Dental Implants – A Permanent Solution to Missing Teeth

Dental implants provide a safe and permanent solution to missing teeth. A good dental implant helps improve the functionality, comfort and look of your natural teeth.

A Dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is implanted to hold an artificial tooth or bridge. The implants normally consist of a titanium screw with either a rough or a smooth surface (titanium is strong yet at the same time light weight and resistant to corrosion). Once the root of an artificial tooth is implanted, a ceramic crown can be fixed over it. Later, this treatment and the crown become a permanent part of your teeth by fusing into the jawbone.
Dental implants have several advantages such as:

o It replaces a tooth without depending on the neighbouring teeth for support.
o Aesthetic effects of dental implants are far superior to conventional methods like dental bridges and dentures.
o It suits any adult regardless of the number of teeth missing.
o It avoids bone shrinkage that occurs after a tooth loss.
o A Dental implant looks and feels like the natural tooth.
o Success rate of dental implants is high.
o It adds to your confidence by enabling you to speak and eat without worries about your teeth.

The two common types of implants are:

o Endosteal Implants: This involves screws or cylinders or bones being placed into the jawbone surgically. Normally this kind of implant is used for patients with removable dentures or bridges.
o Subperiosteal implants: This implant suits people with minimal bone height and people who cannot wear conventional dentures. The implants are placed on the top part of the jaw.

The cost of a dental implant varies depending on various factors:

o Type of implant
o Number of teeth to be implanted
o Type of crown fitted to the implant
o Type of anaesthesia used before the implant

A dentist who provides a dental implant should mandatorily have adequate training and be aware of the legal requirements for practicing dental implants. The legal requirements for training in dental implants differ between countries.

Once the implant is accomplished you need to take proper care of your dental health and visit your dentist occasionally. Regular brushing and flossing is needed for dental implants too as much as natural teeth to make them clean and plaque-free.

Success rates of dental implants vary from patient to patient. Though there is an 80% chance for success, poor bone quality and healing capacity, smoking and diabetes can lead to a failure of the process. Hence, it is important that you diagnose your dental condition correctly before going for an implant. A good dental clinic and an experienced dentist can help you in this.