A dental implant is a post or frame made of titanium which is surgically placed into the jawbone beneath the gum line and allows the dentist to mount any replacement teeth or a bridge into that space. A denture might become loose over time but the implants don’t. It also benefits the general oral hygiene as they do not have to be anchored to some other teeth like the bridges.
If in case you are considering or thinking about wearing implants, you must make sure that you have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. You may require a bone graft if in case you have a soft or thin bone which is unable to support the implant. If the sinuses are too close to the jaw or there is no enough height in the upper jaw, you will require a sinus lift.
These dental implants are frames or posts and act as replacement tooth roots. These implants provide a very strong foundation for removable or fixed replacement teeth which are made to match with your natural teeth.
These are several advantages and some of them are listed below:
- Improved speech – With those poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within your mouth causing you to slur or mumble the words. Whereas dental implants will help you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip.
- Improved appearance – Dental implants would feel and look like your own teeth. They become permanent as they are designed to fuse with the bones.
- Easier eating – You might find it difficult to chew with sliding dentures. Dental implants will allow you to have your favorite food items with confidence and without pain and functions like your natural teeth.
- Improved comfort – Implants would eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures and becomes a part of you.
- Durability – They are very durable and can last many years. Many implants last a lifetime with good care.
- Improved self-esteem – It would give back your smile and will help you feel better about yourself.
- Convenience – With dentures, you must have faced a lot of inconveniences. Here, the implants which you do not have to remove all the time and are not in need of the messy adhesives to keep the dentures in place.
Implants are usually more expensive than other tooth replacement methods and most of the insurance carriers cover less than 10% of the fees. The American Dental Association considers just two types of implants to be safe.
- Endosteal Implants – These implants are surgically implanted into the jawbone. After the surrounding tissue gets healed, a second surgery is required to connect a post to the implant. An artificial tooth is then attached to the frame which protrudes through the gums.
- Subperiosteal implants – This type consist of a metal frame which is fitted onto the jawbone under the gum tissue. The frame becomes fixed to the jawbone as the gums heal. With the endosteal implants, artificial teeth are mounted to the post.