A dental implant is an artificial tooth replacement procedure. The implant is made of titanium and shaped like a screw, with a crown on top. The implant is inserted into a pre-drilled hole in the jaw bone: it fuses into the bone when bone cells grow into the threads of the implant. The implant is solidly anchored into the bone itself, making it the most effective and durable substitute for lost teeth. It is one of the best option of choice for tooth replacement. They are the closest thing to a natural tooth. There are two parts to dental implants:
A root form that is surgically placed in your jaw.
The replacement tooth or teeth that are placed on the root form.
Replacing a single tooth with a dental implant
If you have lost a tooth due to an accident or due to cavities, that one tooth can be replaced using a dental implant. A dental implant is an excellent way of replacing a single tooth without the disadvantages of a fixed bridge or removable dentures.
It is the ideal treatment for a missing tooth because it does not involve grinding of your adjacent teeth as in fixed bridge treatment, or have large acrylic plates and clasping wires as in removable dentures
A dental implant keeps this bone intact and can prevent both bone loss and gum tissue shrinkage. In addition, because a dental implant replaces the root structure, the jawbone is better preserved. A dental implant is also much easier to clean as compared to a bridge. And unlike a bridge, an implant can not be affected by cavities.
A dental implant looks and functions like a natural tooth, while having several advantages over other types of tooth replacement. If you are missing a single tooth, a dental implant is the most natural looking way to replace it.
Replacing multiple teeth with dental implants
Having many missing teeth is detrimental to the health and replacing these teeth is very important.
Just as with one missing tooth, several missing teeth can be aided with dental implants. Implant supported bridges are permanently fixed in the mouth, unlike removable appliances. Dental implants look and function like natural teeth without needing the support of neighboring teeth. Because dental implants replace the root of the natural tooth, they preserve the jawbone and prevent bone deterioration.
Replacing all your teeth with implants
Loose dentures are a problem that has plagued denture wearers for decades. With the use of dental implants, dentures can be held more securely than ever before because the implants do not move at all.
This also means that they are more comfortable because you do not have to worry about how tight the dentures clamp onto the gums and you don’t have to use a messy adhesives.
Summary
If you are missing a single tooth or mulitple teeth, dental implants are the way to go. They are the most natural looking way to replace missing teeth. Dental implants help maintain the integrity of the jawbone and prevent deterioration of the bone that can take place with missing teeth.