Dental Implants ~ Article

Tooth Replacement Therapy
Dental Implants are more than just a cosmetic dental tooth replacement. Dental implants do several things you may not be aware of such as; prevent bone loss, natural cleaning, and support for surrounding teeth. Dental implant procedures performed by a qualified dental implant professional will restore your smile and your confidence. Dental implants a one time investment for a lifetime of benefit. Restore your smile and your confidence! Missing teeth, crowns, bridges, partials, dentures or implants. Dental implants are strong, artificial tooth roots which an be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth or to support and stabilize a bridge or denture. Dental Implants look, feel and function like natural teeth. In general dental implants are placed using a very precise drilling sequence and then allowing time for the implant to become a part of your body or heal (Osseointegration). Although in some cases we can put a tooth on the implant the same day we place the implant, in general there is a waiting time for the implant to heal. The time that it takes to Osseointegrate or heals depending on where it is placed in the mouth, how tight it is when it is placed, and if there are any additional treatments needed in order to place the dental implant, such as grafting. When implants are placed in the lower jaw they usually require 3-5 months of healing before cementing a tooth on it. When dental implants are placed in the upper jaw it takes 4-6 months for healing to happen. When placing dental implants the dentist should take an approach with the end result in mind, we call this restorative driven implant dentistry. When the end result is visualized then the placement of dental implants into the correct position allows for the most esthetic/cosmetic result. It also saves time and money for the patient. Using this approach makes the end result as natural as your real teeth and increases success.

The Benefits of Dental Implants
The benefits of dental implants are many. When teeth are missing in the mouth the bone that is there to support the teeth begins to melt away and eventually could result in a large dental defect. When dental implants replace lost teeth, the supporting bone will no longer melt away because it will be there to support the dental implant just as if your natural tooth were present. Dental implants thereby prevent bone loss and defects. This will greatly increase the cosmetic result of anything that we do. Another benefit of implants is the natural function that they provide. You will be able to floss and brush them like natural teeth rather than trying to floss under a dental bridge or having to remove teeth to clean them. Dental implants also maintain space keeping teeth around the missing one from crowding into the space. Dental implants ultimately prevent occlusal disease, allow you to chew better, and be healthier. Again you have many options to replace.

The Cost is Once in a Lifetime
The cost for having a dental implant placed in your mouth is dependent on many things. In general they are more expensive than the alternative in the short term way of thinking. Yet, when the cost is compared over a lifetime, there is no other treatment in dentistry that will last as long and thus have the value that having an implant will provide. Usually the cost is once in a lifetime compared to root canals, bridges, or partials because they will need to be replaced many
times throughout your life if you are young and several times if you are older. Either way the longest lasting, best lifetime value will be dental implants.

Preventing the Risks
The risks of dental implants are the same for any dental surgical procedure. They include infection, damage to adjacent structures, pain following placement, and failure. Failure of dental implants is mostly a result of three things: infection, occlusal disease and your ability to heal. The first two can be prevented with proper control by the dentist. The third can be improved by the patient. Some things that can be done is not smoking or drinking alcohol, heavy biting during the healing stage will increase the risk of implant failure as well. Also uncontrolled diabetes is a contraindication for dental implants. It is recommended to have a protective occlusal guard after the implant has healed. The greatest risk of implant treatment is no implant treatment. When infected or missing teeth go untreated the damage can be far greater the more time that passes. When no dental implant is placed your bone will melt away making it more costly later to have an implant. If an infected tooth is not treated, the infection can spread to other parts of your body and can ultimately result in life threatening illness. Also, teeth around the missing area will begin to take over the space and could cause occlusal disease, which over time is very destructive and can be expensive to fix.

Restore your smile and your confidence!
Missing teeth? Dental implants are strong, artificial tooth roots which an be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth or to support and stabilize a bridge or denture. Dental Implants look, feel and function like natural teeth.

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