Missing teeth can cause many people all around the world to feel very self-conscious about the way they look. They may even avoid talking or smiling as a result of embarrassment or fear of ridicule. But with today’s dental technology, there is a solution to missing teeth – dental implants. Dental implants are small titanium bars that are placed in the patients jawbone through a small surgical procedure. They serve to replace any damaged or missing roots within the teeth as well as providing stability for any dentures or crowns. These implants will keep the new restorations and changes stable and firm during any daily process – such as chewing and speaking. There is also no need to worry about unnatural or even harmful substances in your mouth as the titanium is biocompatible. This means that the metal pins will fuse with your jawbone naturally, this is otherwise known as osseointegration. These implants function just like the natural roots of your teeth do as they were deigned impeccably. They also last for the rest of your life, with no possibility of degrading, coming out or becoming damaged. There is absolutely no need to ever go through the procedure again after you have the first time.
There are actually two different types of dental implants available today. This is because different materials and procedures exist for different afflictions. For example, Weiss replaces one missing tooth with an implant that is there to support the crown. If you are missing more than one tooth however, then an implant-retained bridge will be more suited for your needs as it would permanently fill the gap in your gum line. And finally, if you are missing an entire row of teeth, either on the top or bottom of your mouth, implant-supported dentures can be a more comfortable and less inconvenient choice over the more widely known removable dentures.
Unfortunately, it takes two surgeries to properly insert dental implants. In the first operation, the surgeon will make a small, hardly noticeable cut or incision in the gum line wherein they will insert the implant so that it may infuse with the jawbone. After this step the incision will then be sewn closed. For the next few months or so, the new dental implant will eventually fuse to the jawbone through osseointegration. During this period a temporary support or restoration will be provided for the patient. Once this process is finished, a second surgery will take place wherein something called an abutment piece is attached to the implant. And then once the gums have healed completely, the surgeons will give you a permanent restoration that will last for the rest of your life – provided it is well taken care off.
The majority of people with missing teeth are eligible for dental implants, provided they have good health and suitable density in their bones. You may not be able to undergo this procedure if you have a dangerous medical condition that could interfere with the medical process.