Dental Implants for Your Missing Teeth

If you're missing teeth, you may want to consider getting dental implants. A dental implant is designed to look, feel and act like a real tooth, which can help boost your self-confidence, help you chew your foods more efficiently and can help avoid bone atrophy, a process whereby the jawbone begins to shrink over time. Dental implants may even improve your speech.


Dental implants are made from titanium. The bottom of an implant is shaped like a screw or nail and it is designed to mimic the root of a tooth. This part of the implant is surgically inserted into the jawbone. An incision deep enough and wide enough to support the implant is made into the jaw bone, and then it's inserted.

Osseo integration, a process in which the bone surrounding the titanium implant grows around the implant, takes place during the following months, helping to ensure the implants remain in place.

Titanium is the preferred material for dental implants because of its durability, its non-corrosive and non-magnetic properties and because of its ability to resist among other things acid, oxygen and salt solutions. Most importantly, the body does not reject titanium. After the implants have been put into place, the next step involves placement of crowns, dentures or bridge.

The Root-Form implant is the most popular. It's perfect for individuals with a sufficient quantity of bone remaining in the jaw. Those who have lost a considerable amount of bone in the jaw will benefit from a Ramus-Frame implant. Only two implants are embedded into the jawbone, near the wisdom teeth. A wire bracket runs along the gum line onto which dentures are placed.

A Blade Form implant is similar to the Root Form, except two blades will protrude above the gum line. The bridge or crown is then attached to the two blades. A Transosseous implant is another option, but it's not very popular because of the extensive amount of surgery involved.

Although dental implants initially cost considerably more than crowns, bridges or dentures, they are designed to last for life. When the costs are spread over the long-term, the price becomes much more reasonable. Patients who have chosen implants prefer them over dentures because with implants, there no longer is a thick layer of plastic covering the roof of their mouths. With the plastic out of the way, taste is greatly enhanced.

Also, with dentures certain foods like apples and popcorn must be avoided, but with implants, there are no food restrictions. Dentures must be secured into place with denture adhesive, which can be messy and sticky. There's no need for adhesives with implants.

Those whose health is poor, or who smoke or drink alcohol excessively, or who take certain medications, or who are pregnant, or whose jawbones have not yet fully developed and others may not be good candidates for dental implants. If you're interested in dental implants, discuss this option with your dentist.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6349216