Are you missing a tooth or multiple teeth? If so, dental implants are a great solution for restoring your smile. Dental implants are small threaded posts made of either titanium or ceramic that serve as artificial tooth roots. This means that when placed in your jaw, implant posts act as a stable foundation for replacement teeth.
The process of getting dental implants requires a few steps. First, your dentist must evaluate your overall oral health and determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. In order to be eligible for dental implants, you must have sufficient bone in your jaw to support the implants.
If you do not have enough bone, you may need to have a bone graft to build up the bone in your jaw. Once your doctor has determined that you are an appropriate candidate for dental implants, they will take X-rays and impressions of your mouth in order to plan the placement of your implants.
During the surgery, the implant posts will be placed directly into your jawbone. Your dentist may also need to make a small incision in your gum in order to expose the jawbone and place the implants. Once the implant posts are placed in your jaw, they will need to heal and integrate with your bone.
During this osseointegration period, your dentist may attach a healing abutment to the implant posts to help the healing process. Your dentist will also need to place temporary replacement teeth over the implant posts until the healing is complete.
Once the osseointegration period is complete, your dentist will attach the permanent replacement teeth to your implant posts. Depending on the type of implant, your dentist may use either a custom-made crown, bridge, or denture to replace your missing teeth.
Dental implants provide a strong, stable foundation for your replacement teeth and can last for many years with proper care. With dental implants, you can enjoy a beautiful, natural-looking smile and improved oral health.
Who Needs Dental Implants?
Who needs dental implants? The answer is anyone who has one or more missing teeth. Common reasons why people may need dental implants include:
Cavities (tooth decay)
If you’ve had a cavity that’s gone untreated, it can lead to a tooth root fracture or even complete tooth loss. When this happens, dental implants can help restore your smile and give you back a full set of teeth.
Tooth root fracture
If you’ve had a traumatic injury to your mouth, it can lead to a tooth root fracture. This is when the root of the tooth is broken and needs to be replaced with a dental implant.
Bruxism (clenching or grinding your teeth)
If you grind your teeth, you may experience tooth damage that can lead to missing teeth. Dental implants can be used to replace these missing teeth and protect your remaining ones from future damage.
Gum disease
Gum disease can cause your gums to recede from your teeth, leading to tooth loss. Dental implants can be used to replace these missing teeth, restoring your smile and helping to protect your remaining teeth from future damage.
Facial injury
If you’ve had a facial injury, such as a car accident, it can lead to missing teeth. Dental implants can be used to replace these missing teeth, restoring your smile and protecting your remaining teeth from future damage.
Congenitally missing teeth
Some people are born without certain teeth or have teeth that never developed. In these cases, dental implants can be used to fill in the gaps and give you a full set of teeth. No matter what the reason for your missing teeth, dental implants can help restore your smile and give you back a full set of teeth.
