When you have a dental infection or an injury, saving your natural tooth should always be your first choice. However, if the damage is beyond repair, extraction would be the only option! But, ensure replacement of the missing tooth to prevent adverse consequences like bone resorption.
This challenge is greatly overcome through dental implants Dexter, that offer permanent replacement of your missing teeth.
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is a small screw-like post made up of titanium alloy (since it is biocompatible) that serves as a substitute for the tooth root. A connector, known as the abutment, is placed on the post, which connects it to the replacement tooth. Finally, a crown (the replacement tooth) is customized to match your natural teeth, completing the dental implant.
What is the purpose of dental implants?
Tooth loss is the leading dental problem faced by millions globally due to several reasons, like dental decay, trauma, or gum disease. Failure to replace the missing tooth gap can negatively impact your oral health due to bone resorption, sunken look, premature aging, drifting of the adjacent teeth in the tooth gap, and malalignment. Thus, your dentist would recommend dental implants since they offer a permanent solution.
Also, implants are a great option for those who do not have adjacent teeth for support, as in the case of missing distal teeth.
What are the advantages of dental implants?
The benefits of dental implants are listed below:
- Provide a feeling of natural teeth that usually fuse with your jawbone
- Offer permanent replacement for missing teeth
- Improve speech and mastication since they are fixed and do not slip
- You no longer have the discomfort of cleaning your removable dentures.
- Revitalize your smile, boosting your self-esteem and confidence.
- Do not require preparation of the adjacent teeth since they do not require any support from them, thus preserving the natural tooth structure
- Durable and with proper care, they can last a lifetime.
How are dental implants placed?
Your dentist will evaluate your bone health through dental X-rays to check the thickness. Once you are deemed an ideal candidate, the procedure is as follows:
- The area of concern will be isolated using a rubber dam to prevent excess moisture
- Your dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the area around the missing tooth
- A small cut or incision will be made on the gums to expose the jawbone
- Tiny holes will be drilled into the bone to insert the implant post
- The gum flap will be closed through sutures
The post is left to fuse with the bone (osseointegration), and after about 2 to 3 months, a custom-made crown will be fabricated.
