What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a replacement tooth that uses the latest technology to mimic the whole tooth structure. Inserted into the gum is a titanium root that connects to the bone supporting a crown. Implants look, feel, and act like the real thing. They are a permanent fixed solution, if cared for properly, for extracted teeth. Implants are used to replace single or multiple missing teeth.
Because of its advantages over earlier tooth replacement solutions dental implants more patients can feel at ease with their image, even those who were told there was no practical solution in the past.
When to look at having Dental Implants?
For those of us with one or more missing teeth, or have a number of broken or decayed and beyond repair teeth implants are usually the number one answer. Some patients are uncomfortable with wearing dentures, or bridges, and would prefer to upgrade to implant surgery.
Historically patients with insufficient bone structure or those suffering from certain health conditions were considered unfit for implant surgery, however, advances in diagnostics and bone reconstruction have made it possible for most potential patients to be sound recipients of implant surgery.
Implants are now common all across Australia including dental implants on Sunshine Coast and other regions of the country.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental Implants look, feel, and behave like natural teeth
One of the main advantages of a dental implant is that it restores full chewing power. Most patients can’t tell the difference between their natural teeth and the implant tooth. They can eat with it completely normally, and they can brush and floss normally as well. Dentures, on the other hand, can feel alien, almost like a prosthetic limb rather than a part of one’s own natural body.
Dental Implants should last a lifetime
Whereas a dental bridge may only last around 10 years or so, dental implants should last a lifetime. The jaw bone, in absence of teeth, creates a space that deteriorates due to lack of stimuli. If an implant is not placed within the first year of losing a tooth, the possibility of an easy implant reduces. Dentures may even add to the problem by accelerating bone loss and rubbing against the bony ridge, gradually wearing it away. Because an implant replaces the root as well as the tooth, and chewing is restored to normal, it provides the action required for natural bone growth.
What type of implant is best?
There are a number of different types of dental implants to consider. Endosteal implants are probably the most common consisting of a titanium screw straight into the jawline. For those without height of jawbone or density for endosteal implants, Subperiosteal implants may be required. For those with large instances of bone loss Zygomatic implants, connecting to the cheekbones, may be required. This method is the more complicated of the approaches.
Having healthy gums and teeth is important for a feeling of general well-being in Australia and with the benefit of technological advances like implants we can feel and look our best.
