Dental Implant: A Restorative Dental Procedure If You've Got Missing Teeth

Not only can a missing tooth or missing teeth affect health, it can also affect self-esteem. If you have missing tooth, a dental implant can replace it permanently and it will look and feel just like your other normal teeth.

However, if you decide to go for this type of restorative dental procedure, you should find the right dentist or dental surgeon. Keep in mind that not every dentist is qualified to perform this type of dental procedure since it's surgical in nature. This, look for someone who is qualified and has experience in implant dentistry.

Dental Implant: What Is It?

A dental implant is a cosmetic surgical procedure in which a hole is drilled into the jaw and a titanium screw is placed into the hole. A tooth is placed onto the screw and a crown put on over the tooth.

Although costly, implant placement is usually more affordable than the more popular alternatives like conventional dentures and fixed bridges. If you need to replace a missing tooth or missing teeth, it's a good idea to ask a restorative dentist about the difference between dental implants and dentures.

Dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth. They are permanent because the implant supported by the titanium screw is placed into the bone. One of the biggest advantages to getting implants is that the prostheses cannot decay like teeth can.

Dental Implant: Its Disadvantages

Dental implants do have some disadvantages. One is that with a dental implant, your gum becomes more susceptible to periodontal disease, an advanced form of gum disease.

Periodontal disease can have a negative impact on overall oral health because the disease basically breaks down the soft gum tissues and the bones that provide support to the teeth. This causes the teeth to become loose and eventually fall out.

There is treatment for periodontal disease, but many patients don’t realize they have the disease, especially if they contract it soon after oral surgery. In this case, treatment may come too late and the teeth have already begun to be affected. The best treatment for gum disease is proactive treatment in the form of a healthy mouth. Taking good care of your teeth and gums after dental implants is very important and can prevent complications.

Dental Implant: The Process

Dental implant is a multi-step process. First, the area for the dental implant is prepped up and tiny pilot holes are drilled into the bone. Next, the holes are made wide enough so that the screw will fit when implanted. The area needs to heal completely, and this can take anywhere between two and six months.

After the area has healed completely, the prosthetic tooth is placed on the implanted screw. Next, a crown is placed over the tooth. Again, this step in the dental implant procedure requires healing time. During the healing process, the gums will form themselves over the crown.

Why a Dental Implant is the Best Option

When you compare it to dentures or fixed bridges, a permanent dental implant does take longer to complete. However, once it's completed, there's no need for readjustments or any special cleaning beyond healthy oral hygiene practices and possibly an antimicrobial mouthwash that may be recommended by your dentist in order to reduce the natural bacteria that might cause infection in the gums. All in all, dental implants seem to be the best choice for many people, and they look perfectly natural, too.