The Technology Behind Dental Implants
Dental implants are unique because they are structurally complete. The implant is a small titanium cylinder that is inserted into the jaw by an oral surgeon. Subsequently, the surrounding bone tissue fuses with the implant’s surface.
That osseointegration process renders the implant as a fixture in the jaw, allowing it to serve as an artificial tooth root.
After osseointegration is complete, the implant is topped with a post that serves as a base to hold the restoration in place. That restoration can be a single crown, a bridge or a denture, allowing dental implants to be used in various tooth loss scenarios.
Dental Implants Have Many Advantages
Why do people turn to dental implants instead of traditional appliances like fixed dental bridges or conventional dentures? Well, replacing the root and the crown of the missing tooth or teeth is associated with multiple benefits. In comparison to standard appliances, dental implants are more:
- Secure
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Attractive
- Convenient
Furthermore, dental implants maintain the integrity of the underlying jawbone, meaning that any remaining natural teeth surrounding the implant are more stable and at lower risk for tooth loss themselves.
Are you a good candidate for dental implants?
As discussed above, dental implants can be suitable in different tooth loss scenarios. However, the patient must have enough bone tissue to support successful osseointegration of the dental implant.
Patients who are interested in this treatment option should consult with an oral surgeon, who can take specialized images to evaluate the bone quality at the implant site and determine if implant placement is feasible.
Patients who have bone deficits due to bone atrophy following tooth loss or congenital defects still may be able to get dental implants, but a preliminary bone graft may be needed in such cases to supplement bone tissue at the implant site.
Do you want to learn more about dental implants to determine if this is the right treatment for you? Schedule a no-obligation consultation at our office. We are happy to provide all of the information you need and answer any questions you may have to help you make the right treatment decision for you.