If you have ever had missing teeth, you might’ve been suggested to get dental implants by friends or family. Upon hearing this, if your first reaction was to ask, “What are dental implants?” you’re not alone. Millions of Americans are currently unaware of this magical procedure, which is essentially an advanced solution to replace your missing teeth, offer a natural appearance and give you the ability to eat, speak, or smile without worry.
But what are dental implants made up of? Why do dentists recommend them? In this guide, we will talk about all that in detail, breaking down the three components of dental implants and providing some additional information that will be helpful to you.
Understanding Dental Implants: The Basics
In medical terms, a dental implant is a device that serves as a replacement for a lost tooth. It’s a small, surgical fixture usually made of biocompatible titanium or zirconia, inserted into your jawbone. These devices serve as new roots to your artificial tooth. The implant anchoring your jawbone eventually binds through a process known as osseointegration, enabling you to have the confidence of eating, speaking, and smiling.
1. The Implant: Your Tooth’s New Foundation
The first part of a dental implant is the implant post, usually made from titanium or a titanium alloy. This post is implanted surgically in your jawbone, where it assumes the role of a substitute root of your tooth.
Titanium is used because it is biocompatible, which means that it can be allowed to directly bond with the bone in a process referred to as osseointegration. This safe amalgamation forms the foundation that is able to withstand even decades with adequate maintenance.
As reported by the National Institutes of Health, dental implants have a success rate of over 95% when placed in healthy bone. This is one of the reasons they have become the favorite remedy of many patients as opposed to the traditional bridges or dentures.
2. The Abutment: The Connector Piece
When your jawbone has grown into the implant post connection and is in place, a very small part or point referred to as an abutment is attached. The abutment extends above your gum line and serves as the point where the crown will attach to the implant. When done correctly, the abutment will ensure that your tooth restoration is natural and you will be able to chew or bite normally.
3. The Crown: Your New Visible Tooth
This portion of your dental implant that is exposed is referred to as a crown and is custom-fabricated to blend perfectly both in coloring and in the shape and size of your teeth. The material that is used when creating the majority of crowns is made out of porcelain or ceramic to achieve a realistic appearance, but they can also be created out of metal to make them have greater durability.
Why Bone Health Matters in Dental Implants
Your jawbone must be robust enough to hold onto the implant post for a dental implant to be successful. If you have had a missing tooth for some time now, you might have suffered from bone loss, which is going to make it harder to place an implant.
In cases like this, your oral surgeon may recommend bone grafting in Charleston to rebuild the jawbone. Bone grafting is a process through which the surgeon adds volume and mass to a weak gum region, which boosts the possibility of a successful implant and ensures the implanted material has a long life.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Getting dental implants will serve you the following benefits:
- Natural Look: Implants look and perform exactly the same as natural teeth and thus will enable you to reclaim your normal life once again.
- Stable and functional: You can chew, laugh and live without worrying that they will move around or slip, as is the case with traditional dentures or bridges.
- Durability: Provided they are effectively maintained, the implants could last very long, for decades, and in fact, they may even outlive the user.
- Safety of the Adjacent Teeth: In such cases, the implants are autonomous, in that the rest of the surrounding teeth would not have been affected, not even in the slightest manner.
Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
You may be a candidate if you:
- Are missing one or more teeth
- Have a jaw that’s finished growing
- Possess enough bone to secure the implants, or are eligible for bone grafting
- Your oral tissues are healthy, and you have no such conditions that could make gum healing difficult.
If you are ticking all these boxes, visit your dentist to check if you can actually get implants, and go forward with it only after they approve.
Caring for Your Dental Implants
Implants also have risks just like any other surgery, but when properly carried out by qualified practitioners, they are quite safe. The implants can result in an infection, nerve damage, or sinus issues; however, this is very unlikely to happen. Most patients describe the soreness as mild, lasting only several days, and the functional and cosmetic capacity is returned to full capacity in just a few days.
In order to preserve your teeth during the recovery period, it is advised to brush your teeth using a toothbrush that has soft bristles, floss your teeth on a regular basis, and visit the dentist so that your teeth can be cleaned and periodic checkups can be done.
Conclusion
Dental implants are lifesavers if you have missing teeth and struggle with chewing, talking, or doing other normal stuff. A dental implant is a device that acts as a prosthetic tooth and helps you get back to your normal life. But you must follow the due procedure before getting implants. Check with your dentist to see if you are a good candidate, and get dental implants only after their approval. Go for qualified oral clinics such as COAFS, which will provide you with the right treatment plan to help you regain your fully functioning smile that will feel as natural as it looks.
