Dental implants look, feel and function like natural teeth. They are a long-term solution that improves oral health and quality of life.You should also avoid bad habits like smoking or chewing tobacco, biting your nails or using your teeth as tools. This can damage the implant site and cause infection, which could lead to tooth loss. Fortunately, dental implants are very durable and have a high success rate when properly cared for by patients. This includes following post-treatment recovery instructions and avoiding detrimental habits. In addition, most dental plans cover at least part of the cost of this treatment.
During the surgery to place a dental implant, your oral surgeon makes an incision to open your gums and expose the bone. Then holes are drilled in the bone to anchor a metal post.
They Look and Feel Like Natural Teeth
Dental implants can fill in the gap of missing teeth, blending in with your natural jaw and mouth. The implant can even stimulate bone growth, helping your body maintain your natural tooth structure.
They look like real teeth and do not affect how you speak or eat. However, they do require careful oral hygiene because they are not attached to a gum line like traditional dentures. If you do not practice good oral health, your implant could become damaged and loosen over time.
They Prevent Bone Loss
When you chew and bite, the force of your teeth stimulates the jawbone to keep it strong. When a tooth is lost, the bone loses its stimulation and begins breaking down. This process is called resorption. Over time, the bone can shrink, causing a sunken face that makes you look older. Dental implants are anchored into the jawbone, preventing it from losing its density.
Dental implants are made of titanium, a material that fuses with the jawbone during a healing process known as osseointegration. Once the implant heals, a temporary crown is attached to it.
If you don’t have enough healthy jawbone for a dental implant, your dentist can perform a bone graft. The graft can use natural bone from another part of your body or synthetic bone-substitute material. A sinus lift can also raise the floor of the maxillary sinus to give you more bone for an implant. This is typically done when replacing a missing tooth in the upper back area of the mouth.
They Are Stable
Implants are fused into the jawbone, meaning they are much more stable than removable dentures or bridges. They also protect against bone loss. Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care.
A titanium, screw-shaped implant post is surgically placed into the jawbone. It then heals, fusing with the bone to form a strong foundation for the overlying crown. Depending on the treatment plan, this can occur within weeks to months.
The macrodesign of the implant – including its size and shape – plays an important role in primary stability. Implants with a larger diameter have more surface area for osseointegration, and this leads to better primary stability.
The best candidates for dental implants are adults in good overall health who have missing teeth. Younger patients may be advised to wait until their skeleton is fully developed before getting dental implants. If bone density is a concern, a preparatory bone graft can help increase the odds of success.
They Are Affordable
A dental implant is a permanent solution to missing teeth that will last a lifetime with proper oral health maintenance. This is a much more cost-effective option than traditional tooth replacement solutions such as dentures or bridges, which may require regular replacement or relining to keep them from becoming loose and falling out.
Implants are designed to look, feel and function like your natural teeth. They improve speech, eating and chewing abilities and boost confidence. They prevent bone loss and maintain the shape of your face.
Getting dental implants is a major investment in your oral health that can pay dividends down the road. However, it is important to choose a dental practice that prioritizes patient comfort and utilizes modern technology to ensure you are treated efficiently and affordably. The team at Dr. Sameh Aknouk Dental Services PC is committed to helping patients understand their insurance coverage and explore alternative financing options to help make dental implants affordable.