9 Fast Facts About Dental Implants

Implant dentistry has amassed significant popularity today as more patients are opting for implants over other oral appliances. Whether you are seeking to learn more about them before your treatment, or you are already reaping the benefits of having them, you will agree that oral implants play a crucial role in dental health.

The best way to appreciate the usefulness of tooth implants is by learning a couple of facts about them, and why it is that they are very popular today.

What Are Dental Implants?

They are small metal fixtures that resemble a screw, which are used as oral devices for replacing missing teeth. The implants vary significantly from typical tooth replacement appliances in restorative dentistry.

From how they are made to how they work, dental implants are very different from other oral appliances used to replace teeth. They have been proven and tested as effective, with a success rate of up to 98%.

9 Crucial Facts about Teeth Implants

If ever you are looking for facts that can help convince you to try dental implants, here are some crucial ones that everyone considering them should know:

• They replace the root part of teeth – all the other tooth replacement appliances in Columbia, SC, replace the crown part of a tooth. Implants work differently by replacing the roots first. This is why the metal fixture is inserted in your jawbone, which is the place where a tooth root should be.
• They feel like natural teeth – once an implant has been installed in your jawbone, it is usually covered by a dental crown. Of all the other tooth replacement alternatives, one teeth implants feel like natural teeth. The implants feature titanium material, which is a metal that integrates perfectly with the human bones. This makes it one with your jawbone, once healing has occurred.
• Oral implants are not for everyone – when choosing this treatment for your tooth replacement you must first qualify for it. Usually, a dentist checks how healthy your mouth is, with stricter measures on your gums and jawbone. If they are not healthy, you will not be accepted for the treatment. Alternatively, you can go through a grafting surgical process for both your gums and bone. Bone grafts and gum grafts are used to achieve this.
• Healing takes time – Drs. Ellis, Green, and Jenkins stress that beneficiaries of oral implants must be more patient than other patients. The reason is that healing takes time since the treatment involves a surgical procedure to place the metal fixture in your jawbone. Besides, the process relies on the aspect of bone regeneration, which can only happen as your mouth heals. In fact, it could take between 6-9 weeks or longer, before you get a permanent crown placed over the oral implant.
• They are permanent – once an implant is inserted in your jawbone, it will not be removable, unless through surgical means. The implant will take some time to heal, after which you have a permanently restored tooth.
• An implant cannot get a cavity – even though it looks and feels like a natural real tooth, it cannot get a cavity. However, proper oral hygiene should be practiced, for the sake of your gum tissues, and the other oral appliance used, whether a crown, dental bridge, or denture.
• Implants promote healthy jawbone – Ideally, the concept is that they promote bone regeneration, which discourages bone thinning. This way, your jawbone will be strong and steady. This will work to improve your facial appearance, giving you a fuller and more youthful appearance.
• They are very durable – of all the tooth replacement solutions in restorative dentistry, implants last the longest. With proper care and maintenance, your implants can serve you for a lifetime. The only thing that you may need to change is the other oral appliance you have over your implant, whether a dental crown or denture.
• Implants can replace multiple missing teeth – commonly, implants are used to replace a single missing tooth. This would translate to one tooth implant for every tooth you are missing. However, when you have multiple missing teeth, such a procedure is too invasive and costly to undertake. In that case, the all-on-4® technique is used to replace more of your teeth. This technique uses 4, 6, or 8 tooth implants to replace all your missing teeth. They are then covered by complete dentures.