Dental Implants

Dental implants are by far the best of all the ways of modern dentistry has to replace missing teeth. The results are the longest-lasting and it helps to preserve tooth-supporting bone that naturally deteriorates when a tooth is lost. This deterioration, or loss of bone, is one of the major hidden consequences of losing teeth.

The surgical procedure used to place an implant requires only local anesthesia in most cases and is quite minor and routine. A dental implant most often takes the form of a small, screw-shaped titanium post that replaces the root-part of a missing tooth. After some time to allow the area to heal, the implant is topped with a lifelike crown custom-made to match your existing natural teeth. Implants have a documented success rate of over 95%, which is significantly higher than any other tooth-replacement option.

How Dental Implants Work

During a minor surgical procedure, your dental implant is inserted directly into the jawbone in the space vacated by the missing tooth. During a healing period of a few months, the implant fuses to the bone surrounding it. Once the implant is settled in, the final crown is attached.

Tooth Replacement Options

Implants can replace missing teeth in a variety of ways and below are the various options:

Replace One Tooth — A single implant is inserted into the bone to replace the root part of the missing tooth. Afterwards, a crown then goes on top to simulate an actual tooth. This treatment choice has the highest success rate, making it the best long-term investment for replacing a single missing tooth. Over time, this is the most cost-effective solution even if the initial cost is slightly higher than other options. An implant will feel as though a real tooth is there and best of all, it will never decay or need root canal treatment.

Replace Multiple Teeth — Implants provide an ideal replacement mechanism when you have more than one tooth missing as you don’t need one implant for every missing tooth. Instead, implant teeth can act as supports for fixed bridgework. As an example, if you are missing three teeth in a row, two implants would be place in, one on either side of the gap, and a crown in between that has no implant underneath. That way, you won't need to use any of your remaining natural teeth as bridge supports, which could weaken them and make them more susceptible to decay.

Replace All Teeth — Implants can support an entire arch of upper or lower replacement teeth that are fixed into the mouth and are never removed. Sometimes the new teeth can be supported by as few as 4 implants. A good example of this support would be to look at the structure of a table, which only needs 4 legs to hold it up. In cases where jawbone density and volume have deteriorated, 5 or 6 implants might be needed to support a row of 10 to 12 teeth. Dental implant replacement teeth should last a lifetime while protecting your jawbone with no slipping.

Support Removable Dentures — Implants can even make removable dentures more comfortable, effective and healthier to wear. Traditional dentures rest on the gums and put pressure on the underlying bone, which accelerates bone loss. This causes the jaw to shrink and the dentures slip, particularly on the bottom. However, today’s dentists can attach a removable denture onto implants, transferring that pressure into the bone structure rather than the bone surface. This prevents the dentures from slipping while you eat and speak, and preserves the bone directly beneath them.

Implant Care and Maintenance

There are only two ways an implant can lose attachment to the bone and fail once it has successfully fused: 1) poor oral hygiene or 2) excessive biting forces. Poor oral hygiene and/or a lack of regular cleanings can lead to a bacterial infection called peri-implantitis that is destructive, bringing about bone loss. This can be easily prevented by flossing and brushing your teeth on a daily basis, along with regular professional cleanings. Excessive biting forces can come from either a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, or an insufficient number of implants to handle the forces generated by your bite. Your dentist will evaluate and recommend the correct number of implants. If you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, a nightguard will be recommended to protect your implants. It is best to protect your long-term investment in your smile, health and well-being!