of titanium or other biocompatible materials and serve as a foundation for a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants can replace one or more missing teeth and provide a long-term solution for tooth loss.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants work by fusing with the jawbone, which provides a stable base for the replacement tooth or bridge. The process of fusing the implant to the jawbone is called osseointegration, and it typically takes several months to complete.
Once the implant has fused with the jawbone, a connector called an abutment is placed on top of the implant. The abutment serves as a connection between the implant and the replacement tooth or bridge.
Finally, the replacement tooth or bridge is attached to the abutment. The replacement tooth or bridge is custom-made to match your natural teeth and is designed to look and function just like a natural tooth.
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
Dental implants are a good option for many people, but they’re not right for everyone. To be a candidate for dental implants, you need to have good oral health and sufficient jawbone density to support the implant.
If you have gum disease or other dental problems, you may need to address those issues before getting dental implants. Additionally, if you’ve experienced bone loss in your jaw, you may need a bone graft before getting dental implants.
To determine if dental implants are right for you, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with a dental implant specialist. During the consultation, the specialist will evaluate your oral health and jawbone density and discuss your options with you.
Benefits of Dental Implants
There are several benefits of dental implants, including:
Improved Appearance: Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, which can improve your appearance and boost your confidence.
Improved Speech: Missing teeth can affect your speech. Dental implants can help you speak more clearly and confidently.
Improved Comfort: Dental implants are more comfortable than dentures and other types of tooth replacement options. They don’t slip or move around in your mouth like dentures can.
Improved Function: Dental implants function like natural teeth, which means you can eat your favorite foods without any restrictions.
Improved Oral Health: Dental implants don’t require any special care or maintenance. You can brush and floss them just like your natural teeth, which can help improve your oral health.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that provide a permanent base for fixed or removable replacement teeth. They are the most popular and effective long-term solution for people who suffer from missing teeth, failing teeth or chronic dental problems.
The implant itself is a titanium screw that is surgically placed into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone and acts as a replacement for the root of the missing tooth. Once the implant is securely in place, a prosthetic tooth is attached to it, which looks and functions just like a natural tooth.
Here is a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about dental implants:
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
To be a good candidate for dental implants, you need to have healthy gums and enough bone density to support the implant. You should also be committed to taking care of your oral health and be willing to follow the post-operative instructions of your dentist.
Your dentist will evaluate your oral health and take X-rays to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for dental implants. If you are not eligible for dental implants due to insufficient bone density, your dentist may recommend a bone grafting procedure to build up the bone in your jaw.
The Dental Implant Procedure
The dental implant procedure is typically done in several stages, with each stage requiring a few months of healing time before the next stage can begin. Here is a step-by-step overview of the dental implant procedure:
Initial Consultation: Your dentist will evaluate your oral health and take X-rays to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for dental implants.
Implant Placement: In this stage, the titanium screw is surgically placed into the jawbone. The area is then left to heal for several months while the implant fuses with the bone.
Abutment Placement: Once the implant has fused with the bone, a small connector called an abutment is attached to the implant. This connector will hold the prosthetic tooth in place.
Prosthetic Tooth Placement: The prosthetic tooth is attached to the abutment, completing the dental implant procedure.
Types of Dental Implants
There are two main types of dental implants: endosteal implants and subperiosteal implants.
Endosteal Implants: Endosteal implants are the most common type of dental implant. They are made of titanium and are surgically placed into the jawbone. Once the implant has fused with the bone, a prosthetic tooth is attached to the implant.
Subperiosteal Implants: Subperiosteal implants are less common than endosteal implants. They are typically used for patients who do not have enough bone density to support an endosteal implant. Instead of being placed into the jawbone, a subperiosteal implant is placed on top of the bone and under the gum tissue. Once the implant has fused with the bone, a prosthetic tooth is attached to the implant.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants offer many benefits over other tooth replacement options, including:
Improved Oral Health: Dental implants help maintain the health of your jawbone and prevent further bone loss that can occur with missing teeth.
Improved Appearance: Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, so they can improve the appearance of your smile and boost your self-confidence.
Improved Speech: Dentures can slip and move around in your mouth, making it difficult to speak clearly. Dental implants are fixed in place, so they allow for clear and confident speech.
Improved Comfort: Dental implants are comfortable and do not cause the discomfort or irritation that can be caused by dentures.
Improved Functionality: Dental implants function like natural teeth, allowing you to eat and chew with ease.
