What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are screws or titanium cylinders that are placed into the jaw bone where there are missing teeth below the gums with the surgical procedure. Dentists can mount replacement teeth on screws once they become firm at the place. You will not notice any difference between your new teeth (a crown) and your real teeth.
Brief History
The dental implants were discovered by Swedish orthopedic surgeon Per-Ingvar Branemark in 1960. He is also known as the father of modern dental implant. He discovered the process of osseointegration, in which he saw fusion of bone tissues to the titanium metal while observing bone healing. He published many studies depending on his several years research and in 1978 he commercialized implants. Nowadays, many companies use his patents and millions of implants have been sold under his name.
Causes of Missing Teeth
Some systemic conditions like inherited disorders can be the cause of missing teeth. Ectodermal dysplasia is a genetic defect that affects your teeth. Patients of this syndrome often have missing teeth. The dental problem in patients of this syndrome was evaluated early in their life, and the training of a prosthodontist allows a comprehensive approach to the missing teeth.
Causes of Missing Teeth
Missing teeth are not good for your dental health and they also affect your looks. They also affect your bite as they start to move to the extra space. Your remaining teeth wear down quickly due to misalignment. The long-term effect of missing teeth include cavities, cracks, uneven chewing pressure, fractures and gum disease.
Why Replace Your Missing Tooth?
Teeth May Shift and Loosen
Teeth are nicely lined up in a row and keep surrounding teeth stable in your mouth. Teeth shifting happens due to single or multiple missing teeth. Missing teeth causes different problems like teeth going off the place, potential gum disease, tooth decay or change in your bite.
Your Face Could Change
Every feature of your face may be twisted. With the passage of time, your muscles may droop and bones become deteriorated due to loss of a tooth. If you want that your facial features do not change, and your mouth stays healthy then replacement of missing teeth is necessary.
It May Affect Your Mental Health
Everyone had a missing tooth at some point of life, it would be tough to smile and chew with a hole. This may cause irritation and discomfort if you ignore it at the start. In childhood, missing teeth may be fun but that’s not the case in adulthood. Some individuals observe that missing teeth lower their self-confidence by affecting their speech pattern. Dental implants give your teeth a natural look and do not affect your speech pattern.
TMJ Disorder
Temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are muscles that assist you to rotate your jaw and chew. They are located on the side of your head. People experience physical pain due to changes of these muscles. Loss of tooth with no replacement causes TMJ disorder.
What to Expect
Dental implants provide solid support for artificial teeth as they fuse with your jawbone. The major benefit of dental implants is bridges and dentures mounted on your implants won’t slip or shift in your mouth when you speak or eat. Due to strong fixing of implants, individual crowns, bridges and implants placed on implants look more natural than conventional dentures and bridges.
Why It's Done
With the help of surgical procedure, dental implants are placed in your jawbone. Titanium implants are different from dentures and fixed bridges as they won’t make noise because titanium fuses with jawbone. Like your own teeth, dental implants can’t decay.
Why Choose Dental Implants to Replace Missing Teeth
Surprisingly Similar to Your Teeth
Dental implants look similar to your natural teeth that’s why most people prefer them. The fixing of dental implants is just like your own teeth. In a matter of hours your smile will be improved with dental implants.
Longest-Lasting Solution for Tooth Replacement Options
As dental implants strongly bond with your jawbone, dental implants are considered as a permanent tooth replacement option. With proper cleaning and care they can even last more than 20 years. On the other hand similar options like bridges and dentures need replacement after a few years.
Will Not Affect the Health of Nearby Teeth
Your surrounding teeth will be secure with dental implants as they fused with your jawbone. It does not cause stress to surrounding teeth. If surrounding teeth do not support the replacement tooth then there are chances of tooth decay. Otherwise dental implants cost you much higher. On the other hand no such problems are associated with dental implants that’s why they are economical.
Provides Protection From Later Bone Loss
Dental bone loss is associated with tooth loss. Nearby bones are hugely affected by missing teeth. The risk of dental fractures is higher and the shape of your face may also be changed. Dental implants prevent bone loss and that’s why their cost is worth it. You can avoid such harmful effects by replacing missing teeth with dental implants.
Same Care and Cleaning as Natural Teeth
All tooth replacement options do not require special care. Same care is required for dental implants as needed by your natural teeth. It is advised to do flossing daily, brushing your teeth twice daily and visit your dentist for regular checkups.
Implants Are Easy to Maintain
In-home care, a single tooth implant, or a crown and bridge dental is easily cleaned like a natural tooth. As like every day regular brushing, flossing, scheduled hygiene appointments as directed by the dentist. To maintain dental implants, there is no special caring for that. Sometimes, in-home care, little more complications may occur but for this dentist’s consultations can help.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Prevents Bone Loss
Loss of bone mass is obvious due to teeth loss. Stimulation from teeth is necessary for the jawbone to maintain its mass. Jawbone stimulation is only replaced by dental implants, and prevents bone loss.
Matches Your Natural Teeth
There are different sizes and shapes of dental implants. Your dentist will design customise design and fitting for you that can perfectly fit in the gaps and colour that is compatible with your surrounding teeths. Only you and your dentist know the secret of your implants.
Restores Bite Force
They restore your bite force, same or similar to that of your natural teeth. As dental implants fuse with your jawbone and replace the tooth root. As other replacement options sit on the top of the gums and are not firmly placed they do not restore the bite force.
Prevents Changes In the Shape Of Your Face
Your facial structure is supported by your teeth. You lose the support when you lose teeth, that may lead to change in facial structure. The support of dental implants is similar to that of your natural teeth and maintains your facial structure.
Enables Natural Speech
You can speak correctly and pronounce correct words with dental implants. Where as dentures interfere with your speech pattern. Your speech is affected by missing teeth. Dental implants help you to improve your speech as their function is similar to your natural teeth.
Won’t Get Cavities
The material of dental implants won’t decay, however to prevent the bacterial infection, artificial teeth still require the same care and prevention methods. Feel free, your dental implants won’t get cavities.
A Permanent Solution to Tooth Loss
The periodic replacement of other tooth replacement is necessary whereas dental implants will last for the rest of your life. It is better to consider and choose dental implants if you are searching for replacement options.
Final Words
If you are looking for a set of pearly whites that can replace your missing teeth and enhance your smile then you can contact us at our office at Coquitlam Dental Group. Our experts are skillful and professionals that will make your teeth healthy and restore your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Anyone having single or multiple teeth missing are ideal candidates for dental implants. You can talk to your prosthodontist for your requirements.
Why Do So Many People Prefer Dental Implants?
Most people prefer dental implants because they provide natural feeling and natural looking replacement for missing teeth. Your jawbone remains healthy with dental implants, so that it does not affect your facial structure.
Are Dental Implants Safe?
Dental implants are safe and effective as people have been using them for half a century. Complications are obvious in any medical procedure. The risk of complications can be reduced if your procedure is done by a well-trained,skillful and knowledgeable dentist.
Do Dental Implants Hurt?
To prevent the pain, local anesthetic is usually given before the procedure. You should discuss with your dentist regarding your fear or anxiety.
How Painful Is the Dental Implant Procedure?
Some pain or discomfort is associated with dental implant procedure like any other oral surgical procedure. However, patients of dental implants reported that they feel discomfort and pain for a very short period.
How Long Does It Take to Replace Teeth Using Dental Implants?
The procedure time for each patient is different. Your dentist prepares a treatment plan after necessary diagnosis to estimate the time of procedure.
How Do I Care for My Dental Implants?
Dental implants last for decades when cared properly and well-placed. The hygiene for dental implants is the same as that of your natural teeth. Visit your dentist regularly, brush and floss your teeth or dental implants.