Dental implants can be an excellent option for missing teeth. They are a durable, long-term solution and can be customized to your needs.
They look and feel like your own teeth, so you’ll never know they’re not natural.
The implant mimics your natural tooth root and stimulates the jaw bone, preventing bone loss, preserving adjacent teeth and improving facial features.
They Look and Feel Like Your Own Teeth
Dental implants are among the most popular tooth replacement options because they look, feel and function like natural teeth. They are the best option for people who have lost one or more teeth due to injury, disease, or old age.
Because they integrate with the bone, dental implants prevent the bone loss and gum recession that can occur with other tooth-replacement methods, such as bridgework or dentures. They can also improve your speech and help you eat healthy foods more easily.
Implants are made from titanium, a material that is strong and durable. The titanium posts are inserted into your jawbone, where they fuse with the surrounding bone over time. This process, known as osseointegration, creates a strong foundation for the replacement tooth (crown) that your dentist will place on top of the posts.
The crown, which is custom-made to fit your smile, is attached to the implants. It mimics the appearance of a natural tooth, and the color and shape can be adjusted to match your other teeth.
During the procedure, a local anesthetic is used to reduce discomfort. You will likely experience some tenderness and sensitivity as the jaw bone heals, but it should pass after a few weeks.
Although the implants are metal, they don’t taste metallic and you can brush and floss them just like your own teeth. Your dentist will give you specific instructions for proper oral hygiene after your procedure.
Dental implants are more expensive than other tooth-replacement methods, but they can last a lifetime when cared for properly. They require daily brushing and flossing, along with regular dental checkups and professional cleanings.
In general, dental implants offer a higher success rate than other tooth-replacement methods. Several factors affect this rate, including the location of the implant in your jaw, your overall health and the experience and expertise of the doctor performing the treatment.
The best candidates for dental implants have adequate bone in their jaw and healthy gum tissues. They should also be free of periodontal disease and have adequate health insurance to cover the cost of treatment. They should also have a dentist who is an experienced implant specialist, such as Dr. Hanookai of Southland Dental Care in Delta, who has extensive training and experience placing dental implants.
They Prevent Bone Loss
Dental implants prevent bone loss in the jaw by stimulating and preserving your jawbone. This prevents the resorption of bone mass after a tooth is lost, which causes the deterioration of the jawbone and changes the facial structure.
The bone that makes up your jaw deteriorates after you lose a tooth because there is no pressure applied to it by chewing. As the bone resorbs, it leaves a gap that allows bacteria to enter your mouth. This can cause gum disease and other oral health problems.
Implants are a restorative option that helps to preserve your bone structure, and they do this through a process called osseointegration. Over 3-6 months, the titanium posts surgically inserted into the jaw are fused with the bone, which prevents bone resorption and promotes new bone growth.
Bone grafting is another way to restore lost bone density. Surgeons take bone matter from parts of your body, such as the tibia, hip bones or the zygomatic area (the part of the jawbone that’s closer to your cheek). They attach the bone material to the desired location and slowly restore the lost density.
This technique can be used to add new bone to your jaw before putting in dental implants. The graft also makes it possible to place an implant in areas that would otherwise be impossible, such as in the back of the jaw.
During the procedure, your dentist will insert the titanium post into your jaw bone and it will then go through a process called osseointegration. The titanium will then fuse with your jaw bone, so that it is the exact same thickness as your original bone, making the implant a permanent solution to tooth loss.
In addition to helping you stop bone resorption, dental implants also prevent other cosmetic issues that can occur with a missing tooth. For example, a missing tooth can cause your lower face to look sunken in and can give you an aged look that will be difficult to correct. Missing teeth can also shift your other teeth and lead to a poor bite.
They Improve Your Speech
Dental implants are one of the most effective ways to improve your speech and boost your self-esteem. They help you talk clearly, without a slurring or whistling sound. In addition, they allow you to eat the foods that you enjoy with comfort and confidence.
Implants also improve your oral health, as they do not alter the structure of the adjacent teeth. This can lead to improved oral hygiene and prevent gum disease and tooth loss.
While other teeth replacement options, such as dentures, can impede speech, dental implants are permanent and allow you to speak normally again. In fact, they’ve been shown to be able to improve speech in people who have lost their teeth due to trauma or disease.
The problem with most tooth replacement solutions is that they do not stay in place, allowing moisture build-up to cause them to slip and prevent the tongue from making accurate phonetic sounds. This can result in embarrassing moments where the person’s voice is distorted.
Additionally, dentures often fall out when speaking or eat, and jaw deterioration can continue if they are not replaced regularly. Eventually, these problems can lead to a lack of confidence and lower your self-esteem.
For those who have experienced these problems, dental implants in Stamford CT can help to restore your normal speech patterns. They do this by preventing whistling and slurring and by restoring natural speech patterns.
To get started with dental implants, you should schedule an appointment with a dentist who can evaluate your oral health and discuss your cosmetic goals. They will then help you to decide if they are the best solution for your particular needs and budget.
Once you’ve chosen the ideal dental implant solution, your dentist will take X-rays and 3D images of your mouth. They’ll send these images to a lab where models of your mouth will be created.
These models will be used to create an exact replica of your teeth and jaw, which will be positioned on top of the implant. Then, the implant will be surgically placed into your jawbone. It’s then connected to abutments and crowns that will look and feel like your real teeth.
They Are Convenient
Dental implants are a convenient option for replacing missing teeth. They look and feel like your own teeth, are very durable, and can last a lifetime with proper care. They also improve your speech, oral health and prevent bone loss, which is common with missing teeth.
They’re made from materials that are approved by international consensus standards of safety, including titanium and zirconium oxide. These materials are proven to be safe and have a high success rate for patients.
The implant itself is inserted into the jawbone and fuses to it, just as your natural tooth would. A small connector post (called an abutment) is then attached to the post, which holds the new tooth.
During the process, the dentist makes impressions of your mouth. These impressions allow the doctor to create a model of your bite, which is then used to construct your new teeth.
Most people who are missing teeth feel that dental implant treatment is a great alternative to dentures, bridgework or other types of replacements. They’re also less expensive and last longer.
When choosing a dentist, look for one who is trained in this area. Make sure to ask about the number of years of experience they have in this field, as well as whether they have any specialized training.
Your dentist will also want to know if you have any medical conditions that may affect the quality of your implant, such as diabetes or severe periodontal disease. If so, you’ll need to discuss this with them before the treatment begins.
Fortunately, modern technology is making dental implant treatment much easier. The entire procedure is done in just one visit, and advanced anesthetic injections reduce your discomfort.
If you’re interested in getting your dental implant, contact us today to set up an appointment for a consultation. This will give you an opportunity to get all of your questions answered and see if this is the right treatment for you.