When patients suffer from missing or decayed teeth, they need restorative work to provide full function of the teeth and jaw. Dental implants can be used to replace teeth that are lost or removed to provide a number of physical and aesthetic benefits.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are prosthetic teeth that are surgically implanted into a patient’s gum tissue and bone to replace lost or removed teeth. The implants involve the abutment screw and crown portion. The abutment is used to secure the implant, and the crown is the portion that acts as the new tooth. The final result is a natural-looking tooth that can improve one’s ability to chew or the appearance of the smile. Implants are durable and stable, and they can last for many years after being installed.
When are Dental Implants Used?
Patients often lose teeth due to decay. Others maintain some of the tooth structure but not enough to get full function of the tooth. Teeth that are irreparably damaged need to be extracted — this leaves empty spaces in the gum line. In these instances, dental implants can replace the lost tooth to give the patient full use and strength in the jawbone. Implants are used for the following purposes:
- Supporting bridges on each side
- Restoring the aesthetic quality of a smile
- Improving the ability to chew and speak
- Enhancing or restoring facial shape
- Improving bite problems or pain associated with teeth that move into empty spaces
Installing Implants
The gum tissue around the selected area is cut to allow part of the underlying bone to be altered to allow for the placement of the implant. The implant is screwed into place and healthy gum tissue is placed around the area to allow for natural healing. Once the abutment screw of the implant is put in place, the bone in which it is installed must fuse to the surface of the device. This is necessary for the implant to withstand the same physical loads as the natural teeth would.
Individuals with missing or shifting teeth often suffer from many issues that affect their ability to function and socialise normally. Receiving dental implants can work wonders to improve one’s confidence by enhancing their smile, relieving pain and improving their chewing and speaking abilities.
Would you consider dental implants or would you go down a different route?
My mum had this done. It made a huge difference to her confidence in her appearance I think. Definitely a great service for people that suffer with problems, mum had gum disease that just wrecked her front teeth.x
Natalie Ray recently posted…Slimbridge Wetland Centre
I have to have a tooth pulled out on Friday and am really considering this myself. Just the thought of having a gap in my teeth, albeit hardly visible, makes me really self-conscious x
I have lost one of my teeth last year but that gap makes me embarrassing me a lot while smile.
i have bulled off my infected tooth last month. now its change my face shape i plan to go for dental implant to fill that gap.
Ouch, that sounds painful. I hope you get it sorted out soon…
Thanks so much for this article. I’m having dental problems and one of the options given to me by my dentist were dental implants. The idea of an implant sounded quite scary to me but this article really put my mind at ease.