Dental Implants

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Dental Implants
What is a dental implant? In the simplest terms, a dental implant is avery small, threadedmetalfixture, placed surgically into either the lower or the upper jaw, which replaces the roots of missing teeth. When the procedure is completed, tiny postsprotrude from the surface of the gingiva, or gums.The dentist then positionsand attaches a bridge, or multiple or individual artificial teeth known as crowns, to each post. Implants are comprised of either pure titanium or an alloy thereof. Titanium, which is highly corrosionresistant and is most widely known for having a tensile strength far greater than steel, is also unique in that the human body adapts wellto its presence without causing the body s immune system to react, in turn allowing the tissues to heal well. Themicroscopically roughened surface of each implant helps the bone tissue to bond with and grow onto it, providing a strong, stable replacement root, or anchor, for the artificial tooth or bridge to secure to.The result is that dental implants last for several years, provided the patient brushes, flosses, and maintains overall good oral health, including regular checkups with her or his dental health care professional.

How long will implants last?Long-term studies conducted for more than 30 years have found that patients who were missing all of their teeth had an 80- to 90-percent success rate;for those patients who were missing one to several teeth, the success rate for implantshas been over 95 percent, clearly showing that dental implants are a safe, proven method of permanently replacing teeth lost to decay, injury, or extraction.It may necessary to removea dental implant in those instances where it either does not heal properly or it becomes loose; however, after the site has healed another implant usually can be placed. In some cases, it is possible to replace the implant the same day.

What is involved inimplantplacing?As mentioned above,implants require a surgical procedure,and while the surgery itself is relatively minor, each procedure takes place in a hospital-style operating room, using state-of-the-art instruments and equipment, with every measure taken to ensure maximum sterility and patient comfort. Both local and general anesthesia is available. The doctor and the patient will discuss this option and agree prior to the surgery.

In most cases, placing dental implants necessitates two separate procedures. In the first, the oral surgeon will incise the gingiva (gum) where the implant is to be placed, create asmall, precision opening in the jaw for each implant and install, or place, the implant. When this is done, the doctor will then suture the gingiva closed over each implant. For the next three to six months, the implant is allowed to bond to the bone tissue of the jaw. During this time, the patient should be able to wear temporary

dentures and eat a soft diet. Also during this time, the dentist arranges the creation of thereplacement teeth, or crowns.The complete implantprocess is actually a professional collaboration.The oral surgeon performs the implant surgery itself, and the dentist performs any needed tooth extraction and bone grafting as well as measuring for and creating the prosthesis (crown or bridge). The dentist also will make any temporaryprosthesis for the patient to wear until the implant has bonded with the bone tissue.

After the implant has bonded and during the second portion of the implant procedure, the oral surgeon will make a minute incision in the gingiva overeach implant, then install a miniscule, threaded titanium post into each one. The bridge or crown is attached or placed onto each post and, once that is done, the posts are no longer visible. The result looks exactly like natural teeth!

Does it take this long for everyone? Well, not necessarily. Incorporating literally the latest advances in dentistry, 7 Day Dental s doctors in some cases are able to place dental implants in one procedure, referred to assingle-stage implants. There are actually circumstances where it is possible to place implants immediately after tooth extraction. While this minimizes the number of surgical procedures, it still requires a minimum of six weeks of healing before placing artificial teeth or a bridge.As more advances in dentistry occur, it is likely that the overall time required to place implants will decrease further.

Am I a candidate for implants? Very likely, you maywell be. Examples of a viable candidate are someone who is missing one or more teeth, or anyone who is unhappy with her or his dentures. A thorough oral examination is necessary, as well as a review of a patient s dental and medical history. Age is not a factor; however, diseases such as diabetes, radiation therapyat the implant site, and smoking haveall proven to reduce the success rate. At the same time, there are treatments to improve the outcome in many cases, such as bone grafting if additional bone mass is needed to enhance the bonding of the implant. However, placing implants becomes more difficult and complex the longer a tooth is missing.

Why should I seriously consider implants? This is a question only you can decide, but here are some things to consider. Your teeth affect your whole body and quality of life. A missing tooth, or teeth, can affect how you speak, how and what you are able to eat, and how you look, for starters. If you are missing teeth, the remaining teeth are going to be working harder to do the job your whole set of teeth used to do, which can and usually does cause them to wear out prematurely or become damaged.

This situation can also cause headaches and jaw pain. The inability to masticate (chew) properly often causes improper digestion of food, in some casescausing indigestion, which in itself can be serious or

even fatal in extreme cases.In addition to deteriorating health, who wants to have a deteriorating appearance? In addition to weight loss associated with improperly digested food, missing teeth can cause the cheeks to appear sucked in, making a person look gaunt. Also, the natural consequence of missing teeth is the assimilation of the jawbone tissue. What this means is that the body absorbs the area of jawbone around the missing tooth, or teeth, reducing the bone density in that area, up to about 25 percent loss in the first year alone. In more graphic terms, the jaw literally melts away. This happens because the bone of the jaw in the area of the missing tooth no longer receives the stimulation caused by the force of chewing, which in turn causes jawbone cell replacement in a healthy mouth.

The great news is that dental implants can correct the problems caused by missing or damaged teeth.Implants help to preserve the bone structure of the jaws, as well as facial structure. They serve as natural teeth, enabling you to eat properly and to feel and look your best, and they last for many years. If you are missing teeth or are facing having an extraction, consider dental implants. Both your oral surgeon and your dentist willfullyexplain the process to you.They will discuss all options with you, ensuring you have a thorough understanding of the procedure, and enabling you to make an informed decision.

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